Industrial Products: Chemical Hazard Labels
There are many different chemicals used for many different purposes. Chemicals can be very dangerous. In order to make consumers aware of the dangers of certain chemicals, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has come up with a system to indicate the health, reactivity, and flammability of chemicals. This system includes the use of number and color codes in which red stands for flammability, yellow for reactivity, blue for health, and white for special precautions.
Hazard Ratings Summary:
Health – Blue
4 – Danger – Can be fatal even with shot exposure, protective equipment is required.
3 – Warning – Material is toxic or corrosive, skin contact and inhalation should be avoided.
2 – Warning – Can be harmful if absorbed or inhaled.
1 – Caution – Can cause minor irritation
0 – No known hazard.
Reactivity – Yellow
4 – Danger – At room temperature, the material is explosive.
3 – Danger – Can be explosive if mixed with water, heated under confinement, or shocked.
2 – Warning – Unstable and can react violently when mixed with water.
1 – Caution – Can react when mixed with water or heated but not violently.
0 – Stable – When mixed with water, material is not reactive.
Flammability – Red
4 – Danger – An extremely flammable gas or liquid.
3 – Warning – Flammable liquid with a flash point below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
2 – Caution – A combustible liquid that has a flash point between 100 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
1 – Combustible when heated.
0 – Not combustible.
Special Precautions – White
Oxy – Oxidizing Agent
W – Water Reactive
Further Resources:
Chemical Hazards – A pocket guide to chemical hazards from the CDC with information on over 600 different chemicals.
About Chemical Hazards – An article explaining what a chemical hazard is, as well as information on what to do if exposed to hazardous chemicals.
Chemical Hazard Safety – In-depth safety data on chemicals including children's health, environmental safety, and other resources.
NFPA – The website of the National Fire Protection Association, the organization responsible for chemical hazard label safety.
Chemical Hazard Label – An article explaining chemical hazard labeling including charts explaining each label.
Chemical Reactivity – An in-depth article featuring a scientific explanation of chemical reactivity and how it works.
Chemical Safety – An overview of chemical safety featuring databases containing health and chemical information.
Chemical Hazards – Information on chemical hazards from the World Health Organization.
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