Haz Mat Ops Exam Questions and Verified Answers/Accurate Solutions| Already Graded A+
physical property Characteristic of a material that does not involve the chemistry or
chemical natures of the material
Physical properties Describe how a material behaves in relation to physical influences, such
as temperature and pressure, or how a material behaves when mixed with, or compared to,
another material
Materials can be described by the following physical properties Vapor pressure, boiling
point, melt point/freezing point/sublimation, specific gravity, persistence, appearance and color
Chemical properties Describe the chemical natures of a material and the behaviors and
interactions that occur at a molecular level
Chemical properties Flammability and reactivity, corrosivity, radioactivity
Boiling point Temperature of a substance when the vapor pressure exceeds atmospheric
pressure and the liquid turns into a gas at its surface
Chemical reactivity The ability of a material to undergo a chemical change. The susceptibility
of a material to release energy by itself or in combination with other materials
Corrosivity (pH) A measure of a substance's tendency to deteriorate in the presence of
another substance or in a particular environment
Acid pH less than 7, litmus dyes turn red.
Bases pH above 7, litmus dyes turn blue. Also known as alkalis
,Flammable (Explosive) Range The difference between the upper and lower flammable limits.
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) minimum concentration of vapor to air below which a flame will
not propagate in the presence of an ignition source "too lean to burn"
Upper explosive limit (UEL) Is the maximum vapor to air concentration above which a flame
will not propagate. Also known as "too rich to burn."
Flash point temperature at which a liquid will give off sufficient vapors that will ignite readily
given an ignition source. Fire does NOT have to continue to burn.
Ignition temperature/autoignition temperature the minimum temperature required to
cause self sustained combustion in the absence of any source of ignition. Significance/impact
used for evaluating the effortlessness at which a flammable material may catch fire
particle size refers to solids, and is expressed in microns or percent passing through a
meshed screen.
Persistence This refers to the material's ability to stay within the area of release for long
periods of time. This is generally considered to be more than 24 hours and is intended to
prevent personnel from re-entering the area due to concentrations that remain high.
Physical state: solid Has a stable, specific shape, and a definite volume
Physical state: liquid indefinite shape (determined by its container) and definite volume
Physical state: gas Has no definite shape or volume
,Ionizing radiation Alpha, beta, gamma, neutron. Consists of particles (alpha particles, beta
particles) or high energy rays (gamma, X-ray). Significance/impact: neutron radiation is not
commonly encountered in trans
Non-ionizing rad Consists of UV, visible light, sound waves, magnetic fields.
Significance/impact: UV rad exposure causes sunburn. Causes genetic damage to skin cells and
results in skin cancer. Beyond the control of haz mat/WMD responders
Specific gravity Ratio of the weight of a liquid or solid as compared to an equal amount of
water (value = 1). Solids or liquids with values < 1 considered lighter than water and will float.
Solids/liquids with values > 1 sink
Toxic products of combustion Combustion may alter the original products. May be less
harmful if produced by nonhazardous materials. May be more harmful if produced by haz mat.
Smoke, steam, and runoff from fire and firefighting ops may contaminate a LARGER AREA and
increases the need for respiratory protection and for evacuation downwind of fire.
Vapor Density Ratio of weight of a vapor as compared to an equal amount of air. Air given
value of 1: a vapor with values < 1 is lighter than air and thus will rise and dissipate when
released in air. Vapors with values > 1 are considered heavier than air and thus will seek low
lying areas when released.
Vapor pressure The pressure at any given temperature at which the vapor and liquid phases
of the substance are in equilibrium in a closed container. A change in the temperature or
atmospheric pressure can increase the pressure inside the container, increasing the stress on
the container.
Water solubility Miscibility. The ability of a material to blend uniformly (solubility) with
another. Solubility types: Solid in liquid, jack in coke, gas in liquid, air (gas in gas). "Yes" "No"
"Slight"
Polymerization Chemical reactions in which two or more molecules chemically combine to
form larger molecules (plastic, polyester). This reaction can often be violent.
, Biological agent and toxins Agent: viruses, bacteria, or their toxins which are harmful to
people, animals, or crops. When used deliberately to cause harm, may be referred to as a
biological weapon.
Toxin Poison produced by living organisms
Contamination The transfer of a hazardous material to persons, equipment, and the
environment in greater than acceptable quantities. Occurs from direct contact with the
material usually as a result of a release - victims. During the control ops - responders.
Secondary contamination The indirect transfer when contaminated personnel or equipment
carries a contaminant away from the hot zone and transfer it to another person.
Exposure The process by which people, animals, and equipment come in contact with a
hazardous material. People exposed to a hazardous material are not necessarily always
contaminated by it. An exposure is affected by duration and concentration.
Contamination People contaminated obviously must have been exposed
Hazard Something capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health and safety
Infectious Caused by exposure to harmful microorganisms. Microorganisms multiply and
typically attack other organs or cells in the body. Not all infectious diseases are contagious.
Contagious Capable of being transmitted from one individual (animal or human) to another
through contact, typically by bodily fluids or secretions. Pathogens.
Acute effects Present symptoms immediately. Short term.
physical property Characteristic of a material that does not involve the chemistry or
chemical natures of the material
Physical properties Describe how a material behaves in relation to physical influences, such
as temperature and pressure, or how a material behaves when mixed with, or compared to,
another material
Materials can be described by the following physical properties Vapor pressure, boiling
point, melt point/freezing point/sublimation, specific gravity, persistence, appearance and color
Chemical properties Describe the chemical natures of a material and the behaviors and
interactions that occur at a molecular level
Chemical properties Flammability and reactivity, corrosivity, radioactivity
Boiling point Temperature of a substance when the vapor pressure exceeds atmospheric
pressure and the liquid turns into a gas at its surface
Chemical reactivity The ability of a material to undergo a chemical change. The susceptibility
of a material to release energy by itself or in combination with other materials
Corrosivity (pH) A measure of a substance's tendency to deteriorate in the presence of
another substance or in a particular environment
Acid pH less than 7, litmus dyes turn red.
Bases pH above 7, litmus dyes turn blue. Also known as alkalis
,Flammable (Explosive) Range The difference between the upper and lower flammable limits.
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) minimum concentration of vapor to air below which a flame will
not propagate in the presence of an ignition source "too lean to burn"
Upper explosive limit (UEL) Is the maximum vapor to air concentration above which a flame
will not propagate. Also known as "too rich to burn."
Flash point temperature at which a liquid will give off sufficient vapors that will ignite readily
given an ignition source. Fire does NOT have to continue to burn.
Ignition temperature/autoignition temperature the minimum temperature required to
cause self sustained combustion in the absence of any source of ignition. Significance/impact
used for evaluating the effortlessness at which a flammable material may catch fire
particle size refers to solids, and is expressed in microns or percent passing through a
meshed screen.
Persistence This refers to the material's ability to stay within the area of release for long
periods of time. This is generally considered to be more than 24 hours and is intended to
prevent personnel from re-entering the area due to concentrations that remain high.
Physical state: solid Has a stable, specific shape, and a definite volume
Physical state: liquid indefinite shape (determined by its container) and definite volume
Physical state: gas Has no definite shape or volume
,Ionizing radiation Alpha, beta, gamma, neutron. Consists of particles (alpha particles, beta
particles) or high energy rays (gamma, X-ray). Significance/impact: neutron radiation is not
commonly encountered in trans
Non-ionizing rad Consists of UV, visible light, sound waves, magnetic fields.
Significance/impact: UV rad exposure causes sunburn. Causes genetic damage to skin cells and
results in skin cancer. Beyond the control of haz mat/WMD responders
Specific gravity Ratio of the weight of a liquid or solid as compared to an equal amount of
water (value = 1). Solids or liquids with values < 1 considered lighter than water and will float.
Solids/liquids with values > 1 sink
Toxic products of combustion Combustion may alter the original products. May be less
harmful if produced by nonhazardous materials. May be more harmful if produced by haz mat.
Smoke, steam, and runoff from fire and firefighting ops may contaminate a LARGER AREA and
increases the need for respiratory protection and for evacuation downwind of fire.
Vapor Density Ratio of weight of a vapor as compared to an equal amount of air. Air given
value of 1: a vapor with values < 1 is lighter than air and thus will rise and dissipate when
released in air. Vapors with values > 1 are considered heavier than air and thus will seek low
lying areas when released.
Vapor pressure The pressure at any given temperature at which the vapor and liquid phases
of the substance are in equilibrium in a closed container. A change in the temperature or
atmospheric pressure can increase the pressure inside the container, increasing the stress on
the container.
Water solubility Miscibility. The ability of a material to blend uniformly (solubility) with
another. Solubility types: Solid in liquid, jack in coke, gas in liquid, air (gas in gas). "Yes" "No"
"Slight"
Polymerization Chemical reactions in which two or more molecules chemically combine to
form larger molecules (plastic, polyester). This reaction can often be violent.
, Biological agent and toxins Agent: viruses, bacteria, or their toxins which are harmful to
people, animals, or crops. When used deliberately to cause harm, may be referred to as a
biological weapon.
Toxin Poison produced by living organisms
Contamination The transfer of a hazardous material to persons, equipment, and the
environment in greater than acceptable quantities. Occurs from direct contact with the
material usually as a result of a release - victims. During the control ops - responders.
Secondary contamination The indirect transfer when contaminated personnel or equipment
carries a contaminant away from the hot zone and transfer it to another person.
Exposure The process by which people, animals, and equipment come in contact with a
hazardous material. People exposed to a hazardous material are not necessarily always
contaminated by it. An exposure is affected by duration and concentration.
Contamination People contaminated obviously must have been exposed
Hazard Something capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health and safety
Infectious Caused by exposure to harmful microorganisms. Microorganisms multiply and
typically attack other organs or cells in the body. Not all infectious diseases are contagious.
Contagious Capable of being transmitted from one individual (animal or human) to another
through contact, typically by bodily fluids or secretions. Pathogens.
Acute effects Present symptoms immediately. Short term.
