|
As urban explorers, we know of the dangers that come with the places we long to know more about. However, all of us have come across signs (besides the typical “No Trespassing”) where some of us might or might not know what the meaning behind it is besides “danger: keep out.” After coming across a red sign that read “Warning: Hazardous Materials” on an outing with my roommate, we decided to do more research on signs, what their shapes and colours represent as to have a better idea of what we’re getting ourselves into. Dangerous substances usually found in abandoned buildings: Lead:When the body is exposed to lead — by being inhaled, swallowed, or in a small number of cases, absorbed through the skin — it can act as a poison. Exposure to high lead levels in a short period of time is called acute toxicity. Exposure to small amounts of lead over a long period of time is called chronic toxicity. Lead is particularly dangerous because once it gets into a person's system, it is distributed throughout the body just like helpful minerals such as iron, calcium, and zinc. And lead can cause harm wherever it lands in the body. In the bloodstream, for example, it can damage red blood cells and limit their ability to carry oxygen to the organs and tissues that need it, thus causing anemia. Asbestos: Asbestos fibers associated with these health risks are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Breathing asbestos fibers can cause a buildup of scar-like tissue in the lungs called asbestosis and result in loss of lung function that often progresses to disability and death. Asbestos also causes cancer of the lung and other diseases such as mesothelioma of the pleura which is a fatal malignant tumor of the membrane lining the cavity of the lung or stomach. Epidemiologic evidence has increasingly shown that all asbestos fiber types, including the most commonly used form of asbestos, chrysotile, causes mesothelioma in humans. Mold: Mold can cause a range of health issues from mild allergic reactions to severe respiratory illness. Colours and their Meanings: Orange: Explosive Red: Flammable Gas and Liquid White: Poison Black/White: Corrosive Yellow: Oxidizer Green: Non-Flammable gas Yellow/White: Radioactive Hazardous Materials by Class Numbers (The class number is the number located on the bottom corner of the label or placard): Class 1: Explosive Class 2: Gasses (Compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure) Class 3: Flammable Liquids Class 4: Flammable Solids or Substances Class 5: Oxidizers Class 6: Poisonous or Infectious Substances Class 7: Radioactive Substances Class 8: Corrosives Class 9: Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances The 704 Diamond is divided into four quadrants. Each quadrant of the diamond has a special meaning and is colour-coded. The top quadrant is coded red for fire hazard, the right quadrant is coded yellow for reactivity, the left quadrant is coded blue for health hazards, and the bottom quadrant is white and contains information about special hazards of the particular chemical. Each colored quadrant is also numbered for the degree of hazard from zero to four-four being the greatest hazard. RED...FIRE HAZARD Materials that burn readily 3. Materials that can ignite at room temperature 2. materials that ignite if moderately heated 1. materials that ignite after considerable preheating 0. will not burn YELLOW...REACTIVITY 4. may detonate 3. shock and heat may detonate 2. violent chemical change 1. unstable if heated 0. stable BLUE...HEALTH INFORMATION 4. deadly 3. extreme hazard 2. hazardous 1. slightly hazardous 0. normal material SPECIAL INFORMATION W: water may cause reaction COR: corrosive OXY: oxidizer ACID: acid
“Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room!" — Dr. Strangelove |
|
The Durango '95 purred away a real horrowshow - a nice, warm vibraty feeling all through your guttiwuts. And soon it was trees and dark, my brothers, with real country dark. |
|
Perfect!
“Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room!" — Dr. Strangelove |
|
Good stuff. Somebody should sticky this post.
|
|
While the information in this post is true it does not cover just how much exposure you need to get in order to be in danger. Based on my limited research if you are once in awhile exposed to asbestos it doesn't really matter, unless you make a habit of it.
|
|
Posted by HackTheRipper Good stuff. Somebody should sticky this post.
|
Good place to sticky this would be the UE Tutorials Forum.
Fear of the unknown is the greatest fear of all - Yvon Chouinard |
|
Posted by philbegas While the information in this post is true it does not cover just how much exposure you need to get in order to be in danger. Based on my limited research if you are once in awhile exposed to asbestos it doesn't really matter, unless you make a habit of it.
|
From what I gather, it depends on many different factors from your own health to how much there is and how long you're exposed to. I know someone exposed to it for an hour or two and had some lung problems after while I know others who have been exposed the same amount and have been fine. I'll do more research and see what I can gather.
“Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room!" — Dr. Strangelove |
|
Colours and their Meanings: Brown: Don't step in it.
"Explore thyself." ~ Henry David Thoreau "...and abandoned stuff & things that look neat." ~ Ansion |
|
Purple paint = no trespassing Sometimes rural exploring can be tense. Like last Saturday we were pushing through some woods - passed through many property markers, passed a couple deer stands (fortunately unoccupied) and our soundtrack was the sound of gunfire in the distance. Someone was really burning through the ammo.
“You've got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know... morons.” |
|
Excellent work, S4H! This belongs in the tutorial section!
|
|
I usually just wait until I'm shitting blood.
"Are you happy now with all the choices you've made?" "Are there times in life when you know you should've stayed?" "Will you compromise and then realize the price is too much to pay?" "Winners and losers... which one will you be today?" ***Social Distortion*** |
|
Posted by Radical_Ed I usually just wait until I'm shitting blood.
|
That works, too.
“Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room!" — Dr. Strangelove |
|
Posted by Radical_Ed I usually just wait until I'm shitting blood.
|
Colours and their Meanings: Red: Flammable Gas and Liquid
|
Sounds about right.
[last edit 3/13/2014 9:47 AM by Ansion - edited 1 times]
"Explore thyself." ~ Henry David Thoreau "...and abandoned stuff & things that look neat." ~ Ansion |
|
Many times the signs are missing but the hazard is still there. Old warning signs are just that and may not indicate to full extent or nature of the hazard(s). Time can change the nature of the hazard. Some solvents such as tetrahydrofuran can polymerize and become a shock sensitive explosive over time. Do your homework about the location, know what to expect and look out for.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in. |
|
so uh.. big numbers = bad. Good to know!
-Through Trial and Error I Proceed. |
|
I created a quizlet to help study and retain these signs! https://quizlet.co...2t?x=1qqt&i=1e1mm4
|