Dangerous goods are substances which pose risk to health, safety, property or the environment during operation and/or transportation. (In the United States, the equivalent term is Hazardous Material.) They are divided into classes on the basis of the specific chemical characteristics producing the risk.

Classification and labelling summary tables

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Class 1: Explosives

Information on this graphic changes depending on which, "Division" of explosive is shipped.

Explosive Dangerous Goods have compatibility group letters assigned to facilitate segregation during transport. The letters used range from A - S, the letters I, M, O,P,Q and R are not used. The example above shows an explosive with a compatibility group "A" (Shown as 1.1A). The actual letter shown would depend on the specifics of the product shipped.

For an explanation of compatibility group letters as per the Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations: http://www.tc.gc.ca/tdg/clear/part2.htm#app2

• 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 An insensitive substance with a mass explosion hazard (explosion similar to 1.1)
• 1.6 Extremely insenstive articles.

Note: The graphics and text used on this page are derived from a United Nations based system of identifying, "Dangerous Goods". Not all countries use the exact same graphics (label / placard), or text information for 'homegrown' regulations. Some use graphic symbols, but without English wording. Check the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations for the country you live in.

In Canada: http://www.tc.gc.ca/tdg/Documents/tp11504e.htm

The statement above applies equally to all the Dangerous Goods classes shown on this page.

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 °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.

      Note: For some modes of transport the, "Divisions" in Class 3 (flammable liquids) have been dropped. As well, the criteria for classifying Class 3 products may not be the same in all countries. Check the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations for the country you live in.

      In Canada the criteria for Class 3, flammable liquids may be checked at: http://www.tc.gc.ca/tdg/clear/part2.htm#sec218. In Canada there are no, "Divisions" in Class 3, for road transport.

      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: Oxidizing Agents & Organic Peroxides

              • 5.1 Oxidizing agents other than organic peroxides.
                • Ex: calcium hypochlorite, ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate.
                  • 5.2 Organic peroxides, either in liquid or solid form.
                    • Ex: benzoyl peroxides, cumene hydroperoxide.

                  Class 6: Toxic and Infectious Substances

                  • 6.1a Toxic 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 (N.B this symbol is no longer authorized by the United Nations).
                    • 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)

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                      Xn, harmful, Xi, Irritant
                      T, toxic
                      C, corrosive
                      O, oxidizing
                      F, flammable
                      E, explosive
                      N, environmental hazard

                      See also

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                      • Directive 67/548/EEC
                      • European chemical hazard symbol

                      External links

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                      • UNECE - Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
                      • Classification of Dangerous Goods - Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
                      • Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations - Canada
                      Chemistry

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