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Chemical hazard symbols

Chemical hazard symbols

Chemicals are everywhere and we use them on a day-to-day basis.

People handling chemicals may notice  red diamond pictures, or pictograms, on the labels of these containers. What do these diamonds mean to us? They tell us what the hazards are that for the person using the chemical.

Pictograms are important because they give people a quick, clear way to recognize the hazards of a chemical without needing to read through details on the label. 

chemical container with visible chemical pictograms

Corrosion

These chemicals cause permanent damage to skin or eyes. These chemicals destroy metals.

  • Hazards - Skin corrosion and/or burns, eye damage, corrosive to metals
  • Common examples - Drain cleaners, rust removers, pool chemicals, oven cleaners, battery acids
Corrosion chemical pictogram. These chemicals cause permanent damage to skin or eyes. These chemicals destroy metals.

Environment

These chemicals are dangerous if they get into rivers, lakes or oceans.

  • Hazards - Aquatic toxicity
  • Common examples - Garden pesticides, weed killers
Environment chemical pictogram. These chemicals are dangerous if they get into rivers, lakes or oceans.

Exclamation mark

These chemicals cause health problems. Usually less toxic than chemicals labeled with with the Health Hazard or Skull and Cross-bone pictograms. This pictogram is also used for chemicals that can destroy the ozone layer.

  • Hazards - Irritant (skin and eye), skin sensitizer, acute roxicity (harmful), narcotic effects, respiratory tract irritant, hazardous to ozone layer
  • Common examples - Ammonia, isopropyl alcohol, specialized heavy-duty cleaners
Exclamation point chemical pictogram. These chemicals cause health problems. Usually less toxic than chemicals labeled with with the Health Hazard or Skull and Cross bone pictograms. This pictogram is also used for chemicals that can destroy the ozone layer.

Exploding bomb

These chemicals can explode.

  • Hazards - Explosive, self-reactive, organic peroxide
  • Common examples - Aerosol cans (if heated), fireworks, MEKP (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide) used in fiberglass resin
Exploding bomb chemical pictogram. These chemicals can explode.

Flame

These chemicals burn or can release gases that burn.

  • Hazards - Flammable, pyrophoric, self-heating, emits flammable gas, self-reactive, organic peroxides
  • Common examples - Gasoline, spray paint, WD-40
Flame chemical pictogram. These chemicals burn or can release gases that burn.

Flame over circle

These chemicals give off oxygen and can make a fire spread.

  • Hazards - Oxidizers
  • Common examples -  bleach, pool chlorine, hot tub chemicals, fertilizers
Flame over circle chemical pictogram. These chemicals give off oxygen and can make a fire spread.

Gas cylinder

Gases and liquids under pressure can explode. This pictogram is used for both pressurized gases and liquefied gases such as liquid nitrogen.

  • Hazards - Gases under pressure
  • Common examples - Propane torch, Helium, butane lighters, welding equipment, propane tanks
Gas Cylinder Chemical Pictogram. Gases and liquids under pressure can explode. This pictogram is used for both pressurized gases and liquefied gases such as liquid nitrogen.

Health hazard

These chemicals cause serious health problems. Some problems show up immediately, but some may show up much later.

  • Hazards - Carcinogen, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory sensitizer, target organ toxicity, aspiration toxicity
  • Common examples - Paint thinner, wood preservatives
Health hazard chemical pictogram. These chemicals cause serious health problems. Some problems show up immediately, but some may show up much later.

Skull and cross-bone

These chemicals are poisons that quickly cause sickness or death. A toxin may attack one or more parts of the body, such as the liver, kidneys, nerves, lungs, skin, eyes, or bone.

  • Hazards - Acute toxicity (fatal or toxic)
  • Common examples - Insect killers, animal poisons, certain pesticides
Skull and Cross-bone chemical pictogram. These chemicals are poisons that quickly cause sickness or death. A toxin may attack one or more parts of the body, such as the liver, kidneys, nerves, lungs, skin, eyes, or bone.