Hazardous Chemical Information

Hazardous chemical signs*

 

Toxic Substance
Class 6
Division 6.1
 Radioactive
Class 7		 Corrosive
Class 8
Dangerous when wet
Class 4
Division 4.3		 Flammable Liquid
Class 3		 Flammable Solid
Class 4
Division 4.1
Non-Flammable Gas
Class 2
Division 2.2
 Organic Peroxide
Class 5
Division 5.2		 Oxidizer
Class 5
Division 5.1
Spontaneously Combustible
Class 4
Division 4.2		 Miscellaneous Dangerous
Goods
Class 9		  

*A special thanks to SPI Supplies® for the above information

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MSDS Hazard Signs and Meanings**

Health Hazard
4 Very short exposure could cause death or serious residual injury even though prompt medical attention was given.
3 Short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury even though prompt medical attention was given.
2 Intense or continued exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury unless prompt medical attention is given.
1 Exposure could cause irritation but only minor residual injury even if no treatment is given.
0 Exposure under fire conditions would offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible materials.
Flammability
4 Will rapidly or completely vaporize at normal pressure and temperature, or is readily dispersed in air and will burn readily.
3 Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient conditions.
2 Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high temperature before ignition can occur.
1 Must be preheated before ignition can occur.
0 Materials that will not burn.
Reactivity
4 Readily capable of detonation or of explosive decomposition or reaction at normal temperatures and pressures.
3 Capable of detonation or explosive reaction, but requires a strong initiating source or must be heated under confinement before initiation, or reacts explosively with water.
2 Normally unstable and readily undergo violent decomposition but do not detonate. Also: may react violently with water or may form potentially explosive mixtures with water.
1 Normally stable, but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures or may react with water with some release of energy, but not violently.
0 Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and are not reactive with water.
Special Hazards
This section is used to denote special hazards. One of the most common is unusual reactivity with water. The letter W with a horizontal line through it (as shown on the left) indicates a potential hazard using water to fight a fire involving this material.

Other symbols, abbreviations or words may appear here to indicate unusual hazards. Some examples include the following (not all of which are necessarily part of the NFPA system):
OX This denotes an oxidizer, a chemical which can greatly increase the rate of combustion/fire.
ACID This indicates that the material is an acid, a corrosive material that has a pH lower than 7.0
ALK This denotes an alkaline material, also called a base. These caustic materials have a pH greater than 7.0
COR This denotes a material that is corrosive (it could be either an acid or a base).
This is a another symbol used for corrosive.
The skull and crossbones is used to denote a poison or highly toxic material.
The international symbol for radioactivity is used to denote radioactive hazards; radioactive materials are extremely hazardous when inhaled.
Indicates an explosive material. This symbol is somewhat redundant because explosives are easily recognized by their Reactivity Rating.

**A special thanks to: National Fire Protection Association for the above information

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This page created, maintained and edited by:

Joseph Williams, Jennifer Butt and Carolyn Lewis