Acute exposure is a short contact with a chemical. It may last a few seconds or a few hours. For example, it might take a few minutes to clean windows with ammonia, use nail polish remover or spray a can of paint. The fumes someone might inhale during these activities are examples of acute exposures.

What is an acute exposure OSHA?

Acute (short-term) effects show up immediately or soon after exposure to the chemical. They may be minor, like nose or throat irritation, or they could be serious, like eye damage or passing out from chemical vapors.

What is acute exposure to hazardous materials?

An acute exposure is a short-term exposure (lasting for minutes, hours or days-less than 14 days). An acute health effect is an effect that develops immediately or within minutes, hours or even days after an exposure.