ChemHAT health impact icons have different colors depending on the strength of the evidence. For example, when authoritative government bodies have definitively determined that a chemical cause cancer in people, the icon will be red to show that it is the strongest evidence base.
Key to Symbols
Stronger effect / evidence
![red](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/color-blank.png)
![orange](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/color-blank.png)
![yellow](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/color-blank.png)
![gray](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/color-blank.png)
Weaker effect / evidence
![PBT (Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxicant)](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/pbt_whitemask.png)
PBT (Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxicant) – Does not break down readily from natural processes, accumulates in organisms concentrating as it moves up the food chain, and is harmful in small quantities.
![Cancer](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/cancer_whitemask.png)
Cancer – Can cause or increase the risk of cancer.
![Breast Cancer](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/breast_cancer_whitemask.png)
Breast Cancer – Known to increase mammary gland tumors in animals.
![Birth Defects](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/developmental_whitemask.png)
Birth Defects – Can cause harm to the developing child including birth defects, low birth weight and biological or behavioral problems that appear as the child grows.
![Reproductive Harm](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/reproductive_whitemask.png)
Reproductive Harm – Can disrupt the male or female reproductive systems, changing sexual development, behavior or functions, decreasing fertility, or resulting in loss of the fetus during pregnancy.
![Endocrine Disruption](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/endocrine_whitemask.png)
Endocrine Disruption – Can interfere with hormone communication between cells which controls metabolism, development, growth, reproduction and behavior (the endocrine system).
![Gene Damage](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/gene_mutation_whitemask.png)
Gene Damage – Can cause or increase the rate of mutations, which are changes in genetic material in cells.
![Asthma Trigger](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/respiratory_whitemask.png)
Asthma Trigger – Can result in high sensitivity so that small quantities trigger asthma, nose or sinus inflammation or other allergic reactions in the respiratory system.
![Brain/Nervous System Harm](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/neurotoxicity_whitemask.png)
Brain/Nervous System Harm – Can cause damage to the nervous system including the brain.
![Toxic to Humans & Animals](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/mammalian_whitemask.png)
Toxic to Humans & Animals – Can be fatal on contact, ingestion or inhalation for humans and other mammals.
![Other Health Effects](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/organ_toxicant_whitemask.png)
Other Health Effects – Can cause serious damage on contact or ingestion.
![Irritates the Eyes](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/eye_irritation_whitemask.png)
Irritates the Eyes – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the eye.
![Irritates the Skin](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/skin_irritation_whitemask.png)
Irritates the Skin – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the skin.
![Sensitizes the Skin](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/skin_sensitize_whitemask.png)
Sensitizes the Skin – Can lead to allergic reactions on the skin.
![Flammable](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/flammable_whitemask.png)
Flammable – Easily ignited and capable of burning rapidly.
![Reactive](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/reactive_whitemask.png)
Reactive – May spontaneously ignite or explode on its own or in contact with water.
![Restricted List](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/restricted_list_whitemask.png)
Restricted List – This chemical is on a list from an authoritative body recommending that its use be avoided.
![Immediate Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/acute_aquatic_whitemask.png)
Immediate Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems – A single exposure may result in severe biological harm or death to fish or other aquatic organisms.
![Long-Term Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/chron_aquatic_whitemask.png)
Long-Term Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems – Long term exposure may result in irreversible harm to fish or other aquatic organisms.
![Harmful to Land Ecosystems](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/terrestrial_whitemask.png)
Harmful to Land Ecosystems – Can cause harm to land based plants, animals or microorganisms.
![Climate Change](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/global_warming_whitemask.png)
Climate Change – Contributes to the greenhouse effect or traps heat in the atmosphere, causing temperature changes and contributing to climate change.
![Ozone Depletion](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/ozone_depletion_whitemask.png)
Ozone Depletion – Can contribute to chemical reactions that destroy ozone in the earth’s upper atmosphere.
![Persistent](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/persistent_whitemask.png)
Persistent – Does not break down readily from natural processes.
![Bioaccumulative](/modules/custom/pharos_api/images/bioaccumulative_whitemask.png)
Bioaccumulative – Accumulates in organisms, concentrating as it moves up the food chain.