POTENTIAL HAZARDS |
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- TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin. |
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. |
- Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. |
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. |
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- Substance does not burn but will support combustion. |
- Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. |
- These are strong oxidizers and will react vigorously or explosively with many materials including fuels. |
- May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). |
- Some will react violently with air, moist air and/or water. |
- Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release toxic and/or corrosive gas through pressure relief devices. |
- Containers may explode when heated. |
- Ruptured cylinders may rocket. |
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PUBLIC SAFETY |
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover. |
- Keep unauthorized personnel away. |
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream. |
- Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks, etc.). |
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped. |
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- Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). |
- Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE. |
- Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. |
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Immediate precautionary measure |
- Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions. |
Spill |
- See Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances. |
Fire |
- If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. |
- In Canada, an Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) may be required for this product. Please consult the shipping paper and/or the ERAP Program Section (page 390). |
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EMERGENCY RESPONSE |
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Small Fire |
CAUTION: These materials do not burn but will support combustion. Some will react violently with water. |
- Contain fire and let burn. If fire must be fought, water spray or fog is recommended. |
- Water only; no dry chemical, CO2 or Halon®. |
- Do not get water inside containers. |
- If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. |
- Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists. |
Fire Involving Tanks |
- Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. |
- Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. |
- Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. |
- Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. |
- ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. |
- For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. |
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- Do not touch or walk through spilled material. |
- Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. |
- Stop leak if you can do it without risk. |
- Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. |
- Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. |
- If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. |
- Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. |
- Isolate area until gas has dispersed. |
- Ventilate the area. |
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- Call 911 or emergency medical service. |
- Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. |
- Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. |
- Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. |
- Do not perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; wash face and mouth before giving artificial respiration. Use a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. |
- Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. |
- Clothing frozen to the skin should be thawed before being removed. |
- Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. |
- In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. |
- Keep victim calm and warm. |
- Keep victim under observation. |
- Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. |
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