# Introduction to the Alphabetical Material Index

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** ERG 2024, Introduction to the Alphabetical Material Index
- **title:** Introduction to the Alphabetical Material Index
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** U.S. DOT / Transport Canada / SICT
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2024-04-04
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** Official ERG2024 introduction to the alphabetical material index guidance, pages 90-90.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-blue-index-introduction.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-blue-index-introduction.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-blue-index-introduction
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2024-04/ERG2024-Eng-Web-a.pdf#page=90
**body:**

INTRODUCTION TO BLUE SECTION
For entries highlighted in green follow these steps:
•
•
Note 1: IF THERE IS NO FIRE:
- Go directly to Table 1 (green section)
-
- Look up the ID number and name of material
-
- Identify initial isolation and protective action distances
-
- Also consult the appropriate Orange Guide
-
IF A FIRE IS INVOLVED:
- Use the appropriate Orange Guide for EVACUATION distances
-
- Also protect in downwind direction according to Table 1 for residual
-
material release
If the name in Table 1 is shown with (when spilled in water), these materials produce
large amounts of Toxic Inhalation Hazard (TIH) (PIH in the US) gases when spilled in
water. Some water-reactive materials are also TIH materials themselves (e.g., UN1746
(Bromine trifluoride), UN1836 (Thionyl chloride)). In these instances, two entries are
provided in Table 1 for land-based and water-based spills. If a water-reactive material
only has one entry in Table 1 for (when spilled in water) and the product is NOT
spilled in water, Table 1 and Table 2 do not apply. You will find safe distances in the
appropriate Orange Guide.
Note 2: Explosives are not individually listed by their name because in an emergency situation,
the response will be based only on the division of the explosive, not on the individual
explosive.
For divisions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.5, refer to GUIDE 112.
For divisions 1.4 and 1.6, refer to GUIDE 114.
Note 3: Chemical and biological warfare agents are now found in the “Criminal or Terrorist
Use of Chemical, Biological and Radiological Agents” section.
Page 88
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