Chemical Safety Flashcards
7 cards from real NSC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Chemical Safety flashcards as text
Which agency must be notified when a reportable quantity of a hazardous substance is released into the environment?
Answer: The National Response Center (NRC) and local emergency planning committees
Under CERCLA and EPCRA, releases of hazardous substances at or above reportable quantities must be reported to the National Response Center and applicable local/state agencies.
A 'sensitizer' chemical is hazardous because it can:
Answer: Cause an allergic reaction in subsequent exposures after initial sensitization
Sensitizers cause an allergic immune response; after initial exposure sensitizes a person, even tiny future doses can trigger severe reactions.
What is the primary hazard of mixing bleach (sodium hypochlorite) with ammonia-based cleaners?
Answer: Generation of toxic chloramine gases
Mixing bleach with ammonia produces chloramine gases, which are toxic and can cause respiratory damage, chest pain, and at high levels, pulmonary edema.
Under OSHA's Globally Harmonized System (GHS), which signal word indicates a LESS severe hazard category?
Answer: Warning
GHS uses 'Warning' for less severe hazard categories and 'Danger' for more severe ones; only these two signal words are used on GHS-compliant labels.
Which of the following is a key requirement when storing flammable liquids in a safety cabinet?
Answer: The cabinet must be grounded and bonded and kept away from ignition sources
Flammable liquid storage cabinets must be properly grounded and bonded to prevent static discharge and kept away from ignition sources to prevent fires.
What does 'IDLH' stand for in chemical safety, and what is its significance?
Answer: Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health — the concentration posing immediate risk of death or serious health effects
IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) is the maximum concentration from which a worker could escape within 30 minutes without impairing escape or suffering irreversible health effects.
Which of the following best describes 'engineering controls' in chemical safety?
Answer: Physical changes to the work environment that reduce or eliminate chemical hazards at the source
Engineering controls include physical modifications like ventilation systems, enclosed processes, and substitution that reduce hazard exposure at the source without relying on worker behavior.