What is a common hazard associated with chemical spills?

Chemical spills often pose significant flammability risks, particularly when they involve volatile substances or chemicals that can produce flammable vapors. Many chemicals, especially those used in industrial processes, are capable of igniting upon exposure to heat sources or sparks. This makes understanding the flammability of materials a critical aspect of hazard assessment and response during spills.

The risk of ignition can lead to fires or explosions, which not only endanger personnel responding to the spill but also complicate containment and cleanup efforts. Therefore, proper identification and management of flammable materials during a chemical spill is essential to ensure safety and mitigate further risks.

While radioactive exposure and thermal radiation are important considerations in specific contexts, they are not commonly associated with the majority of chemical spills. Biological contamination is typically more relevant in scenarios involving biological agents rather than chemical spills. Thus, flammability risks stand out as a prevalent and critical hazard in the scenario of a chemical spill.