Which hazard category best describes agents that cause damage to specific organs?

• A. Eye Hazards
• B. Target Organ Toxicants
• C. Mutagens
• D. Carcinogens

Answer: (B)

Organ-specific toxicity is the idea here: some substances mainly harm a particular organ. The category that best fits agents causing damage to specific organs is target organ toxicants, because the toxicity is centered on a specific organ due to how the substance is absorbed, distributed, and metabolized, or due to the organ’s particular susceptibility. Eye hazards refer specifically to substances that injure the eyes, mutagens cause genetic mutations, and carcinogens increase cancer risk. An agent could affect multiple organs or have other effects, but when the focus is on harm in a specific organ, target organ toxicants is the most direct descriptor.