# Guide 137: Substances - Water-Reactive - Corrosive

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** ERG 2024 Guide 137
- **title:** Guide 137: Substances - Water-Reactive - Corrosive
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** U.S. DOT / Transport Canada / SICT
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2024-04-04
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** ERG2024 response Guide 137: Substances - Water-Reactive - Corrosive.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-137.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-137.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-137
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/erg/guide?number=137
**body:**

GUIDE
137
Substances - Water-Reactive - Corrosive
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
HEALTH
•
CORROSIVE and/or TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
may cause severe injury, burns or death.
•
Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
•
Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air.
•
Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
•
Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
FIRE OR EXPLOSION
EXCEPT FOR ACETIC ANHYDRIDE (UN1715), THAT IS FLAMMABLE, some of these materials may
burn, but none ignite readily.
May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.).
Substance will react with water (some violently), releasing corrosive and/or toxic gases and runoff.
Flammable/toxic gases may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.).
Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.
Substance may be transported in a molten form.
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.
Keep unauthorized personnel away.
Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
•
•
•
•
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.
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 204
ERG 2024

Substances - Water-Reactive - Corrosive
GUIDE
137
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
FIRE
•
When material is not involved in fire, do not use water on material itself.
Small Fire
•
Dry chemical or CO2.
•
If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
Large Fire
•
Flood fire area with large quantities of water, while knocking down vapors with water fog. If insufficient
water supply, responders should withdraw.
Fire Involving Tanks, Rail Tank Cars or Highway Tanks
•
Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out.
•
Do not get water inside containers.
•
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
•
Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing.
•
Stop leak if you can do it without risk.
•
Use water spray to reduce vapors; do not put water directly on leak, spill area or inside container.
•
Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material.
Small Spill
•
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.
•
Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.
FIRST AID
Refer to the “General First Aid” section.
Specific First Aid:
•
For corrosives, in case of contact, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 30
minutes. Additional flushing may be required.
•
Removal of solidified molten material from skin requires medical assistance.
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 205
- **truncated:** false
- **body characters:** 4360