3.9.1.: Definitions and general considerations

3.9.1.1. Target organ toxicity (repeated exposure) means specific, target organ toxicity arising from a repeated exposure to a substance or mixture. All significant health effects that can impair function, both reversible and irreversible, immediate and/or delayed are included. However, other specific toxic effects that are specifically addressed in sections 3.1 to 3.8 and 3.10 are not included here.
3.9.1.2. Classification for target organ toxicity (repeated exposure) identifies the substance ►M2  or mixture ◄ as being a specific target organ toxicant and, as such, it may present a potential for adverse health effects in people who are exposed to it.
3.9.1.3. These adverse health effects include consistent and identifiable toxic effects in humans, or, in experimental animals, toxicologically significant changes which have affected the function or morphology of a tissue/organ, or have produced serious changes to the biochemistry or haematology of the organism and these changes are relevant for human health.
3.9.1.4. Assessment shall take into consideration not only significant changes in a single organ or biological system but also generalised changes of a less severe nature involving several organs.
3.9.1.5. Specific target organ toxicity can occur by any route that is relevant for humans, i.e. principally oral, dermal or inhalation.
3.9.1.6. Non-lethal toxic effects observed after a single-event exposure are classified as described in Specific target organ toxicity — Single exposure (section 3.8) and are therefore excluded from section 3.9.