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Dangerous goods are substances which pose risk to health, safety, property or the environment during operation and/or transportation. All of these substances are divided in classes in accordance to the specific chemical characteristics resulting in a degree of danger. The classification was not attributed in relation to that specific degree of danger but merely for convenience purposes.

Contents [hide] 1 Classification and labelling summary tables 1.1 Class 1: Explosives 1.2 Class 2: Gases 1.3 Class 3: Flammable liquids 1.4 Class 4: Flammable solids 1.5 Class 5: Oxidising Agents & Organic Peroxides 1.6 Class 6: Poisonous (Toxic) and Infectious Substances 1.7 Class 7: Radioactive Substances 1.8 Class 8: Corrosive Substances 1.9 Class 9: Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances 2 Other Hazardous Materials' Labels (CHIP) 3 See also 4 External links

 

Classification and labelling summary tables

 

Class 1: Explosives

• 1.1 Explosives with a mass explosion hazard
  • Ex: TNT, Dynamite, Nitroglycerine.
• 1.2 Explosives with a severe projection hazard.
• 1.3 Explosives with a fire, blast or projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard.
• 1.4 Minor fire or projection hazard (includes ammunition and most consumer fireworks).
• 1.5 Blasting agents.
• 1.6 Extremely insenstive articles.

 

Class 2: Gases

Gases which are compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure as detailed below. Some gases have subsidiary risk classes; poisonous or corrosive.

• 2.1 Flammable gas
  • Gases which ignite on contact with an ignition source.
    • Ex: Acetylene, Hydrogen.

• 2.2 Non-Flammable Gases
  • Gases which are neither flammable nor poisonous.
    • Ex: Oxygen, Nitrogen, Neon.

Includes the cryogenic gases/liquids (temperatures of below 100 deg.C) used for cryopreservation and rocket fuels.

• 2.3 Poisonous Gases
  • Gases liable to cause death or serious injury to human health if inhaled.
    • Ex: Fluorine, Chlorine, Hydrogen Cyanide.

 

Class 3: Flammable liquids

• 3.1 Highly flammable liquids with a boiling point below 35°C.
  • Ex: Diethyl Ether, carbon disulfide.
• 3.2 Flammable liquids with a Flashpoint of less than 23°C and boiling point above 35°C.
  • Ex: Petrol, Acetone.
• 3.3 Liquids with a flashpoint above 23°C but not exceeding 61 °C and a boiling point greater than 35°C.
  • Ex: Kerosene.

 

Class 4: Flammable solids

• 4.1 Flammable solids which are easily ignited and readily combustible.
  • Ex: Nitrocellulose, Magnesium, safety or strike-anywhere matches.

• 4.2 Spontaneously combustible substances.
  • Ex: Aluminium Alkyls, White Phosphorus.

• 4.3 Substances which emit a flammable gas when wet or react violently with water.
  • Ex: Sodium, Calcium, Potassium.

 

Class 5: Oxidising Agents & Organic Peroxides

• 5.1 Oxidising agents other than organic peroxides.
  • Ex: Calcium Hypochlorite, Ammonium nitrate, Hydrogen peroxide.

• 5.2 Organic peroxides, either in liquid or solid form.
  • Ex: Benzoyl Peroxides, Cumene Hydroperoxide.

 

Class 6: Poisonous (Toxic) and Infectious Substances

• 6.1a Poisonous substances which are liable to cause death or serious injury to human health if inhaled, swallowed or by skin absorption.
  • Ex: Potassium Cyanide, Mercuric Chloride, Hydrofluoric Acid.

• 6.1b (Now PGIII) Toxic substances which are harmful to human health.
  • Ex: Low toxicity pesticides, Methylene Chloride.

• 6.2 Biohazardous substances.
  • Ex: Virus cultures, pathology specimens, used intravenous needles.

Divided into two categories by the WHO: Cat. A (infectious) and Cat. B (samples).

 

Class 7: Radioactive Substances

• Radioactive substances comprise substances or a combination of substances which emit ionizing radiation.
  • Ex: Uranium, Plutonium.

 

Class 8: Corrosive Substances

Solids or liquids that can dissolve organic tissue or severely corrode certain metals.

• 8.1 Acids
  • Ex: Sulfuric Acid Hydrochloric Acid.
• 8.2 Alkalis
  • Ex: Potassium Hydroxide Sodium Hydroxide.

 

Class 9: Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances

• Hazardous substances that do not fall into the other categories.
  • Ex: Asbestos, Air-Bag inflators, self inflating life-rafts, Dry Ice.

 

Other Hazardous Materials' Labels (CHIP)

X, harmful
T, toxic
C, corrosive
O, oxidizing
F, flammable
E, explosive
N, environmental hazard