This MedLibrary.org supplementary page on Risk and Safety Statements is provided directly from the open source Wikipedia as a service to our readers. Please see the note below on authorship of this content, as well as the Wikipedia usage guidelines. To search for other content from our encyclopedia supplement, please use the form below:
Related Sponsors
Risk and Safety Statements, also known as R/S statements, R/S numbers, R/S phrases, and R/S sentences, is a system of hazard codes and phrases for labeling dangerous chemicals and compounds. The R/S statement of a compound consists of a risk part (R) and a safety part (S), each followed by a combination of numbers. Each number corresponds to a phrase. The phrase corresponding to the letter/number combination has the same meaning in different languages—see 'in other languages' on the left.
Example
The R/S statement code for fuming hydrochloric acid (37%):
- R: 34-37 S: 26-36-45.
The corresponding English language phrases:
- Risks
- R: 34 Causes burns
- R: 37 Irritating to the respiratory system.
- Safety
- S: 26 In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.
- S: 36 Wear suitable protective clothing.
- S: 45 In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show label where possible).
Dashes separate the phrase numbers. They are not to be confused with range indicators.
- Example: R: 34-37 Causes burns, irritating to the respiratory system.
Slashes indicate fixed combinations of single phrases.
- Example: R: 36/37/38 Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.
More detailed hazard and safety information can be found in the material safety data sheets (MSDS) of a compound.
See also
External links
- Chemical Risk & Safety Phrases in 22 European Languages
- List of R/S statements at Sigma-Aldrich
- Australian hazardous substances information system
- European Union commission directive 2001/59/EC (PDF)
- European Chemical Bureau Classification and Labelling Homepage
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 25 August 2008, at 14:03.
Wikipedia Authorship and Review
Wikipedia content provided here is not reviewed directly by MedLibrary.org. Wikipedia content is authored by an open community of volunteers and is not produced by or in any way affiliated with MedLibrary.org.
Wikipedia Usage Guidelines
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article on "Risk and Safety Statements".
The URL for this specific entry is:
All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details). Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.