Which term indicates a substance would cause severe or irreparable harm on contact?

• A. Danger Corrosive
• B. Warning Poison
• C. Danger Extremely Flammable
• D. Caution Flammable

Answer: (A)

When assessing hazard labeling, the key idea is how the label communicates what can happen on contact with the substance. A substance that would cause severe or irreparable harm on contact is described as corrosive, capable of burning or destroying skin, eyes, or other tissues. The phrase “Danger Corrosive” uses the highest signal word, Danger, to indicate a severe hazard, paired with Corrosive to specify the type of harm. That combination directly signals the potential for immediate, serious damage from contact.

The other phrases refer to hazards that aren’t about severe tissue damage from contact. Poison implies toxicity, typically relevant to ingestion, inhalation, or absorption, but not necessarily immediate contact burns. Extremely flammable points to fire risk, not chemical burns. A flammable label with Caution indicates a lower level of flammability risk, again not about corrosive contact harm.