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Target organ effects indicate which bodily organs are most likely to be affected by exposure to a substance. Casarett and Doull's Toxicology, the Basic Science of Poisons states that most chemicals that produce systemic toxicity do not cause a similar degree of toxicity in all organs but usually produce the major toxicity to one or two organs. These are referred to as target organs of toxicity for that chemical.
29 CFR 1910.1200, the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), defines two broad classes of target organ toxicity. The following two classes include all significant health effects that can impair function, both reversible and irreversible, immediate and/or delayed and not specifically addressed in sections A.1 to A.7 and A.10 of Appendix A of the HCS:
STOT without a suffix is a general shorthand for either or both STOT-SE and/or STOT-RE
An organ is a collection of tissues joined in a structural unit to serve a common function in the body. Examples include your heart, lungs, brain, kidneys, liver, skin and many more. Because different types of organs are composed of different types of tissue, each with its own unique physical properties, structure, and function, chemicals often affect different organs in different ways. For example, alcohol is processed by your liver, and repeated exposure (through chronic alcoholism) will damage the liver more than other bodily organs. And asbestos (a solid and insoluble material) which usually enters the body through inhalation can cause severe damage to the lungs, however it does no direct damage to organs it can not reach such as the brain.
Some specific examples of target organ effects, their signs/symptoms, and chemicals that can cause them are:
| System and Effects | Signs and Symptoms | Examples of such chemicals |
| Cardiovascular - produce damage to the heart and blood vessels | cardiomyopathy, increase blood pressure, decreased exercise performance | Carbon monoxide, antimony compounds |
| Cutaneous hazards - affect the dermal layer (skin) of the body | Defatting of the skin, rashes, irritation | Ketones, chlorinated compounds |
| Endocrine - affect glands such as the thyroid and production of hormones | Lowered fertility, fetotoxic effects, immune system disruption | PCB's and dioxin, bisphenol A, DDT, diethylstilbestrol (synthetic estrogen) |
| Gastrointestinal - mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum and more | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea | Heavy metals |
| Hemato-poietic agents - act on the blood or hemato-poietic system, decrease hemoglobin function, deprive the body tissues of oxygen | Cyanosis, loss of consciousness | Carbon monoxide, cyanides |
| Hepatotoxins - produce hepatic (liver) damage | Jaundice, liver enlargement | Carbon tetrachloride, nitrosamines |
| Musculoskeletal - affect the muscles and skeleton | Mottling of teeth, osteoporosis (brittle bones), arthritis | Fluorides, alkaline earths, lead |
| Nephrotoxins - produce renal (kidney) damage | Edema, proteinuria | Halogenated hydrocarbons, uranium |
| Neurotoxins - produce their primary toxic effects on the nervous system | Narcosis, behavioral changes, decrease in motor functions | Mercury, carbon disulfide |
| Ocular (eye) hazards - affect the eye or visual capacity | Conjunctivitis, corneal damage | organic solvents, acids, osmium tetroxide |
| Reproductive toxins - affect reproductive (child-producing) capabilities including chromosomal damage (mutations) and effects on fetuses (teratogenesis) | Birth defects, sterility | Lead, DBCP |
| Respiratory - Agents which irritate or damage pulmonary (lung) tissue | Cough, tightness in chest, shortness of breath | Silica, asbestos |
Substances with a STOT-SE (single exposure) are classified into three categories in Figure A.8.1 of Appendix A of the HCS:
Category 1 substances have produced significant toxicity in humans, or, on the basis of evidence from studies in experimental animals, can be presumed to have the potential to produce significant toxicity in humans following single exposure.
Category 2 substances, on the basis of evidence from studies in experimental animals, can be presumed to have the potential to be harmful to human health following single exposure.
Category 3 substances produce transient (short duration or temporary) target organ effects such as narcotic effects or respiratory tract irritation.
Substances with a STOT-RE (repeated exposure) are classified into two categories in Figure A.9.1 of Appendix A of the HCS:
Category 1 substances have produced significant toxicity in humans, or, on the basis of evidence from studies in experimental animals, can be presumed to have the potential to produce significant toxicity in humans following repeated or prolonged exposure.
Category 2 substances, on the basis of evidence from studies in experimental animals, can be presumed to have the potential to be harmful to human health following repeated or prolonged exposure.
While SDS's and OSHA refer specifically to organs that can be damaged by a substance, the medical community also refers to organs targeted by diseases or other conditions. For example, the medical literature discusses target organ damage to the brain, heart and kidneys in the context of hypertension (high blood pressure). These target organ effects can manifest themselves even before hypertension is diagnosed or progresses from the pre-hypertensive state. Other diseases/conditions target other organs, of course.
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Safety Data Sheets are required to report known target organ effects/toxicities (if any) in Section 2 of the SDS, symptoms/effects of exposure in Section 4, and any toxicological information in Section 11. It is important to recognize that under the classification system used by the HCS and GHS, Category 1 designates the greatest hazard and Categories 2, 3, and 4 indicate decreasing levels of hazard.
When working with chemicals that have target organ effects/toxicities it is critical to prevent exposure. This is especially true if you have a pre-existing condition, disease or injury to that particular organ. Read the SDS to determine the most effective personal protective equipment (PPE) for dealing with the chemical and be certain to minimize use and release of the chemical in the first place.
See also: hazard statements, health hazard, pictograms, precautionary statements, RTECS, and toxic.
Additional definitions from Google for target organ effects and target organ toxicity; definitions from OneLook for target organ effects and target organ toxicity.
Entry last updated: Monday, January 16, 2023. This page is copyright 2000-2024 by ILPI. Unauthorized duplication or posting on other web sites is expressly prohibited. Send suggestions, comments, and new entry desires (include the URL if applicable) to us by email.
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