Lab safety symbols

Front

Flammable Adjective

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[flam-uh-buhl]

Back

Flammable

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Describes a substance that can be easily ignited by an open flame, spark, or exposed heat, posing a fire hazard.

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Example: This image shows the universal lab safety symbol for flammable materials, using a flame icon inside a red diamond to warn that a substance can easily catch fire.

Front

Corrosive Adjective

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[kuh-roh-siv]

Back

Corrosive

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Describes a chemical that can react with and destroy living tissue and other materials upon contact through a chemical reaction.

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Example: This lab safety symbol shows a corrosive substance damaging a surface and skin, indicating it can chemically destroy materials and living tissue on contact.

Front

Toxic Adjective

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[tok-sik]

Back

Toxic

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Describes a substance that is poisonous and can cause harm or death if touched, inhaled, or swallowed by an organism.

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Example: This image shows the skull and crossbones symbol, which is the standard lab safety sign used to warn that a substance is toxic or poisonous.

Front

Irritant Noun

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[ir-i-tuhnt]

Back

Irritant

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A substance that causes a non-corrosive, reversible inflammatory effect, such as itching or redness, on skin or mucous membranes.

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Example: This is the GHS hazard symbol for an irritant, a substance that can cause redness, itching, or rash on skin or in the eyes.

Front

Fume Noun

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[fyoom]

Back

Fume

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Airborne vapors, often produced by chemicals or heating processes, that can pose a significant danger to the respiratory system.

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Example: This diagram shows a fume cupboard, a safety device that uses airflow to pull dangerous fumes away from a person and exhaust them outside.

Front

Ventilation Noun

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[ven-tl-ey-shuhn]

Back

Ventilation

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The process of providing fresh air and ensuring good air circulation to remove or dilute airborne contaminants like dangerous vapors.

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Example: This diagram shows a ventilation system where an exhaust fan removes contaminated air from a workspace and a makeup air fan brings in fresh air.

Front

Acid Noun

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[as-id]

Back

Acid

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A category of corrosive chemicals with a pH less than 7 that can react with and destroy tissue and materials.

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Example: This image shows that when blue litmus paper is dipped into an acid, it turns red, which is a common chemical test to identify acids.

Front

Base Noun

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[beys]

Back

Base

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A category of chemicals, often corrosive, with a pH greater than 7 that can react with and neutralize acids.

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Example: This pH scale shows that bases, also called alkaline substances, have a pH value greater than 7, with stronger bases approaching 14.

Front

Biological Hazard Noun

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[bahy-uh-loj-i-kuhl haz-erd]

Back

Biological Hazard

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An organism or biological material, such as bacteria or fungi, that poses a potential threat to human health.

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Example: This sign shows the universal symbol for a biological hazard, used to warn of potentially infectious materials like bacteria, viruses, or medical waste.

Front

Radioactivity Noun

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[rey-dee-oh-ak-tiv-i-tee]

Back

Radioactivity

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The emission of ionizing radiation caused by the spontaneous disintegration of atomic nuclei, presenting a significant health hazard.

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Example: This image shows the universal lab safety symbol for radioactivity, a warning sign indicating the presence of radioactive materials that can be dangerous.