How are toxic materials classified under GHS?
The goal of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is to provide a harmonized approach to classifying chemical hazards as well as communicating health and safety information (e.g. through labels and safety data sheets). The intent is to have all countries using similar chemical classification, labelling and communication guidelines in order to reduce errors and misunderstandings.
Under the GHS system, there are three major hazard groupings -- physical, health and environmental. Toxic materials are categorized under the Health Hazards. Some of the toxic and very toxic materials will have characteristics that place them in more than one class or group (e.g., the same way that a material can have multiple WHMIS symbols).
The GHS system has set up a method for classifying toxic and very toxic materials using the following health hazard classes:
acute toxicity (e.g. LD50, LC50)
skin irritation/corrosion
serious eye damage/eye irritation
respiratory or skin sensitization
mutagens (material known or suspected to cause changes to cells)
carcinogens (material known or suspected to cause cancer)
reproductive toxicity (material known or suspected to cause a negative impact on reproductive functions (male or female) or on a developing fetus)
specific target organ toxicity - single exposure (materials that produce an adverse effect on one or more organ systems in the body after a single exposure)
specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure (materials that produce an adverse effect on one or more organ systems in the body after repeated exposure)
aspiration hazard (a liquid or solid material that may enter the body's respiratory system directly through the nose or mouth)
chemical mixtures