Which symbol indicates a poisonous material?

The skull and crossbones symbol is universally recognized as an indicator of toxicity or poison. When you see this symbol on a label or safety data sheet (SDS), it signals that the material poses a significant health risk through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. This symbol is primarily associated with substances that are harmful or fatal, emphasizing the need for caution and appropriate safety measures when handling these materials.

In contrast, the corrosion symbol represents materials that can cause severe skin burns or eye damage, the radioactive symbol indicates materials that emit radiation, and the flammable symbol highlights substances that can easily ignite and pose fire hazards. Each of these symbols communicates specific dangers, but only the skull and crossbones specifically denotes a poisonous material.