Which symbol identifies Harmful or Fatal?

Which symbol identifies Harmful or Fatal?

• A. Radioactive
• B. Biohazardous/Infectious
• C. Harmful or Fatal
• D. Explosion Hazard

Answer: (C)

Pictograms on chemical labels convey specific hazards. The skull-and-crossbones symbol signals acute toxicity, meaning the substance can cause harm or death from a single or short exposure, through ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption. It communicates a severe health risk and the need for protective measures or avoiding exposure altogether. This is why it’s the symbol associated with harmful or fatal effects. The other symbols indicate different hazards: the radioactive trefoil warns of radioactive materials, the biohazard symbol indicates infectious biological hazards, and the explosion symbol signals reactive or explosive hazards. They aren’t about acute toxicity, which is why they don’t represent harmful or fatal in this context.

Pictograms on chemical labels convey specific hazards. The skull-and-crossbones symbol signals acute toxicity, meaning the substance can cause harm or death from a single or short exposure, through ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption. It communicates a severe health risk and the need for protective measures or avoiding exposure altogether. This is why it’s the symbol associated with harmful or fatal effects.

The other symbols indicate different hazards: the radioactive trefoil warns of radioactive materials, the biohazard symbol indicates infectious biological hazards, and the explosion symbol signals reactive or explosive hazards. They aren’t about acute toxicity, which is why they don’t represent harmful or fatal in this context.