Which of the following is a potential hazard associated with working with solvents in coatings?

Flammability is a significant hazard when working with solvents in coatings due to the fact that many solvents are highly volatile and can easily ignite when exposed to heat, sparks, or open flames. This characteristic poses a serious risk in environments where coating processes often take place, as the presence of flammable vapors can lead to accidents, fires, or explosions. Proper safety precautions, such as implementing good ventilation, using appropriate personal protective equipment, and maintaining safe storage practices, are essential to mitigate this risk.

In contrast, while high viscosity, low adhesion, and high cost can all be factors to consider in the selection and use of coatings, they do not represent immediate safety hazards in the same way that flammability does. High viscosity may impact application processes, low adhesion might affect the performance of the coating, and high cost is a budgetary concern. Nonetheless, these factors do not pose direct dangers to health and safety in the same manner as the fire risk associated with flammable solvents.