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Substances
Water-Reactive
(Emitting Flammable Gases)
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
FIRE OR EXPLOSION
- Produce flammable gases on contact with water.
- May ignite on contact with water or moist air.
- Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.
- May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
- Some are transported in highly flammable liquids.
- Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
HEALTH
- Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance, or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death.
- May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.
PUBLIC SAFETY
- 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.
- Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 50 to 100 meters (160 to 330 feet) in all directions.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind.
- Keep out of low areas.
- Ventilate the area before entry.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
- Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
- Structural firefighters' protective clothing will only provide limited protection.
EVACUATION
Large Spill
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 250 meters (800 feet).
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.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
FIRE
- DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM.
Small Fires
- Dry chemical, soda ash, lime
or sand.
Large Fires
- DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn.
- Move containers from fire
area if you can do it without risk.
Magnesium Fires
- DRY sand, sodium chloride
powder, graphite powder or Met-L-X powder.
Lithium Fires
- DRY sand, sodium chloride
powder, graphite powder, copper powder or Lith-X
powder.
Fire involving Tanks or Car/Trailer Loads
- 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.
- Dry chemical, soda ash, lime
or sand.
SPILL OR LEAK
- ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area).
- Do not touch or walk through 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 GET WATER on spilled
substance or inside containers.
Small Spills
- Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand, or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain.
- Dike for later disposal;
do not apply water unless directed to do so.
Powder Spills
- Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading and keep powder dry.
- DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST.
FIRST AID
- Move victim to fresh air.
- Call 911 or emergency medical service.
- Apply artificial respiration if victim is not breathing.
- Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.
- Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.
- In case of contact with substance, wipe from skin immediately; flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.
- Keep victim warm and quiet.
- Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, and take precautions to protect themselves.