The last hazard group for classifying chemicals we are going to explore is the Health Hazard Group. This group is divided in 10 classes which include:
1. Acute toxicity
The products that are classified in this class are fatal, toxic or harmful after inhalation, skin contact or ingestion. This class includes five toxicity categories based on LD50 (oral, dermal) or LC50 (inhalation).
2. Skin corrosion/irritation
The products of this class can cause corrosion (irreversible skin burns)or irritation (reversible).

3. Serious eye damage/eye irritation
This class includes products that can cause serious eye damage (tissue damage which is partly reversible)or eye irritation. There are two categories in this group.
4. Respiratory or skin sensitization
Respiratory sensitizers are products that might induce allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties after inhalation. Skin sensitizers may cause allergic skin response after contact.
5. Germ cell mutagenicity
The products that are classified in this class might cause or are suspected of causing permanent genetic defects (mutations) to body cells that can be heritable. There are two categories in this class.
6. Carcinogenicity
This class covers products that cause cancer or maximize its incidence. There are two categories in this class.
7. Reproductive toxicity
The products of this class might cause harmful effects on sexual function and fertility in adult males and females and are suspected of damaging the development of the unborn baby. There are two categories in this class.
8. Specific target organ toxicity – single exposure
These products cause or might cause damage to organs after a single exposure.
This class also includes a category for products that cause respiratory irritation, drowsiness or dizziness. There are two categories in this class.
9. Specific target organ toxicity – repeated exposure
This class is for products that cause or may cause damage to organs after extended or repeated exposure. There are two categories in this class.
10. Aspiration hazard
This class includes products that may be fatal if they are swallowed and enter the airways. There are two categories in this class based on the viscosity of the substances.

 

Pictograms

The following table presents the pictograms that are used for the health hazard group.

Corrosion Skin corrosion Eye damage	Skull and crossbones Acute toxicity – Oral – Dermal – Inhalation
Exclamation mark Acute toxicity – Oral, Dermal, Inhalation Skin irritation Eye irritation Skin sensitizer	Health hazard Respiratory sensitizer Germ cell mutagenicity Carcinogenicity Reproductive toxicity Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Single exposure Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Repeated exposure Aspiration hazard