The following is a categorization of target organ effects, which may occur from chemical exposure. Signs and symptoms of these effects and examples of chemicals that have been found to cause such effects are listed.
| Toxins | Target Organ Effect | Signs and symptoms | Example Chemicals |
| Hepatotoxins | Cause liver damage | Jaundice; liver enlargement | Nitrosamines, chloroform, toluene, perchloro-ethylene, cresol, dimethylsulfate |
| Nephrotoxins | Cause kidney damage | Edema; proteinuria | Halogenated hydrocarbons, uranium, chloroform, mercury, dimethylsulfate |
| Neurotoxins | Affect nervous system | Narcosis; behavior changes; decreased muscle coordination | Mercury, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, lead, benzene, nitrobenzene |
| Hematopoietic | Decrease blood function | Cyanosis; loss of consciousness | Carbon monoxide, cyanides, toxinitro-benzene, aniline, arsenic, benzene, toluene |
| Pulmonary toxins | Decrease blood function | Cough; tightness in chest; shortness of breath | Silica, asbestos, ozone, hydrogen sulfide, chromium, nickel, alcohols |
| Reproductive toxins | Affect the reproductive system | Birth defects; sterility | Lead, dibromodichloropropane |
| Skin hazards | Affect the dermal layer | Defatting of skin; rashes; irritation | Ketones, chlorinated compounds, alcohols, nickel, phenol, trichloroethylene |