What types of health effects are considered “chronic” and when do they trigger use of the (*) in an HMIS® label?
A (*) is needed on the HMIS® label when there is clear evidence that exposure to the chemical is associated with an adverse, non-acute health effect, such as cancer, reproductive effects, or injury to a specific organ of the body. To determine whether a (*) is needed, apply the same rules that would be used to determine whether the material would be required, under the HCS, to list an effect of chronic exposure on the manufacturer’s product label. See Sections 7.5(A)-(B) and Tables 7.1a, 7.2, and 7.3 in this manual. For example, a carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) must carry an asterisk (*) on the HMIS® label if the chemical: • Has been evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and found to be a carcinogen or potential carcinogen. Note: The OSHA Compliance Directive (CPL 2-2.38C A-25-26 of 1990) indicates that Groups 1 (“agent is carcinogenic in humans”) and 2A (“agent is probably carcinogenic in humans”) must be noted on both the MSDS and the label, while Gro
