Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) Hazmat Awareness and Operations Certification Practice Exam

At a hazardous materials incident, a radio can be a potential ignition source because it can emit electromagnetic waves and generate sparks, especially during activation or interference. These sparks can ignite flammable vapors or gases that may be present in the environment. It's crucial to recognize devices that are powered, especially electrical devices, as they can pose a significant risk in the presence of combustible materials.

Other options such as a glow stick, contaminated water, and inert gas typically do not present the same ignition risk. Glow sticks do not generate heat or sparks; instead, they rely on a chemical reaction to produce light without any electrical components. Contaminated water does not function as an ignition source; rather, it could act as a barrier or as a medium that could facilitate the transfer of hazardous materials but wouldn't ignite. Inert gases, as the name suggests, do not react chemically with other materials, meaning they are generally not combustible and do not serve as ignition sources in these scenarios. Understanding the nature of potential ignition sources is critical for safety during hazardous materials incidents.