Chemical And Physcial Properties Flashcards
What is the significance of a chemical’s name and synonyms in hazmat?
A chemical’s name and synonyms help identify the substance correctly in databases or emergency guides, preventing confusion during a response.
What is a CAS number, and why is it important?
A CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number is a unique identifier for a chemical, ensuring accurate identification regardless of naming differences.
What is the OSHA PEL?
The OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is the maximum airborne concentration of a substance workers can be exposed to over an 8-hour workday.
What is the NIOSH REL?
Measurement timeframe names?
The NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) is a guideline for the maximum safe exposure level to a substance, often more stringent than OSHA PEL.
Measurement Time Frames:
• TWA (Time-Weighted Average): Average exposure over an 8- or 10-hour workday.
• STEL (Short-Term Exposure Limit): Maximum exposure limit over a short-term period, typically 15 minutes.
• Ceiling (C): The concentration that should never be exceeded, even momentarily.
What is the ACGIH TLV?
The Threshold Limit Value (TLV) set by the ACGIH defines safe exposure limits for most workers over an 8-hour workday.
What is the significance of a chemical’s physical state in hazmat?
The physical state (solid, liquid, gas) determines how the chemical behaves and spreads, affecting its containment and response measures.
Why are appearance and odor important for identifying chemicals?
Appearance and odor help visually or physically identify chemicals, but odor should not be relied on due to desensitization or odorless hazards.
What is the boiling point, and why is it significant in hazmat?
The boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid becomes vapor, indicating its volatility.
What is the freezing/melting point?
The temperature where a substance transitions between solid and liquid states.
What is vapor pressure, and why is it important in hazmat?
Vapor pressure measures a liquid’s tendency to evaporate; higher vapor pressure indicates greater volatility.
What is vapor density, and how does it affect hazmat response?
Vapor density compares the weight of a vapor to air (air = 1). Vapors heavier than air sink, affecting ventilation strategies.
What is specific gravity, and why is it significant?
Specific gravity compares a substance’s density to water (water = 1). Substances with a specific gravity > 1 sink in water.
What is molecular weight, and why is it important in hazmat?
Molecular weight is the weight of a molecule and helps in understanding gas behavior.
What is a flashpoint, and why is it significant?
The flashpoint is the minimum temperature at which a liquid’s vapors ignite.
What does solubility in water indicate?
Solubility shows how well a chemical dissolves in water, affecting cleanup and dispersion.
Jfrd uses 10 as the over under for soluble or not
Why is stability important in hazmat?
Stability indicates whether a substance decomposes or reacts under normal conditions, impacting storage and transport safety.
What are chemical incompatibilities?
Incompatibilities are substances or conditions that cause dangerous reactions.
What are the flammable limits, and why are they important?
Flammable limits define the concentration range in air where a substance can ignite.
What is autoignition temperature?
The autoignition temperature is the minimum temperature at which a substance ignites without an external spark.
What are target organs, and why are they important?
Target organs are the parts of the body most affected by exposure to a chemical.
What role do symptoms play in hazmat?
Symptoms help identify exposure to a substance.
What is oxidation potential?
Oxidation potential measures a substance’s ability to gain electrons.
What does persistence mean in hazmat?
Persistence describes how long a chemical remains hazardous in the environment.
What does pH measure, and why is it important in hazmat?
pH stands for “potential of hydrogen” or “power of hydrogen.” It measures the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) in a solution, indicating its acidity or alkalinity.
pH measures acidity or alkalinity, with 7 being neutral. Over 7 is alkaline under 7 is acidic. Each number is to the power of 10 from the next