Whats the difference between Category 1 and Category 2 Carcinogens?
A. Category 1 – substances known to cause cancer on the basis of human experience. Category 2 – substances which it is assumed can cause cancer, on the basis of reliable animal evidence. Categories 1 and 2, if purchased from a supplier will carry the “toxic” (T) symbol and the Risk Phrase R45 (may cause cancer) or R49 (may cause cancer by inhalation). There is Category 3 as well but they are not included in the COSHH definition of carcinogen although they are subject to the general requirements of COSHH. We don’t label them specifically. Category 3, if purchased from a supplier carries the “harmful” (Xn) symbol and the Risk Phrase R40 (limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect).
