GHS hazard statement
H290: May be corrosive to metals
- H290
- Physical hazards
- Warning
H290 means “May be corrosive to metals”. It is a GHS hazard statement for Corrosive to Metals (Category 1), shown with GHS05 under the signal word “Warning”.
Hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | Pictogram | Signal word | UN transport class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosive to Metals | Category 1 |  | Warning | Class 8 |
What H290 means
A substance or mixture is corrosive to metals if it may materially damage or even destroy metals by chemical action.
The material can eat through metal containers, tanks, shelving and equipment, leading to leaks and equipment failure. It may also be corrosive to skin and eyes, which is classified separately.
What to do
Keep in the original, corrosion-resistant container, and absorb any spillage promptly to prevent material damage.
This is general guidance for the hazard class. The safety data sheet for your product always takes precedence.
Precautionary statements for H290
The GHS lists these precautionary statements for this hazard. Which ones appear on a label depends on the supplier's classification.
Chemicals carrying H290
1 chemical in our database. Classification comes from each chemical's primary GHS source, so a supplier's SDS may differ.
H290 frequently asked questions
What does H290 mean?
H290 means "May be corrosive to metals". It is a GHS hazard statement in the physical hazards group, covering Corrosive to Metals (Category 1).
Which pictogram goes with H290?
H290 is shown with GHS05 (Corrosion).
What signal word goes with H290?
The signal word for H290 is "Warning".
Which precautionary statements go with H290?
The GHS data lists 3 precautionary statements for H290, including P234, P390, P406. They cover prevention, response, storage and disposal. The full list is on this page.
Hazard statements describe the hazard of a classified substance or mixture. The classification of a specific product can differ, so use the supplier's SDS.
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ghs/ghscode_10.txt (UN GHS Revision 10, retrieved 2026-10-12)