GUIDE 156 |
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SUBSTANCES - TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE (Combustible / Water-Sensitive) |
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POTENTIAL HAZARDS
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- Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. |
- Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff. |
- When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion hazards. |
- Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). |
- Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. |
- Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. |
- Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water. |
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- TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. |
- Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. |
- Reaction with water or moist air will release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. |
- Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. |
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. |
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution. |
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PUBLIC SAFETY
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- CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number on Shipping Paper first. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.
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- As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids. |
- Keep unauthorized personnel away. |
- Stay upwind. |
- Keep out of low areas. |
- Ventilate enclosed areas. |
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- Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). |
- Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection. |
- Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations where direct contact with the substance is possible. |
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Spill
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- See Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances for highlighted materials. For non-highlighted materials, increase, in the downwind direction, as necessary, the isolation distance shown under "PUBLIC SAFETY". |
Fire
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- 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. |
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EMERGENCY RESPONSE
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- Note: Most foams will react with the material and release corrosive/toxic gases. |
Small Fire
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- CO2, dry chemical, dry sand, alcohol-resistant foam. |
Large Fire
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- Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. |
- FOR CHLOROSILANES, DO NOT USE WATER; use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium expansion foam.
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- Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk. |
- Use water spray or fog; do not use straight streams. |
Fire involving Tanks or Car/Trailer Loads
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- Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. |
- Do not get water inside containers. |
- Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. |
- Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. |
- ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. |
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- ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area). |
- All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. |
- Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. |
- Stop leak if you can do it without risk. |
- A vapor suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. |
- FOR CHLOROSILANES, use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium expansion foam to reduce vapors.
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- DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers.
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- Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. |
- Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. |
Small Spill
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- Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. |
- Use clean non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal. |
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- Move victim to fresh air. |
- Call 911 or emergency medical service. |
- Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. |
- Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. |
- Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. |
- 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. |
- For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin. |
- Keep victim warm and quiet. |
- Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance may be delayed. |
- Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. |
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