What property describes a material's ability to cause damage on contact with skin or clothing?

Corrosivity is the property that specifically refers to a material's capacity to cause damage upon contact with skin or clothing. Corrosive substances can lead to chemical burns, tissue damage, or other harm by reacting with biological tissues. This reactivity often results in visible damage or pain where the substance has made contact, which is why it is critical to identify and handle corrosive materials with appropriate safety measures, such as using personal protective equipment.

In contrast, flammability pertains to the ability of a substance to ignite and burn in the presence of a flame or heat source, which does not directly relate to damage inflicted upon contact with surfaces. Toxicity involves the harmful effects a substance can have when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed by the body, but it doesn't describe the immediate impact on skin or clothing. Ignitability refers to a substance's propensity to catch fire under normal conditions, which also does not correlate with contact-related damage. Understanding the definition of corrosivity is essential for safe handling practices in environments where hazardous materials are present.