Hazard statements

(Hazard statements / H 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. As such, they serve the same purpose as the well-known R-phrases, which they already have replace.

Hazard statements are one of the key elements for the labelling of containers under the GHS, along with

· One or more hazard pictograms (where necessary)
· 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)

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.

Physical hazards:
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
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
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:
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 (Define route if it is finally shown that the danger can not be generated by any other
               exposure).
H341           Suspected of causing genetic defects (Define route if it is finally shown that the danger can not generated by any other route).
H350           May cause cancer (Define route if it is finally shown that the danger can not generated by any other route).
H351           Suspected of causing cancer (Define route if it is finally shown that the danger can not generated by any other route).
H360           May damage fertility or the unborn child (angiv specifik effekt, hvis kendt) (Define route if it is finally shown that the 
               danger can not generated by any other route)
H361           Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child (angiv specifik effekt, hvis kendt) (Define route if it is finally shown 
               that the danger can not generated by any other route).
H361d          Suspected of damaging the unborn child (Define route if it is finally shown that the danger can not generated by any other route)
H362           May cause harm to breast-fed children
H370            Causes damage to organs (or state all organs affected, if known) (Define route if it is finally shown that the danger can not 
               generated by any other route).
H371           May cause damage to organs (or state all organs affected, if known) (Define route if it is finally shown that the danger can 
               not generated by any other route).
H372           Causes damage to organs (or state all organs affected, if known) through prolonged or repeated exposure (Define route 
               if it is finally shown that the danger can not generated by any other route).
H373           May cause damage to organs (or state all organs affected, if known) through prolonged or repeated exposure (Define 
               route if it is finally shown that the danger can not generated by any other route).

Environmental hazards:
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

The European Union:

The European Union has implemented the GHS through the CLP Regulation. Nevertheless, the older system based on the Dangerous Substances Directive will continue to be used in parallel until 2016. Some R-phrases which do not have simple equivalents under the GHS have been retained under the CLP Regulation: the numbering mirrors the number of the previous R-phrase.

Physical properties:
EUH 001      Explosive when dry
EUH 006      Explosive with or without contact with air
EUH 014      Reacts violently with water
EUH 018      In use may form flammable/explosive vapour-air mixture
EUH 019      May form explosive peroxides
EUH 044      Risk of explosion if heated under confinement
Health properties:
EUH 029      Contact with water liberates toxic gas
EUH 031      Contact with acids liberates toxic gas
EUH 032      Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas
EUH 066      Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking
EUH 070      Toxic by eye contact
EUH 071       Corrosive to the respiratory tract
Environmental properties:
EUH 059      Hazardous to the ozone layer; superseded by GHS Class 5.1 in the second adaptation to technical progress of CLP.

 Other EU hazard statements:

Some other hazard statements intended for use in very specific circumstances have also been retained under the CLP Regulation. Note that, in this case, the numbering of the EU specific hazard statements can coincide with GHS hazard statements if the “EU” prefix is not included.

EUH 201/201A   Contains lead. Should not be used on surfaces liable to be chewed or sucked by children. Warning! Contains lead.
EUH 202        Cyanoacrylate. Danger. Bonds skin and eyes in seconds. Keep out of the reach of children.
EUH 203        Contains chromium(VI). May produce an allergic reaction.
EUH 204        Contains isocyanates. May produce an allergic reaction.
EUH 205        Contains epoxy constituents. May produce an allergic reaction.
EUH 206        Warning! Do not use together with other products. May release dangerous gases (chlorine).
EUH 207        Warning! Contains cadmium. Dangerous fumes are formed during use. See information supplied by the manufacturer. Comply with 
               the safety instructions.
EUH 208        Contains (name of sensitising substance). May produce an allergic reaction.
EUH 209/209A   Can become highly flammable in use. Can become flammable in use.
EUH 210        Safety data sheet available on request.
EUH 401        To avoid risks to human health and the environment, comply with the instructions for use.

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