In the NFPA 704 System, which quadrant represents the health risk of a chemical?

In the NFPA 704 System, the quadrant that represents the health risk of a chemical is specifically designated for health. This system uses a diamond shape with four quadrants, and each quadrant is assigned a different risk factor related to a material's characteristics. The health risk is marked in the blue section of the diamond, providing an easy visual reference for understanding the potential health hazards associated with exposure to that chemical.

This quadrant uses a numerical scale, typically from 0 to 4, to indicate the severity of the health risk, with higher numbers representing greater potential danger. For example, a health risk rating of 0 indicates that the material poses no health risk, while a rating of 4 signifies a material that can cause death or significant injury upon short exposure.

In contrast, the other quadrants focus on different aspects: flammability is reflected in the red quadrant, indicating the material's fire hazard; reactivity is shown in the yellow quadrant, denoting how the material might react with other substances; and specific hazards are located in the white quadrant, which identifies particular risks such as radiation or acid. Each quadrant thus plays a crucial role in conveying critical safety information about hazardous materials.