124 Gases
Toxic and/or Corrosive
Oxidizing

POTENTIAL HAZARDS

HEALTH

• 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 may cause pollution.

FIRE OR EXPLOSION

• 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.
• Containers may explode when heated.
• Ruptured cylinders may rocket.

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 100 to 200 meters (330 to 660 feet) in all directions.
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Stay upwind.
• Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks).
• Keep out of low areas.
• Ventilate closed spaces before entering.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

• Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
• Wear chemical protective clothing which 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.

EVACUATION

Spill

• See the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances for highlighted substances. For non-highlighted substances, increase, in the downwind direction, as necessary, the isolation distance shown under "PUBLIC SAFETY".

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

• Small Fires: Water only; no dry chemical, CO2 or Halon.
• Contain fire and let burn. If fire must be fought, water spray or fog is recommended.
• Do not get water inside containers.
• Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk.
• Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists.

Fire involving Tanks

• Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders 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 hose holders or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn.

SPILL OR LEAK

• Fully encapsulating, vapor protective clothing should be worn for spills and leaks with no fire.
• 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.

FIRST AID

• Move victim to fresh air.
• Call 911 or emergency medical service.
• Apply artificial respiration if victim is not breathing.
• Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; induce 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.
• 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 warm and quiet.
• Keep victim under observation.
• Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed.
• Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, and take precautions to protect themselves.