GHS hazard statement
H305: May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways
- H305
- Health hazards
- Warning
H305 means “May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways”. It is a GHS hazard statement for Aspiration hazard (Category 2), shown with GHS08 under the signal word “Warning”.
Hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | Pictogram | Signal word | UN transport class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspiration hazard | Category 2 |  | Warning | — |
What H305 means
Aspiration hazard is the danger of a liquid or solid entering the trachea and lower respiratory system directly through the mouth or nose, or indirectly through vomiting.
Aspiration can cause serious acute effects such as chemical pneumonia, lung damage and, in the worst cases, death. It is a concern mainly for low-viscosity liquids such as some hydrocarbons.
What to do
If the product is swallowed, do not induce vomiting. Call a poison center or doctor immediately and keep the person at rest, as set out in the SDS first-aid section.
This is general guidance for the hazard class. The safety data sheet for your product always takes precedence.
Precautionary statements for H305
The GHS lists these precautionary statements for this hazard. Which ones appear on a label depends on the supplier's classification.
Chemicals carrying H305
No chemicals in our database are classified with H305 yet.
H305 frequently asked questions
What does H305 mean?
H305 means "May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways". It is a GHS hazard statement in the health hazards group, covering Aspiration hazard (Category 2).
Which pictogram goes with H305?
H305 is shown with GHS08 (Health Hazard).
What signal word goes with H305?
The signal word for H305 is "Warning".
Which precautionary statements go with H305?
The GHS data lists 4 precautionary statements for H305, including P301+P316, P331, P405, P501. 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)