GHS hazard statement
H340: May cause genetic defects
- H340
- Health hazards
- Danger
H340 means “May cause genetic defects”. It is a GHS hazard statement for Germ cell mutagenicity (Category 1, 1A, 1B), shown with GHS08 under the signal word “Danger”.
Hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | Pictogram | Signal word | UN transport class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germ cell mutagenicity | Category 1, 1A, 1B |  | Danger | — |
What H340 means
Germ cell mutagens are chemicals that may cause mutations in the germ cells (eggs or sperm) of humans that can be passed on to offspring.
The substance is suspected or known to damage genetic material, and this may carry a long-term health risk.
What to do
Obtain special instructions before use, do not handle until all safety precautions are understood, wear the protective equipment named on the SDS, and keep exposure as low as possible.
This is general guidance for the hazard class. The safety data sheet for your product always takes precedence.
Precautionary statements for H340
The GHS lists these precautionary statements for this hazard. Which ones appear on a label depends on the supplier's classification.
Chemicals carrying H340
7 chemicals in our database. Classification comes from each chemical's primary GHS source, so a supplier's SDS may differ.
H340 frequently asked questions
What does H340 mean?
H340 means "May cause genetic defects". It is a GHS hazard statement in the health hazards group, covering Germ cell mutagenicity (Category 1, 1A, 1B).
Which pictogram goes with H340?
H340 is shown with GHS08 (Health Hazard).
What signal word goes with H340?
The signal word for H340 is "Danger".
Which precautionary statements go with H340?
The GHS data lists 5 precautionary statements for H340, including P203, P280, P318, 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)