What do NFPA hazard symbols represent?

NFPA hazard symbols are designed to communicate the degree of health, flammability, and reactivity hazards associated with materials and substances. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) established a color-coded system using a diamond shape that includes four quadrants. Each quadrant represents a different type of hazard: blue indicates health hazards, red indicates flammability, yellow indicates reactivity, and white is used for specific information about the material.

The numbers within each quadrant range from 0 to 4, with 0 indicating no hazard and 4 indicating a severe hazard. This system provides first responders and individuals handling hazardous materials with quick and essential information necessary for safe handling and emergency response. Understanding these symbols is crucial for ensuring safety in environments where hazardous materials are present. Therefore, the correct answer focuses on the effective communication of these hazards rather than other factors like temperature range, shelf life, or environmental impact, which are not represented by NFPA symbols.