El laboratorio de Física y Química: LAB EQUIPEMENT AND HAZARD SYMBOLS (PICTOGRAMS)

Each pictogram covers a specific type of hazard and is designed to be immediately recognizable to anyone handling hazardous material.

EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCES: Substances that explode near a flame. For example: Nitroglycerin (dynamite).

FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES: Substances that burn easily. According to its ignition temperature, we can distinguish between FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES, EASILY FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES (at room temperature without energy input) or EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES (whose ignition point is below zero).

Examples: Gases such as propane and butane (natural gases), H₂ hydrogen, white phosphorus (it burns quickly and produces blanket of smoke).

OXIDISING SUBSTANCES: Substances that oxidize other substances and produce an exothermic chemical reaction (which releases heat) in case of being in contact with flammable substances. Oxidisers are chemicals that facilitate burnings. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and oxygen (O₂) are two examples of oxidizing agents.

Substances that once absorbed (via INHALATION, SKIN CONTACT or INGESTION) are dangerous:

- IRRITANT SUBSTANCES: An irritant substance causes inflammation and damages in skin and mucosa (eyes). For instance: Ammonia (NH₃), acids and bases, ... .

Exclamation Mark: An immediate skin, eye or respiratory tract irritant, or narcotic.

- CORROSIVE SUBSTANCES: Acids and strong bases destroy tissues and are corrosive to metals. For example: Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). chloridric acid (HCl) amd caustic soda (NaOH) cause thermal burns.

- ACUTE TOXICITY SUBSTANCES: Substances that cause serious and chronic damage, even death. For example: Cyanide salts (it is a poison for cellular respiration), arsenic (As) and other heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, lead, ...).

CARCINOGENIC SUBSTANCES: Substances that increase the risk of suffering from cancer. For example: asbestos, DDT, tobacco, benzene, etc.

Be cautious when handling hazardous materials (such as asbestos) and wear appropriate masks and other protection

We can talk about another HEALTH HAZARDS caused by agents as TERATOGENIC agents (that produce injuries to the fetus) and MUTAGENIC agents (that could cause damage in genetic material, such as X-Ray, Radiactivity, etc.)