P261 · Precautionary statementAvoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

Precautionary · PreventionHealthChanged in Rev.11

P261 is the GHS precautionary statement “Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray”. UN GHS Annex 3 assigns it to 6 hazard classes. The English wording is the same as UN GHS Rev.11 in US OSHA, EU CLP and Canada. Canada’s official French text is “Éviter de respirer les poussières/fumées/gaz/brouillards/ vapeurs/aérosols” and Mexico’s Spanish text is “Evitar respirar polvos / humos / gases / nieblas / vapores / aerosoles”. In the UN GHS Rev.11 label matrix it is used with 6 hazard statements (UN only). Changed in UN GHS Rev.11: hazard classes/categories changed.

Maintained by Valenc. Data checked 2026-10-20.

Heading text: UN GHS Rev.11 Annex 3. Wording can differ by jurisdiction; see the table below.

Wording by jurisdiction

UN GHS Rev.11

Same as UN

GHS Rev.11 (2025), Annex 3

Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

UN GHS Rev.11, Annex 3, Table A3.2.2, PDF p. 318

US OSHA HCS

Same as UN

HCS 2024 · primarily GHS Rev.7, some Rev.8

Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/ vapors/spray.

29 CFR 1910.1200 App. C, matched by wording

EU CLP

Same as UN

EU_CLP_2025 · consolidated 1 Jul 2026

Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

EU CLP, Annex IV, Part 2

Canada (EN)

Same as UN

WHMIS_2022 · GHS Rev.7 (Rev.8 for chemicals under pressure)

Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

GHS Rev.7 Annex 3 Table A3.2

Canada (FR)

Adopted

WHMIS_2022 · SGH Rév.7, texte officiel

Éviter de respirer les poussières/fumées/gaz/brouillards/ vapeurs/aérosols.

GHS Rev.7 Annex 3 Table A3.2

Mexico (ES)

Adopted

NOM-018-STPS-2015 · GHS 5th revised edition

Evitar respirar polvos / humos / gases / nieblas / vapores / aerosoles

NOM-018-STPS-2015, DOF 9 October 2015, Apéndice D, Tabla D.1, PDF p. 35

Hazard classes and categories

Acute toxicity, inhalation (chapter 3.1) · Category 4
Skin sensitization (chapter 3.4) · Category 1, 1A, 1B
Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure (chapter 3.8) · Category 2
Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; respiratory tract irritation (chapter 3.8) · Category 3
Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; narcotic effects (chapter 3.8) · Category 3
Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure (chapter 3.9) · Category 2

UN GHS Rev.11 Annex 3, sections 1 and 2

H statements it is used with in the UN GHS Rev.11 label matrix only

UN GHS Rev.11 only. EU CLP, US OSHA, Canada (GHS Rev.7) and Mexico assign their own P statements; check the regulation for your market.

H317 H332 H335 H336 H371 H373

UN GHS Rev.11 Annex 3, section 3. Listed for at least one category that uses each H statement.

Conditions for use

may be omitted if P260 is given on the label. Manufacturer/supplier or the competent authority to specify applicable physical state(s).

Quoted as published in UN GHS Rev.11 Annex 3, section 2. List markers are shown as bullets.

Change in UN GHS Rev.11

Changed from Rev.10: hazard classes/categories changed.

Rev.10 only:

Acute toxicity, inhalation (chapter 3.1): 3, 4

Rev.11:

Acute toxicity, inhalation (chapter 3.1): 4
Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure (chapter 3.8): 2
Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure (chapter 3.9): 2

Sources

Each cell in the table names the official table and page for P261. Full citations, links and revision notes for UN GHS Rev.11, US OSHA, EU CLP, Canada and Mexico: Sources and revision notes.

These are regulatory phrases for labels and safety data sheets. Check them against the official source for your jurisdiction before use.