hazard statements
Hazard statements form part of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). They are intended to form a set of standardized phrases about the hazards of chemical substances and mixtures that can be translated into different languages.
Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
What Are Hazard statements ?
Each hazard statement is designated a code, starting with the letter H and followed by three digits. Statements which correspond to related hazards are grouped together by code number, so the numbering is not consecutive. The code is used for reference purposes, for example to help with translations, but it is the actual phrase which should appear on labels and safety data sheets.
Hazard statements form part of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). They are intended to form a set of standardized phrases about the hazards of chemical substances and mixtures that can be translated into different languages.
Hazard statements are one of the key elements for the labelling of containers under the GHS, along with:
- an identification of the product
- one or more hazard pictograms
- a signal word – either Danger or Warning – where necessary
- precautionary statements, indicating how the product should be handled to minimize risks to the user (as well as to other people and the general environment)
- the identity of the supplier (who might be a manufacturer or importer).
Physical hazards
| Code | Phrase |
|---|---|
| H200 | Unstable explosive |
| H201 | Explosive; mass explosion hazard |
| H202 | Explosive; severe projection hazard |
| H203 | Explosive; fire, blast or projection hazard |
| H204 | Fire or projection hazard |
| H205 | May mass explode in fire |
| H206 | Fire, blast or projection hazard: increased risk of explosion if desensitizing agent is reduced |
| H207 | Fire or projection hazard: increased risk of explosion if desensitizing agent is reduced |
| H208 | Fire hazard: increased risk of explosion if desensitizing agent is reduced |
| H220 | Extremely flammable gas |
| H221 | Flammable gas |
| H222 | Extremely flammable aerosol |
| H223 | Flammable aerosol |
| H224 | Extremely flammable liquid and vapour |
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour |
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour |
| H227 | Combustible liquid |
| H228 | Flammable solid |
| H229 | Pressurized container: may burst if heated |
| H230 | May react explosively even in the absence of air |
| H231 | May react explosively even in the absence of air at elevated pressure and/or temperature |
| H232 | May ignite spontaneously if exposed to air |
| H240 | Heating may cause an explosion |
| H241 | Heating may cause a fire or explosion |
| H242 | Heating may cause a fire |
| H250 | Catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air |
| H251 | Self-heating; may catch fire |
| H252 | Self-heating in large quantities; may catch fire |
| H260 | In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously |
| H261 | In contact with water releases flammable gas |
| H270 | May cause or intensify fire; oxidizer |
| H271 | May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidizer |
| H272 | May intensify fire; oxidizer |
| H280 | Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated |
| H281 | Contains refrigerated gas; may cause cryogenic burns or injury |
| H290 | May be corrosive to metals |
Health hazards
| Code | Phrase |
|---|---|
| H300 | Fatal if swallowed. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed |
| H303 | May be harmful if swallowed |
| H304 | May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways |
| H305 | May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways |
| H310 | Fatal in contact with skin |
| H311 | Toxic in contact with skin |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin |
| H313 | May be harmful in contact with skin |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation |
| H316 | Causes mild skin irritation |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction |
| H318 | Causes serious eye damage |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation |
| H320 | Causes eye irritation |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled |
| H333 | May be harmful if inhaled |
| H334 | May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness |
| H340 | May cause genetic defects |
| H341 | Suspected of causing genetic defects |
| H350 | May cause cancer |
| H351 | Suspected of causing cancer |
| H360 | May damage fertility or the unborn child |
| H361 | Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child |
| H361d | Suspected of damaging the unborn child |
| H360D | May damage the unborn child |
| H361f | Suspected of damaging fertility |
| H360F | May damage fertility |
| H362 | May cause harm to breast-fed children |
| H370 | Causes damage to organs |
| H371 | May cause damage to organs |
| H372 | Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure |
| H373 | May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure |
| H300+H310 | Fatal if swallowed or in contact with skin |
| H300+H330 | Fatal if swallowed or if inhaled |
| H310+H330 | Fatal in contact with skin or if inhaled |
| H300+H310+H330 | Fatal if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled |
| H301+H311 | Toxic if swallowed or in contact with skin |
| H301+H331 | Toxic if swallowed or if inhaled |
| H311+H331 | Toxic in contact with skin or if inhaled |
| H301+H311+H331 | Toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled |
| H302+H312 | Harmful if swallowed or in contact with skin |
| H302+H332 | Harmful if swallowed or if inhaled |
| H312+H332 | Harmful in contact with skin or if inhaled |
| H302+H312+H332 | Harmful if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled |
| H303+H313 | May be harmful if swallowed or in contact with skin |
| H303+H333 | May be harmful if swallowed or if inhaled |
| H313+H333 | May be harmful in contact with skin or if inhaled |
| H303+H313+H333 | May be harmful if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled |
| H315+H320 | Causes skin and eye irritation |
Environmental hazards
| Code | Phrase |
|---|---|
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life |
| H401 | Toxic to aquatic life |
| H402 | Harmful to aquatic life |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects |
| H411 | Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects |
| H412 | Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects |
| H413 | May cause long-lasting harmful effects to aquatic life |
| H420 | Harms public health and the environment by destroying ozone in the upper atmosphere |
| H433 | Harmful to terrestrial vertebrates |