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The placard number set indicating the most dangerous chemical according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 704 System is represented by the numbers 4, 4, 2. In the NFPA 704 system, the numbers on the placard represent the hazards associated with the material in three primary categories: health hazard, flammability, and reactivity.
In this system, a higher number indicates a greater degree of hazard. The first digit corresponds to health hazards, the second to flammability, and the third to reactivity. Therefore, a reading of 4 for both health and flammability hazards signifies that the substance poses an extreme risk to health and a highly serious fire hazard. In comparison, the reactivity hazard of 2 indicates some risk but is less severe than the other two hazards.
This combination illustrates that the substance with this placard number set is particularly hazardous overall, exemplifying a critical level of danger that necessitates careful handling and protective measures during an emergency. Understanding the implications of these numbers is essential for anyone involved in emergency response to hazardous materials.