Which symbol denotes fatal toxicity?

• A. GHS Exclamation Mark
• B. GHS Fire
• C. GHS Fish
• D. GHS Skull and Crossbones

Answer: (D)

GHS hazard pictograms are designed to convey how dangerous a chemical is and what kind of harm it could cause. When a substance can cause death or life-threatening effects from short exposure, the symbol used is the skull and crossbones. This pictogram signals acute toxicity with fatal potential, so you would treat any material displaying it as extremely hazardous and follow strict safety measures, including avoiding ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact and consulting the safety data sheet for handling instructions.

The other symbols indicate different hazards: the exclamation mark flags less severe health effects like irritation or sensitization, not necessarily fatal; the fire symbol means flammable; the fish symbol indicates environmental harm to aquatic life.