- A chemical hazard label is a pictogram applied to containers of dangerous chemical compounds to indicate the specific risk, and thus the required precautions.
- There are several systems of labels.
- The U.S. based NFPA has a standard NFPA 704 using
- A diamond
- With four colored sections
- Each with a number indicating Severity 0 - 4
- 0 (zero) for NO hazard,
- 4 indicate a severe hazard.
- The RED section denotes flammability.
- The BLUE section denotes health risks.
- Yellow represents reactivity (tendency to explode).
- The WHITE section denotes special hazard information.
o This label is used primarily in the USA.
NFPA Labeling System
- White – Special
- W: reacts with Water in an unusual or dangerous manner (e.g., cesium, sodium)
- OX or OXY: Oxidizer (e.g., potassium per chlorate, ammonium nitrate)
- COR: Corrosive; strong acid or base (e.g. sulfuric acid, potassium hydroxide)
- ACID and ALK to be more specific.
- BIO: Biological hazard (e.g., smallpox virus)
- POI: Poisonous (e.g. Spider Venom),
- The Radioactive trefoil { } is radioactive (e.g., plutonium, uranium)
- CRY or CRYO: Cryogenic (e.g. Liquid Nitrogen)
- Only W and OX/OXY are officially part of the NFPA 704 standard,
- But other self-explanatory symbols are occasionally used in an unofficial manner.
- The use of non-standard symbols or text may be permitted, required or disallowed by the authority having jurisdiction
UN Classifications
o Class 1 Explosives
o Class 2 Gases
o Class 3 Flammable Liquids
o Class 4 Solids
o Class 5 Oxidizing Substances
o Class 6 Toxic and Infectious Substances
o Class 7 Radioactive Substances
o Class 8 Corrosives
o Class 9 Miscellaneous Substances
Explosives – Label
Compressed Gases
Flammable liquids -
Flammable solids
Oxidizing substances
Toxic substances
Radioactive substances
Class label – Corrosives
o White Over Black background
o Test tube over hand / metal symbol on top.
o Number 8 on bottom
o “CORROSIVE” wording
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