Common signs of exposure to corrosive substances and to strong acids or bases.

• A. Skin and eye burns, irritation, redness; coughing or throat pain; difficulty breathing; chest tightness or wheeze; possible blistering or tissue damage
• B. Headache only
• C. Nausea only
• D. Hearing loss

Answer: (A)

Exposure to corrosive substances, such as strong acids or bases, typically causes immediate local tissue injury and airway irritation. When skin or eyes are exposed, you see burning, redness, pain, and often irritation, with the possibility of blistering or tissue damage if contact is prolonged. If vapors are inhaled, the airways become irritated, leading to coughing, throat pain, and, in more exposed cases, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, or wheezing. These signs reflect the destructive potential of corrosives on skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract.

Headache, nausea, or hearing loss are not the hallmark signs of acute corrosive exposure. They may occur with other hazards or in different contexts, but they do not represent the typical immediate pattern of skin/eye irritation and respiratory symptoms seen with corrosive contact.