What does the blue section of the NFPA 704 diamond represent?

The blue section of the NFPA 704 diamond specifically represents health hazards associated with a material. This system is designed to provide a quick reference for emergency responders to determine the potential health risks posed by exposure to a substance. The health hazard rating ranges from 0 to 4, with 0 indicating no health hazard and 4 indicating a severe health risk that could be life-threatening upon exposure.

In this context, the other sections of the NFPA diamond include flammability, represented by the red section, which addresses how easily a substance may ignite; reactivity, shown by the yellow section, which indicates the stability of a material and its potential to react with other substances; and environmental hazards, which may not be represented in the traditional NFPA 704 system but could be included in more updated hazard labeling systems. Understanding the meaning of each color in the NFPA 704 diamond is crucial for ensuring safety and proper response in emergency situations.