# Guide 159: Substances (Irritating)

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** ERG 2024 Guide 159
- **title:** Guide 159: Substances (Irritating)
- **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 159: Substances (Irritating).
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-159.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-159.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-159
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/erg/guide?number=159
**body:**

GUIDE
159
Substances (Irritating)
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
HEALTH
•
Inhalation of vapors or dust is extremely irritating.
•
May cause burning of eyes and lachrymation (flow of tears).
•
May cause coughing, difficult breathing and nausea.
•
Brief exposure effects last only a few minutes.
•
Exposure in an enclosed area may be very harmful.
•
Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
•
Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
•
•
FIRE OR EXPLOSION
Some of these materials may burn, but none ignite readily.
Containers may explode when heated.
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.
Large Spill
•
•
Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
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.
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ERG 2024

Substances (Irritating)
GUIDE
159
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
FIRE
Small Fire
•
Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.
Large Fire
•
Water spray, fog or regular foam.
•
If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
•
•
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.
•
For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw
from area and let fire burn.
SPILL OR LEAK
•
Do not touch or walk through spilled material.
•
Stop leak if you can do it without risk.
Small Spill
•
Pick up with sand or other non-combustible absorbent material and place into containers for later
disposal.
Large Spill
•
Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal.
•
Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.
FIRST AID
Refer to the “General First Aid” section.
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
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