Symbol Legend

Hazard Symbols | HMIS Information | Spill Cleanup Kit Icons | N.F.P.A. Ratings | U.S. Hotlines

Hazard Symbols
For recognition purposes, the hazard symbols in the catalog are from Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 172 (DOT), yet the criteria used for assigning hazard symbols is primarily from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard Z129.1 for Hazardous Industrial Chemicals Precautionary Labeling. The hazard symbols in the catalog are provided only as a guide for quick recognition of the acute hazards associated with our chemicals. They are not to be used in lieu of reading the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) nor do they necessarily reflect correct DOT markings. Please refer to 49CFR for correct DOT markings.

	Corrosive: These substances destroy living tissue and equipment upon contact. Caution! Do not breathe vapors; avoid contact with skin and eyes.
	Flammable: Designates those items which are: a. Flammable Liquids - Caution! Flash point below 141F (60.5C). b. Flammable Solids - Caution! Keep away from open fires, sources of heat and sparks. c. Combustible Material - Caution! Flash point greater than 141F but less than 200F (or greater than 60.5C but less than 90C). Keep away from open flames, sources of heat and sparks. Note: Most combustible materials sold by Spectrum are not subject to DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations per 29CFR 173.150.
	Keep Away From Food: Store away from foodstuffs. Toxic or poisonous materials which are hazardous to health when inhaled, swallowed or when they come in contact with the skin. May even lead to death. Danger! Avoid contact with the human body and immediately consult a physician in case of contact.

	Oxidizer: Oxidizing substances can ignite flammable and combustible material or worsen existing fire and thus make fire fighting more difficult. Caution! Keep away from flammable, combustible and spontaneously combustible materials.
	Poisonous Substances: Very hazardous to health when inhaled, swallowed or when they come in contact with the skin. May even lead to death. Danger! Avoid contact with the human body and immediately contact a physician in case of contact.
	Radioactive: This symbol designates those substances which have measurable radioactivity. Caution! Avoid exposure.

HMIS Information
The Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) was developed by the National Paint and Coating Association to be a visual system using colors and numbers to communicate risk information. It was designed to be as compatible as possible with hazard communication systems such as ANSI, NIOSH and others used by industry. The information is communicated through a numerical rating for Health, Flammability and Reactivity. The numerical ratings range from 0 to 4: a rating of "0" represents little or no hazard potential, while a "4" rating indicates an extremely high degree of hazard potential. Where possible, we have made every effort to include the HMIS values for each catalog entry and we believe them to be accurate at the time of printing. For more details regarding the HMIS, please contact the NPCA. We also offer a Hazard Identification System wall chart.

Spill Cleanup Kit Icons
A principal element of good laboratory safety practice is to have spill kits close at hand for the cleanup of hazardous materials. To make ordering the appropriate spill kits easier, we have included icons to identify which spill kits are appropriate for specific chemicals.

	Acid Spill Kit: For neutralizing and absorbing laboratory spills of acids.		Mercury Spill Kit: A special kit for the cleanup of mercury spills.
	Caustic Spill Kit: For neutralizing and absorbing laboratory spills of caustics.		Solvent Spill Kit: For the safer cleanup of solvents, pesticides, herbicides and flammables.

Key to National Fire Protection Association 704 Ratings
The N.F.P.A. warning diamond is shown for many of the items in this catalog. This widely used information system clearly defines Health, Fire and Reactivity hazards as well as some specific product hazards. Numbers in the diamond range designate (from 4 for the greatest to 0 for the least) degree of hazard. The letter "U" indicates unknown danger. We chose to indicate only the water reactive (W) special hazard because it supplements the hazard information already identified.

IMPORTANT: The absence of an NFPA number or warning should not be interpreted as an indication of safety. NFPA information is not available for many items in this catalog!


4	Materials which on very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury even though prompt medical treatment was given.	4	Materials which will rapidly or completely vaporize at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature, or which are readily dispersed in air and which will burn readily.	4	Materials which in themselves are readily capable of detonation or of explosive decomposition or reaction at normal temperatures and pressures.
3	Materials which on short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury even through prompt medical treatment was given.	3	Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.	3	Materials which in themselves are capable of detonation or of explosive reaction but require a strong initiating source or which must be heated under confinement before initiation or which react explosively with water.
2	Materials which on intense or continued exposure could cause serious temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury unless prompt medical treatment was given.	2	Materials that must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur.	2	Materials which in themselves are normally unstable and readily undergo violent chemical change but do not detonate. Also materials which may react violently with water or which may form potentially explosive mixtures with water.
1	Materials which on exposure could cause serious temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury even if medical treatment is given.	1	Materials that must be preheated before ignition can occur.	1	Materials which in themselves are normally stable, but which can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures or which may react with water with some release of energy, but not violently.
0	Materials which on exposure under fire conditions would offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible material.	0	Materials that will not burn.	0	Materials which in themselves are normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and which are not reactive with water.

U.S. Hotlines
Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTREC)	1-800-424-9300
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (Technical Information Source)	1-800-356-4674
National Response Center (Report spills, chemical releases, radiological incidents)	1-800-848-6946
Poison Control Center	1-800-848-6946
Substance Identification (Identify chemical substances by CAS number or name)	1-800-848-6538