Guide 157: Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible/Water-Sensitive)

ERG 2024 Guide 157, page 1GUIDE 157 Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible/Water-Sensitive) POTENTIAL HAZARDS HEALTH • TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. • Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. • Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. • Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. • Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental contamination. • • • • • • FIRE OR EXPLOSION Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. UN1802, UN2032, UN3084, UN3093, UN1796 (above 50%), UN1826 (above 50%), and UN2031 (above 65%) may act as oxidizers. Also consult GUIDE 140. Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.). Substance may react with water (some violently), releasing corrosive and/or toxic gases and runoff. Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water. 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 244 ERG 2024#

ERG 2024 Guide 157, page 2Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible/Water-Sensitive) GUIDE 157 EMERGENCY RESPONSE FIRE • Note: Some foams will react with the material and release corrosive/toxic gases. Small Fire • CO2 (except for Cyanides), dry chemical, dry sand, alcohol-resistant foam. Large Fire • Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. • If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. • Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product. • Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal. Fire Involving Tanks, Rail Tank Cars or Highway Tanks • Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices 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 in direct contact with flames. SPILL OR LEAK • ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. • All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. • Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. • Stop leak if you can do it without risk. • A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. • DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. • Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. • Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. 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. 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. • In case of skin contact with Hydrofluoric acid (UN1790), if calcium gluconate gel is available, rinse 5 minutes, then apply gel. Otherwise, continue rinsing until medical treatment is available. 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 245#