Acute Toxicity: Skull and Crossbones
The skull and crossbones pictogram indicates substances that are fatal or toxic through a single or short-term exposure via ingestion, skin contact, or inhalation.
GHS06 represents the most severe acute toxicity categories (1, 2, and 3). These are substances that can cause death or serious harm from a single exposure or exposures within a 24-hour period.
The route of exposure matters: a substance may be highly toxic by inhalation but not by skin contact. The SDS will specify the LD50/LC50 values for each route.
Important priority rule: when GHS06 (Skull and Crossbones) appears on a label, GHS07 (Exclamation Mark) should NOT appear for the same health endpoint, as the more severe hazard takes precedence.
Hazard Classes
- Acute Toxicity — Oral (Cat. 1-3)
- Acute Toxicity — Dermal (Cat. 1-3)
- Acute Toxicity — Inhalation (Cat. 1-3)
Common Examples
- Methanol (ingestion)
- Hydrogen cyanide
- Arsenic compounds
- Nicotine (pure)
- Sodium azide
- Phosphine gas
Hazard Statements
- H300: Fatal if swallowed
- H310: Fatal in contact with skin
- H330: Fatal if inhaled
- H301: Toxic if swallowed
- H311: Toxic in contact with skin
- H331: Toxic if inhaled
LD50 → Toxicity Category
LD50/LC50 → Acute Toxicity Category
Enter the LD50 or LC50 value to determine the acute toxicity category.
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