Health Hazard Classes

The health hazard classes outlined by the GHS are defined as follows:

Acute toxicity refers to those adverse health effects occurring following oral or dermal administration of a single dose of a substance, or multiple doses given within 24 hours, or an inhalation exposure of four hours.

Skin corrosion means the production of irreversible damage to the skin following the application of a test substance for up to 4 hours.

Skin irritation means the production of reversible damage to the skin following the application of a test substance for up to 4 hours.

Serious eye damage refers to the production of tissue damage in the eye, or serious physical decay of vision, following application of a test substance to the front surface of the eye, which is not fully reversible within 21 days of application.

Respiratory sensitizer means a substance that induces hypersensitivity of the airways following inhalation of the substance.

Skin sensitizer means a substance that will induce an allergic response following skin contact.

Carcinogen refers to any chemical substance that can induce cancer or increase its incidence.

Reproductive toxins can cause systemic health effects. These chemicals damage the reproductive system and can lead to infertility, malformations of an embryo or fetus, and cell mutations.

Specific target organ toxicity (STOT) refers to a substance that impairs the function to a body organ.

Aspiration means the entry of a liquid or solid chemical product into the trachea and lower respiratory system directly through the oral or nasal cavity, or indirectly from vomiting.

Simple asphyxiant refers to a substance or mixture that displaces oxygen in the ambient atmosphere, and can thus cause oxygen deprivation in those who are exposed, leading to unconsciousness and death.

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