# Guide 136: Substances - Spontaneously Combustible - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Air-Reactive)

**Citation:** ERG 2024 Guide 136  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** U.S. DOT / Transport Canada / SICT  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2024-04-04

ERG2024 response Guide 136: Substances - Spontaneously Combustible - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Air-Reactive).

## Document text

GUIDE
136
Substances - Spontaneously Combustible -
Toxic and/or Corrosive (Air-Reactive)
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
FIRE OR EXPLOSION
•
Extremely flammable; will ignite itself if exposed to air.
•
Burns rapidly, releasing dense, white, irritating fumes.
•
Substance may be transported in a molten form.
•
May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
•
Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
•
Containers may explode when heated.
•
•
•
•
•
HEALTH
Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; ingestion of substance or inhalation of decomposition products will cause
severe injury or death.
Contact with substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
Some effects may be experienced due to skin absorption.
Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental
contamination.
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.
Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
Keep unauthorized personnel away.
•
•
•
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
•
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.
•
For Phosphorus (UN1381): Special aluminized protective clothing should be worn when direct
contact with the substance is possible.
EVACUATION
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.
Spill
•
•
For highlighted materials: see Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
For non-highlighted materials: increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind
direction, as necessary.
Fire
•
If tank, rail tank car or highway tank 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.
Page 202
ERG 2024

Substances - Spontaneously Combustible -
Toxic and/or Corrosive (Air-Reactive)
GUIDE
136
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
FIRE
Small Fire
•
Water spray, wet sand or wet earth.
Large Fire
•
Water spray or fog.
•
Do not scatter spilled material with high-pressure water streams.
•
•
If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
Fire Involving Tanks, Rail Tank Cars or Highway 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.
•
Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.
•
ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames.
SPILL OR LEAK
•
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.
•
Do not touch or walk through spilled material.
•
Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing.
•
Stop leak if you can do it without risk.
Small Spill
•
Cover with water, sand or earth. Shovel into metal container and keep material under water.
Large Spill
•
Dike for later disposal and cover with wet sand or earth.
•
Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.
FIRST AID
Refer to the “General First Aid” section.
Specific First Aid:
•
In case of contact with substance, keep exposed skin areas immersed in water or covered with wet
bandages until medical attention is received.
•
Removal of solidified molten material from skin requires medical assistance.
•
Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes at the site and place in metal container filled with
water. Fire hazard if allowed to dry.
In Canada, an Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) may be required for this product.
Please consult the shipping paper and/or the "ERAP" section.
ERG 2024
Page 203

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/erg/guide?number=136>
- Source ID: `phmsa-erg-2024`
- SHA-256: `d1b1789726049aba8b065ac30db2a0a44a4bfc218600268a197a7be39b5a9446`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-13T11:31:32.574Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T21:32:26.639Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-erg-2024-guide-136`

### Source metadata

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