Danger symbols

Category of danger Indication of danger Symbol Symbol letter... 

All chemical substances have to be evaluated to decide if they are classified as dangerous according to the requirements of the DSD. These dangerous properties are communicated to the user by standardised labelling, which consists of a dangerous symbol, information on hazardous properties (risk, R phrases) and advice on safety (S phrases). 

Marking of hazardous substances by standardized danger symbols (usually on the packaging provided by the respective manufacturer). Important symbols are shown in Figure 7.19. 

Worker safety, according to recent social science research, is apparently enhanced by labeling only for major hazards and by establishing a general danger symbol, perhaps patterned on NFPA s 704 System or the DOT/UN Hazard Diamond Labels, l ile detailed labels do increase the amount of information available, they also raise anxiety levels and probably reduce reader retention and understemding. 

Not every dangerous property can be characterized by its own danger symbol, a consequence of the fact that there are only 10 danger symbols for 15 dangerous properties. Therefore the correct classification of substances or preparations cannot be deduced from the danger symbol or the indication of danger that it represents. 

The danger symbol and the wording of the indications of danger form part of the labeling. 

Substances which have lethal effects in very low amounts or can lead to very severe diseases are regarded as very toxic. For labeling very toxic substances and preparations, the relevant R-phrases, the skull-and-crossbones danger symbol, T+ , and the indication of danger very toxic are used. The scientific criteria for the classification are summarized in Table 3.1. 

Corrosive substances destroy the skin and can produce necrosis. Although there is only one danger symbol, a corrosive property must be distinguished from a very corrosive property by the use of different R-phrases. The following time-dependent differences exist ... 

As a consequence of the various hazards, a sensitizer has to be labeled with different danger symbols as well as different R-phrases. 

Respiratory allergens are labeled with the danger symbol Xn (harmful) and with the R-phrase 42. 

In contrast, dermal allergens are given the danger symbol Xi (irritant) and the R-phrase 43. 

The different danger symbols express the fact that the danger to health of skin and inhalation sensitization are not equal. An asthmatic shock resulting from exposure to a respiratory allergen can have fatal effects. These severe reactions are not known from skin allergens. 

Developmental toxic substances of category 1 or 2 have to be labeled with the danger symbol Tand the indication of danger toxic . In order to distinguish from the other toxic properties, the R-phrase R 61 has to be used. 

Substances which can impair the fertility are classified as toxic to reproduction. Following the general rules mentioned in Section 3.3.1, substances of category 1 and 2 are labeled with the danger symbol T and the indication of danger "toxic . The reproductive property is expressed with the R-phrase R 60. 

For classification of carcinogens in categories 1 and 2, the danger symbol T with the danger identification toxic and the R-phrases 45 or 49 have to be used. R 49 Hmits usage in which there is an inhala-tive cancer risk of the respiratory tract caused from dust, fibers, or H-quid aerosols. Typical examples are asbestos, chromium(Vl) compounds, and cadmium chloride. 

Substances of category 3, both 3 a and 3 b, have to be labeled with the danger symbol St Andrew s cross Xn, the danger identification harmful, and the R-phrase R 40. 

Substances classified as mutagenic category 3 have to be assigned the danger symbol St. Andrew s Cross, the danger identification harmfiil, and the risk phrase R 68. 

Substances are classified as environmentally toxic and labeled with the danger symbol N and the danger identification environmentally toxic, if they are... 

Liquid substances with a flash point between 21 and 55 °C are classified as flammable. For labeling, only R 10 is required, without a danger symbol. It is important to note that the flammable classification is the only example of a hazardous property without a danger symbol. 

Oxidizing substances have to be labeled with the danger symbol oxidizing ring , the acronym O, and one of the following R-phrases ... 

Substance identity EC-No CAS-No Classification danger symbol R-phrases Labeling danger symbol R-phrase S-phrase Concentration limits in % Classification/ labeling danger symbol R-phrase... 

The danger symbols must signal the most important hazard and therefore have the effect of a first important announcement. On the other hand the R- and S-phrases are more addressed to informed people. Every package of dangerous substances or preparations should have a clear and indehble label with the following elements, laid down in the above-mentioned Directives ... 

The danger symbols and the wording of the indication of danger have to be concordant with aimex II of Directive 67/548/EEC [4-1]. In order to limit the number of danger symbols, the following ranking is relevant ... 

Once more it should be emphasized that the danger symbol cannot express the properties of a substance in most cases. For the following properties, the danger symbol Tis also used ... 

Even the danger symbol irritant Xi is also used for dermal sensitizers ... 

Table 4.1 summarizes all toxicological properties, their danger symbols, and the adjusted R-phrases. 

The choice of the danger symbols follows the same rules as those described for dangerous substances in the previous paragraph, and also for the selection of the R-phrases, S-phrases, and name of the company. 

The classification of the substance or preparation should be expressed in this section by the danger symbol and the R-phrases. 

The hazards described in Section 2 should correspond to relevant R-phrases, hazard statements, safety phrases and/or precautionary statements in Section 16 (written as full text), and should be in accordance with the indications of danger (symbols) stated in Section 16. 

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