Which hazard descriptor would be used for a material that can ignite spontaneously in air?

Which hazard descriptor would be used for a material that can ignite spontaneously in air?

• A. Non-flammable compressed gas
• B. Explosive
• C. Spontaneously Combustible
• D. Radioactive substance

Answer: (C)

Hazard descriptors tell you how a dangerous substance can react, especially how it might ignite. If a material can heat up and catch fire on its own in air without an external flame or spark, the correct label is spontaneously combustible. This indicates self-heating and ignition due to oxidation in air, which is the specific risk described in the question. The other options describe different hazards: a non-flammable compressed gas won’t ignite, an explosive is capable of violent release or detonation, and a radioactive substance relates to radiation hazards rather than ignition in air.

Hazard descriptors tell you how a dangerous substance can react, especially how it might ignite. If a material can heat up and catch fire on its own in air without an external flame or spark, the correct label is spontaneously combustible. This indicates self-heating and ignition due to oxidation in air, which is the specific risk described in the question.

The other options describe different hazards: a non-flammable compressed gas won’t ignite, an explosive is capable of violent release or detonation, and a radioactive substance relates to radiation hazards rather than ignition in air.