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662 HAZWOPER for General Site Workers III
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Physical Properties of Hazardous Substances

Chemical compounds possess inherent properties that determine the type and degree of hazard they represent.

What is a Hazardous Substance?

The boiling point is the temperature at which liquid changes to a vapor, that is, it is the temperature where the pressure of the liquid equals the atmospheric pressure.

  • The boiling point is important because it can dictate the route of entry.
  • For liquids with a high boiling point, the most common route of entry is by body contact.
  • For liquids with a low-boiling point, the most common route of entry is inhalation.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-1. For liquids with a high boiling point, what is the most common route of entry?