Which of the following is an example of acute health effects?

Acute health effects are those that appear shortly after exposure to a hazardous substance and typically resolve after the exposure has ceased. In this context, skin irritation following chemical exposure is a prime example because it manifests quickly and is often related directly to the substance involved. Such irritation can occur within minutes to hours after contact, and while it may be uncomfortable, it generally subsides once the irritant is removed.

In contrast, other options describe chronic conditions that develop over a longer period. Long-term respiratory issues, for example, often arise from prolonged exposure to harmful substances and manifest over time rather than immediately. The development of chronic illnesses and mental health disorders from prolonged exposure also highlight conditions that take time to develop and are not classified as acute. Thus, skin irritation is accurately identified as an acute health effect due to its immediate response to hazardous exposure.