Thursday, September 17, 2009

Chemical Hazard and Symbol

Chemical Hazard symbol divided into 9 categories class number of the dangerous characteristic of the chemicals. Each of category may describe different in every country.

Class 1: Explosive Materials


For example, the Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations provides a description of compatibility groups.
1.1 Explosives with a mass explosion hazard

1.2 Explosives with a severe projection hazard.
1.3 Explosives with a fire, blast or projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard.
1.4 Minor fire or projection hazard (includes ammunition and most consumer fireworks).
1.5 An insensitive substance with a mass explosion hazard (explosion similar to 1.1)
1.6 Extremely insensitive articles.

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates hazmat transportation within the territory of the US.

1.1 — Explosives with a mass explosion hazard. (nitroglycerin/dynamite)
1.2 — Explosives with a blast/projection hazard.
1.3 — Explosives with a minor blast hazard. (rocket propellant, display fireworks)
1.4 — Explosives with a major fire hazard. (consumer fireworks, ammunition)
1.5 — Blasting agents.
1.6 — Extremely insensitive explosives.

Class 2: Gasses


Gases which are compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure as detailed below. Some gases have subsidiary risk classes; poisonous or corrosive.

  • 2.1 Flammable Gas: Gases which ignite on contact with an ignition source, such as acetylene and hydrogen.
  • 2.2 Non-Flammable Gases: Gases which are neither flammable nor poisonous. Includes the cryogenic gases/liquids (temperatures of below -100°C) used for cryopreservation and rocket fuels, such as nitrogen and neon.
  • 2.3 Poisonous Gases: Gases liable to cause death or serious injury to human health if inhaled; examples are fluorine, chlorine, and hydrogen cyanide.

Class 3: Flammable Liquids

Flammable liquids included in Class 3 are included in one of the following packing groups:

  • Packing Group I, if they have an initial boiling point of 35°C or less at an absolute pressure of 101.3 kPa and any flash point, such as diethyl ether or carbon disulfide.
  • Packing Group II, if they have an initial boiling point greater than 35°C at an absolute pressure of 101.3 kPa and a flash point less than 23°C, such as gasoline (petrol) and acetone.
  • Packing Group III, if the criteria for inclusion in Packing Group I or II are not met, such as kerosene and diesel.

Class 4: Flammable Solids

  • 4.1 Flammable Solids: Solid substances that are easily ignited and readily combustible (nitrocellulose, magnesium, safety or strike-anywhere matches).
  • 4.2 Spontaneously Combustible: Solid substances that ignite spontaneously (aluminum alkyls, white phosphorus).
  • 4.3 Dangerous when Wet: Solid substances that emit a flammable gas when wet or react violently with water (sodium, calcium, potassium, calcium carbide).

Class 5: Oxidizing Agents and Organic Peroxides

  • 5.1 Oxidizing agents other than organic peroxides (calcium hypochlorite, ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate).
  • 5.2 Organic peroxides, either in liquid or solid form (benzoyl peroxides, cumenn hydroperoxide).

Class 6: Toxic and Infectious Substances

  • 6.1a Toxic substances which are liable to cause death or serious injury to human health if inhaled, swallowed or by skin absorption (potassium cyanide, mercuric chloride).
  • 6.1b (Now PGIII) Toxic substances which are harmful to human health (N.B this symbol is no longer authorized by the United Nations) (pesticides, methylene chloride).
  • 6.2 Biohazardous substances; the World Health Organization (WHO) divides this class into two categories: Category A: Infectious; and Category B: Samples (virus cultures, pathology specimens, used intravenous needles).

Class 7: Radioactive Substances

Radioactive substances comprise substances or a combination of substances which emit ionizing radiation (uranium, plutonium).


Class 8: Corrosive Substances

Corrosive substances are substances that can dissolve organic tissue or severely corrode certain metals:

  • 8.1 Acids: sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid
  • 8.2 Alkalis: potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide

Class 9: Miscellaneous

Hazardous substances that do not fall into the other categories (asbestos, air-bag inflators, self inflating life rafts, dry ice).

Other Hazardous Label:

1 comment:

  1. This information is really important specially to those people who are involved in the transportation of these dangerous goods. It will secure the smoothness of the operation and the safety of the people.

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