WARNING indicates the pesticide product is moderately toxic if eaten, absorbed through the skin, inhaled, or it causes moderate eye or skin irritation.
Hazard level warning labels
Indicates severe injury or death certain to occur if not avoided. Reserved for the most severe situations, often accompanied by symbols or pictograms that are universally recognized to quickly convey the risks involved even if the language is not recognized by the viewer. Warning!
The health hazard pictogram indicates a product contains chemicals that may cause health effects in humans, including cancer, gene mutation, reproductive health effects, respiratory sensitivity, and organ toxicity. Source: OSHA.
Labels contain information on the identity and proportions of the hazardous chemical and its constituents or ingredients. They also contain information on the hazards of the chemical, precautions to be followed during its use, handling and storage, and instructions for the safe disposal of the chemical.
This means that the product is moderately toxic either orally, dermally, or through inhalation, or it causes moderate eye and skin irritation. AVISO, the Spanish word for WARNING, must also appear on the label. DANGER. This means that the product is highly toxic by at least one route of entry into the body.
If the pesticide can severely hurt your eyes or skin, the label will say something like “Corrosive, causes eye and skin damage.” If the pesticide can make you very sick, the label will have a skull- and-crossbones symbol and the word “POISON.”
The signal word can be either: DANGER, WARNING or CAUTION. Products with the DANGER signal word are the most toxic. Products with the signal word CAUTION are lower in toxicity. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires a signal word on most pesticide product labels.
The Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations list the labelling and informational requirements for these products. For example, the label is to provide information about the hazard, precautionary and first aid measures, and other instructions.
The label WARNING on a chemical container most accurately signifies that the hazards associated with the chemical can cause serious injury. This means that the chemical can cause harm to humans and may require immediate medical attention if it comes into contact with the skin, eyes, or if it is ingested or inhaled.
Appropriate language should be used that informs the user of the level of risk involved. For potentially fatal consequences of a given action, the warning label should use "Danger." A "Danger" label should be used to warn of the risks of diving into a shallow pool.
There are only two words used as signal words, “Danger” and “Warning.” Within a specific hazard class, “Danger” is used for the more severe hazards and “Warning” is used for the less severe hazards.
Working with chemicals is dangerous and poses many risks, including chemical poisoning and burns. Informing yourself on the chemical safety basics helps prevent chemical-related injuries.
By law, a warning must be given for listed chemicals unless the exposure is low enough to pose no significant risk of cancer or is significantly below levels observed to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Learn about how businesses can comply with Proposition 65.
Warnings: This tells you reasons you should not take it and other safety information. Continued warnings: Information about taking this medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding is included under warnings.
Similarly, some foods contain Proposition 65-listed chemicals. This does not mean that these foods should never be eaten. But interested consumers can decide what and how often to eat certain foods if they wish to reduce their exposure to these chemicals.
DANGER means if the danger is not avoided, it will cause death or serious injury. WARNING means if the warning is not heeded, it can cause death or serious injury. CAUTION means if the precaution is not taken, it may cause minor or moderate injury.
A GHS hazard pictogram consists of a black and white symbol surrounded by a red diamond. The hazard pictograms applicable to your chemical must be printed on the label in color. These pictograms are meant to warn hazardous chemical users about the potential hazards of the chemical.
Colors are used to further distinguish the hazards, with red referring to flammability, blue referring to health, and yellow referring to instability. Severity is indicated by a numerical rating that ranges from 0 (as the minimal hazard) to 4 (as a severe hazard).
Is it safe to use products with this warning? Most likely, yes. Just because you see a Proposition 65 warning doesn't mean the product will harm you.
These Notices alleged that seaweed and seafood products contain arsenic, cadmium and/or lead (and related compounds) and therefore require a Prop 65 warning.
Is it safe to wear clothing with a Prop 65 warning label? No, it is probably not safe to wear clothing with a Prop 65 warning label. Considering so many healthier options are available, it is best to avoid clothing made with and containing toxic chemicals at levels known to cause cancer and birth defects.
Warning Labels
Warning: Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury. Use Warning Labels for machinery hazards; in practice, most labels you see around guarded equipment use the Warning Header.
There are three levels within the AWS - Advice, Watch and Act and Emergency Warning. For each level, there are a series of clear action statements to guide positive action by the community. These include 'stay informed', 'prepare to evacuate' and 'move to higher ground'.
Warning labels should clearly and concisely convey the potential hazards associated with a product. They may include information about toxic substances, choking hazards, flammability, electrical dangers, or any other risks that consumers need to be aware of.