--Welcome to the Sample Hazzard Help Page--
This page shows the hazard symbols which can be found in the MIROFOSS database. Please note that the help pages have been written as a simple reference guide in relation to the MIROFOSS database. There are many hazards related to geological and chemical samples which can cause damage, injury, or death to humans, animals, and the environment. The MIROFOSS database uses industry standard hazard signs to show potential dangers when handling certain types of samples.

Through-out the research, design, and development of MIROFOSS, care has been taken to ensure all pages within the database follow the same format. All samples that have a potential hazard are marked with a yellow triangle with black symbols. Please note, on this help page, all types of samples are referred to as 'minerals.' If further assistance is required, please -contact us-. .

Environmental Hazard
If a sample is designated as an environmental hazard, the mineral will cause damage to plant and animal life if allowed to enter the ecosystem in certain quanitities. The quantity of a mineral to cause damage varies from mineral to mineral. Samples such as 'tantalite' are considered environmental hazards in the database. When Handling minerals that have been classified as enivironmental hazards, care should be taken to ensure that minerals samples cannot contaiminate local soil and water tables.
Toxic Hazard
If a sample is designated as toxic, the mineral will cause death if ingested into the body. Samples such as 'arsenopyrite' are considered very poisionous and therfore classified as a toxic hazard in the database. When handling toxic minerals care should be taken to ensure the mineral or dust and vapors from the mineral do not come into contact with the human body. Proper clothing, gloves, eye wear, and masks should be used when handling these minerals.
Biohazard
If a sample is designated as a biohazard, the mineral will cause long-term health affects possibly resulting in death if continued to be ingested or in contact with the human body. Most heavy metal samples such as 'mercury' or 'lead' can be considered biohazards. Prolonged exposure to these minerals should be avoided and proper hand protection should be worn.
Radioactive Hazard
If a sample is designated as radioactive, the mineral is giving off a recordable level of alpha, beta, or gamma rays. More information about radioactivity in minerals can be found on the lessons and tutorial page, located on the main homepage.. Please note that if a mineral is classified as radioactive, it does not nessessarly mean the radiation from the mineral will be fatal. A special note about radioactivity can be found under this hazard table. Strongly radioactive samples such as 'torbernite' would be classifed as highly radioactive in the database. Prolonged exposure to the mineral should be avoided and special storage guidlines should be followed.More information about the storage of minerals can be found on the information for collectors page, located on the main homepage.
Flammable Hazard
If a sample is designated as flammable, the mineral has the ability to ignite under normal atmospheric conditions. Certain minerals react to the gases and water vapor in the atmosphere of the Earth. When this happens the minerals will ignite, sometimes violently, and may cause damage to object around them. Samples such as 'sodium' react with water vapor in the air around us and may violently ignate if left in the normal atmospehere. Special storage guidlines should be followed.More information about the storage of minerals can be found on the information for collectors page, located on the main homepage.
Oxidization Hazard
If a sample is listed as an oxidizer, the mineral will cause other samples around it to oxidize or change their state. Many metallic minerals oxides when exposed to the oxygen in the atmosphere. However, some minerals give off gases or vapors which may cause other minerals to change state or oxidize. Samples such as 'sulfur' when placed with other minerals may cause them to oxidize. Special storage guidlines should be followed. More information about the storage of minerals can be found on the information for collectors page, located on the main homepage.
Sharp Hazard
If a sample is designated as being sharp, the mineral sample may have the ability to cause injury during handling due to sharp edges on the sample. Samples such as 'orthoclase' have sharp edges when fractured and should be handling with care.
Corrossion Hazard
If a sample is designated as being corrossive, the mineral sample may have the ability to corrode clothing, biological material, and certain storage devices. Samples such as 'sodium hydroxide' are corrisive and special handing and storage guidlines should be followed. More information about the storage of minerals can be found on the information for collectors page, located on the main homepage.

--Radioactivity in Minerals--
When a mineral is designated with a radioactive hazard warning, as stated above, radioactivity may not be harmful. The following chart shows the various levels of radiation that can be found in samples displayed in the Dynamo Mineral Database

Slightly Detable Radiation
If a sample has slighty detectable radiation, the sample does not give off any type of hazardous radiation, the sample does not require any special type of handling or storage. A sample such as 'microcline' is classified as having barely detectable radiation.
Mildly Radioactive
If a sample is mildly radioactive, the sample gives off small amounts of radiation. The sample does not require any special type of handling or storage. However, extremely long prolonged exposure to the sample should be avoided. A sample such as 'eudylite' is considered mildly radioactive.
Moderately Radioactive
If a sample is moderately radioactive, the sample gives off potentialy dangerous levels of radiation. Prolonged exposure the sample should be avoided and the same should not be kept in areas where people eat or sleep. Samples such as 'torbernite' are considered moderately radioactive. Special storage for certain moderately radioactive samples may be required. More information about the storage of minerals can be found on the information for collectors page, located on the main homepage.
Highly Radioactive
If a sample is highly radioactive, the sample is giving off substantial and dangerous radiation. Special Handling and storage procedures must be followed when working with this type of sample. A sample of 'thorite' would be regarded as highly radioactive. More information about the storage of minerals can be found on the information for collectors page, located on the main homepage.