Hazard statement that must be noted in the GHS label of styrene?

Under the framework of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), styrene, as a common industrial chemical, must be labeled in strict accordance with GHS standards. The GHS label is not only an important tool for chemical safety management and risk communication, but also the key to ensure that users can correctly understand the potential hazards of chemicals. This article will analyze in detail the hazard statement that must be marked in the GHS label of styrene.

1. Styrene chemical properties and application background

Styrene (C≡H∞CH = CH₂) is a colorless, flammable liquid with a special fragrance. It is widely used in the production of plastics, rubber, fibers, coatings and resins, and is also used in the manufacture of various daily necessities, such as polystyrene foam, ABS resin and glass fiber reinforced plastic. Because of its wide range of industrial applications, the safety management of styrene is particularly important.

2. Styrene Hazard Classification and Labeling Requirements

According to GHS standards, styrene is classified as a flammable gas or liquid and may cause potential harm to the environment and human health. The following hazard statements must be clearly marked on the GHS label:

2.1 flammability Styrene has a high degree of flammability, especially in the gaseous state, when its vapor is mixed with air, it is easy to form an explosive mixture. Therefore, the GHS label must be marked with a hazard statement of "flammable gas" or "flammable liquid. The label should also include a pictogram, such as a flame icon, to remind the user that the substance is flammable.

2.2 health hazards Styrene is harmful to health. Short-term or long-term exposure may cause acute symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and nausea, while long-term exposure may cause damage to the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys. Therefore, in the GHS label, must be marked with "may be harmful to health" or "long-term or short-term exposure may be harmful" risk statement.

2.3 environmental hazards Styrene is toxic to aquatic organisms and may have long-term effects on the environment. Therefore, in the GHS label, it is also necessary to mark the "harmful to aquatic organisms" risk statement. This label reminds users that when handling and storing styrene, measures should be taken to prevent its leakage and pollution to the environment.

3. Styrene hazard description of the practical application

In practical applications, the hazard statement for styrene must be clearly, concisely and easily understood on the label. This means that the label should not only have a text description, but also a corresponding pictogram and signal words. For example:

• Signal word: usually "danger" or "warning", according to the specific hazard level of styrene.
• Pictograms: Includes a flame icon (indicating flammability), a skull and crossbones icon (indicating a health hazard), and an exclamation point icon (indicating an environmental hazard).
• Hazard description: such as "flammable gas" "may be harmful to health" "harmful to aquatic organisms".

4. The importance of complying with GHS labeling standards

The accuracy and completeness of the GHS label is essential for the safety management and risk control of chemicals. For styrene, the correct labeling of its hazard statement not only meets the requirements of international regulations, but also effectively reduces the potential risks of chemicals during transportation, storage and use. Clear labels also help users quickly identify and respond to potential hazards in an emergency.

The GHS label for styrene must contain sufficient hazard information to ensure that the user is fully aware of its potential hazards and takes appropriate safety measures. Practitioners in the chemical industry should strictly abide by GHS standards to ensure the accuracy and standardization of labels, thereby improving the overall safety of chemical management.