Corrosives can cause severe tissue damage on contact. Which effect is characteristic of corrosives?

• A. Severe skin burns and eye damage
• B. Only mild skin irritation
• C. Non-reactive with metals
• D. Low flammability

Answer: (A)

Corrosives cause tissue destruction on contact, so the defining effect is severe skin burns and eye damage. When a corrosive touches skin or eyes, it rapidly damages cells and tissues, leading to painful burns and potentially permanent injury. This is why handling these substances requires immediate protective measures like gloves and goggles and prompt decontamination if exposure occurs. The other statements don’t fit because they downplay the most characteristic hazard, either suggesting only mild irritation, implying no reaction with metals (many corrosives do react with metals), or focusing on flammability, which isn’t what defines corrosives.