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ERG 2024 Guide 172
Guide 172: Gallium and Mercury
2024 edition · published 2024-04-04 Government source
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ERG2024 supports first responders during the initial phase of a hazardous-materials transportation incident. It is not controlling regulation, a compliance determination, a chemical-specific worker safety document, or a substitute for required shipping-paper emergency-response information.
ERG 2024 Guide 172, page 1GUIDE 172 Gallium and Mercury POTENTIAL HAZARDS HEALTH • Inhalation of vapors or contact with substance will result in contamination and potential harmful effects. • Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. FIRE OR EXPLOSION • Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may react upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. • Runoff may pollute waterways. • • • 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). • Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. EVACUATION Immediate precautionary measure • • • Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions. Large Spill Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet). Fire When any large container is involved in a fire, consider initial evacuation for 500 meters (1/3 mile) in all directions. Page 274 ERG 2024#
ERG 2024 Guide 172, page 2Gallium and Mercury GUIDE 172 EMERGENCY RESPONSE FIRE • • Use extinguishing agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. Do not direct water at the heated metal. SPILL OR LEAK • 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. • Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. • Do not use steel or aluminum tools or equipment. • Cover with earth, sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. • For mercury, use a mercury spill kit. • Mercury spill areas may be subsequently treated with calcium sulphide/calcium sulfide or with sodium thiosulphate/sodium thiosulfate wash to neutralize any residual mercury. FIRST AID Refer to the “General First Aid” section. ERG 2024 Page 275#