Understanding Chemical Hazards and R-Phrases

Posted on Feb 24, 2025 in Biotechnology

Explosion Risks

  • R1: Explosive when dry.
  • R2: Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire, or other sources of ignition.
  • R3: Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire, or other sources of ignition.
  • R4: Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds.
  • R5: Heating may cause an explosion.
  • R6: Explosive with or without contact with air.
  • R9: Explosive when mixed with combustible material.
  • R44: Risk of explosion if heated under confinement.

Flammability Risks

  • R7: May cause fire.
  • R8: Contact with combustible material may cause fire.
  • R10: Flammable.
  • R11: Highly flammable.
  • R12: Extremely flammable.
  • R15: Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases.
  • R17: Spontaneously flammable in air.
  • R18: In use, may form flammable/explosive vapor-air mixture.
  • R30: Can become highly flammable in use.

Reactivity Risks

  • R14: Reacts violently with water.
  • R14/15: Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely flammable gases.
  • R15/29: Contact with water liberates toxic, extremely flammable gases.
  • R16: Explosive when mixed with oxidizing substances.
  • R19: May form explosive peroxides.
  • R29: Contact with water liberates toxic gas.
  • R31: Contact with acids liberates toxic gas.
  • R32: Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas.

Health Risks

Inhalation

  • R20: Harmful by inhalation.
  • R23: Toxic by inhalation.
  • R26: Very toxic by inhalation.
  • R37: Irritating to respiratory system.
  • R42: May cause sensitization by inhalation.
  • R49: May cause cancer by inhalation.
  • R67: Vapors may cause drowsiness and vertigo.
  • R20/22: Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed.

Skin Contact

  • R21: Harmful in contact with skin.
  • R24: Toxic in contact with skin.
  • R27: Very toxic in contact with skin.
  • R34: Causes burns.
  • R35: Causes severe burns.
  • R38: Irritating to skin.
  • R43: May cause sensitization by skin contact.
  • R66: Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.
  • R20/21: Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin.

Ingestion

  • R22: Harmful if swallowed.
  • R25: Toxic if swallowed.
  • R28: Very toxic if swallowed.
  • R65: Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed.

Eye Contact

  • R36: Irritating to eyes.
  • R41: Risk of serious damage to eyes.

Other Health Effects

  • R33: Danger of cumulative effects.
  • R39: Danger of very serious irreversible effects.
  • R40: Possible risk of cancer.
  • R45: May cause cancer.
  • R46: May cause heritable genetic damage.
  • R48: Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure.
  • R60: May impair fertility.
  • R61: May cause harm to the unborn child.
  • R62: Possible risk of impaired fertility.
  • R63: Possible risk of harm to the unborn child.
  • R64: May cause harm to breast-fed babies.
  • R68: Possible risk of irreversible effects.

Environmental Risks

  • R50: Very toxic to aquatic organisms.
  • R51: Toxic to aquatic organisms.
  • R52: Harmful to aquatic organisms.
  • R53: May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
  • R54: Toxic to flora.
  • R55: Toxic to fauna.
  • R56: Toxic to soil organisms.
  • R57: Toxic to bees.
  • R58: May cause long-term adverse effects in the environment.
  • R59: Dangerous for the ozone layer.