helsefarlig

Helsefarlig is a Norwegian adjective used to describe something that can cause harm to human health. In safety communication, it marks substances, products, or situations that pose health risks to people exposed to them. The term is commonly seen on warning labels, packaging, and safety data sheets in Norway, and it is used in Norwegian translations of international hazard classifications to indicate health hazards alongside other hazard types such as physical or environmental hazards. While helsefarlig signals health risk, it does not by itself specify the severity or mechanism of harm; other phrases or hazard statements provide those details.

Etymology and meaning: helsefarlig is a compound of helse (health) and farlig (dangerous). The word reflects a focus on risks to human health rather than general danger or fatal outcomes. It is part of everyday safety language in Norway and is understood in both consumer and professional contexts.

Usage and context: The term is applied to chemicals, consumer products, and processes that may affect health through ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, or long-term exposure. Examples include solvents, pesticides, strong cleaners, and certain cosmetic ingredients that could irritate the skin or respiratory system or cause other health-related effects. It is distinct from livsfarlig, meaning life-threatening or fatal risk, though a health hazard can be serious or life-threatening in severe exposure scenarios.

See also: health hazard, chemical hazard, hazard labeling, CLP Regulation, Norwegian safety terminology.