Hazard ID and Properties of Hazardous Substances Heritage Group Safety HAZWOPER Training

Hazard ID and Properties Hazard ID and Properties of Hazardous Substancesof Hazardous Substances

Heritage Group SafetyHeritage Group Safety

HAZWOPER TrainingHAZWOPER Training

IntroductionIntroduction

• In a response situation personnel may be In a response situation personnel may be exposed to a number of hazardous exposed to a number of hazardous substances because of their chemical substances because of their chemical characteristics and physical properties. characteristics and physical properties.

• Basic knowledge of these characteristics Basic knowledge of these characteristics and properties is paramount to personal and properties is paramount to personal safety. safety.

Topics of Discussion

• In Chapter 2 of ManualIn Chapter 2 of Manual

• Hazardous SubstancesHazardous Substances

• Physical Properties of ChemicalsPhysical Properties of Chemicals

BIOLOGICAL HAZARDSBIOLOGICAL HAZARDS• The Five Biological Agents which can The Five Biological Agents which can

cause infection or disease in humans.cause infection or disease in humans.

• What are they?What are they?

• Like chemical hazards Biological Like chemical hazards Biological Hazards can be dispersed via air and Hazards can be dispersed via air and water.water.

• Protection against these hazards is the Protection against these hazards is the same as for chemical hazards. same as for chemical hazards.

RADIATION HAZARDSRADIATION HAZARDS

• The three types of Radiation: Alpha, Beta The three types of Radiation: Alpha, Beta and Gammaand Gamma

• Alpha and Beta are particle radiation while Alpha and Beta are particle radiation while Gamma is wave radiationsGamma is wave radiations

• All are referred to as IONIZING Radiation All are referred to as IONIZING Radiation and can upset human cellular functionand can upset human cellular function

Alpha and BetaAlpha and Beta

• The Alpha is positively charged The Alpha is positively charged ++

• The Beta is negatively charged The Beta is negatively charged - -

• Both are normally repelled by clothing or Both are normally repelled by clothing or skin. They are dangerous when they enter skin. They are dangerous when they enter the body through ingestion or inhalation.the body through ingestion or inhalation.

CHEMICAL HAZARDSCHEMICAL HAZARDS

• Fire HazardsFire Hazards

• Explosive HazardsExplosive Hazards

• Toxic HazardsToxic Hazards

• Corrosive HazardsCorrosive Hazards

• Chemical ReactivityChemical Reactivity

• Physical PropertiesPhysical Properties

Fire HazardsFire Hazards

• Combustibility

• Flammability

• Pyrophorics

• Gas or Vapor Explosions

CombustibilityCombustibility

• The ability of a material to act as a fuelThe ability of a material to act as a fuel

• OSHA says combustibles have flash point OSHA says combustibles have flash point between 100° F and 200° Fbetween 100° F and 200° F

• Anything that can be readily ignited and Anything that can be readily ignited and sustain a firesustain a fire

• Anything that can’t is considered non-Anything that can’t is considered non-combustiblecombustible

The Fire Triangle

FUEL

OXYGENHEAT

FlammabilityFlammability

• The ability of a material (gas or liquid) to The ability of a material (gas or liquid) to produce sufficient vapors to be ignited and produce sufficient vapors to be ignited and produce a flame under normal conditions.produce a flame under normal conditions.

• There must be a proper fuel to air mixture There must be a proper fuel to air mixture to sustain combustion. Each material has to sustain combustion. Each material has its own mixture range called “Flammable its own mixture range called “Flammable Range”.Range”.

UFL and LFLUFL and LFL

• Concentrations < the Concentrations < the LFL will not burn LFL will not burn because they are too because they are too “lean”.“lean”.

• Concentrations > the Concentrations > the UFL will not burn UFL will not burn because they are too because they are too “rich”.“rich”.

OSHA FLAMMABLE

• OSHA considers anything flammable if it has a flash point below 100°F.

• Flashpoint - See Section 2, page 14.

REGULATORY CONFUSIONREGULATORY CONFUSION

• OSHAOSHA-Flammable: < 100°F-Flammable: < 100°F

Combustible: 100F-200°FCombustible: 100F-200°F

Will Not Burn: > 200°FWill Not Burn: > 200°F

• DOTDOT- Flammable: < 141°F- Flammable: < 141°F

Combustible: > 141°F but < 200°FCombustible: > 141°F but < 200°F

Non-Hazardous: Anything > 200°FNon-Hazardous: Anything > 200°F

• EPAEPA- Anything < 140°F is “Ignitable”- Anything < 140°F is “Ignitable”

GAS OR VAPOR EXPLOSIONSGAS OR VAPOR EXPLOSIONS

• A Rapid, Violent Release of EnergyA Rapid, Violent Release of Energy

• Large amounts of kinetic energy, heat and Large amounts of kinetic energy, heat and gaseous products are released. gaseous products are released.

• The KEY is confinement of a Flammable The KEY is confinement of a Flammable Material. The combustion reaction is more Material. The combustion reaction is more rapid and confinement increases energy rapid and confinement increases energy which enhances the explosive process.which enhances the explosive process.

UEL and LELUEL and LEL

• Explosive gases and vapors exhibit an explosive range which is the same as the flammable range.

• The UEL (Upper Explosive Limit) and the LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) are the same as UFL and LFL, but in confined areas.

• Again, CONFINEMENT is the Key!

EXPLOSIVE HAZARDSEXPLOSIVE HAZARDS

• An Explosive is a substance which An Explosive is a substance which undergoes very rapid chemical undergoes very rapid chemical transformation producing large amounts of transformation producing large amounts of gases and heat.gases and heat.

• Because of the heat the gases expand at Because of the heat the gases expand at velocities exceeding the speed of sound velocities exceeding the speed of sound which in turn produces a shock wave and which in turn produces a shock wave and noise.noise.

Types of Explosive HazardsTypes of Explosive Hazards

• High or DetonatingHigh or Detonating- Very rapid chemical - Very rapid chemical transformation with detonation rates as high transformation with detonation rates as high as four miles per second:as four miles per second:

1. Primary High Explosive 1. Primary High Explosive

2. Secondary High Explosive2. Secondary High Explosive

• Low or DeflagratingLow or Deflagrating- Deflagration rate up - Deflagration rate up to 1,000 feet per second.to 1,000 feet per second.

Detonating Detonating vsvs Deflagrating Deflagrating

• In a In a Detonation Detonation rapidly expanding gases rapidly expanding gases produce a shock wave which may be produce a shock wave which may be followed by combustion.followed by combustion.

• In a In a DeflagrationDeflagration combustion is generally combustion is generally followed by a shock wave.followed by a shock wave.

(See examples in Section , page 8)(See examples in Section , page 8)WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS?WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS?

TOXIC HAZARDSTOXIC HAZARDS

• Toxic hazards cause either a local or Toxic hazards cause either a local or systemic effect on an organism and while systemic effect on an organism and while death is not always certain it is an death is not always certain it is an immediate concern. immediate concern.

• Types of toxic hazards are classified as to Types of toxic hazards are classified as to their physiological effect on the organism: their physiological effect on the organism: poisoning, asphyxiation, sensitization, and poisoning, asphyxiation, sensitization, and carcinogenicity are a few.carcinogenicity are a few.

Dose - ResponseDose - Response

• Toxic effects on human beings depends on Toxic effects on human beings depends on the length and amount of the length and amount of exposureexposure and the and the level of level of toxicitytoxicity (its lethal dose) of the (its lethal dose) of the material. material.

HAZARD = EXPOSURE + TOXICITYHAZARD = EXPOSURE + TOXICITY

• Therefore, as the dose (length of exposure Therefore, as the dose (length of exposure and amount of exposure) increases the and amount of exposure) increases the human response increases also. human response increases also.

CORROSIVE HAZARDSCORROSIVE HAZARDS

• Corrosion is the process of material degradation. Corrosive materials may destroy human tissue, metals, plastics and other materials.

• Common corrosives are halogens, acids and bases. Skin irritation and possible irreversible tissue destruction are possible with exposure to corrosives.

Acids, Bases and pHAcids, Bases and pH

• Materials that form the greatest number of Materials that form the greatest number of hydrogen ions (H+) are the strongest acids. hydrogen ions (H+) are the strongest acids. Those that form the most hydroxide ions Those that form the most hydroxide ions (OH-) are the strongest bases.(OH-) are the strongest bases.

• The H+ ion concentration in solution is The H+ ion concentration in solution is called pH. Therefore, strong acids have a called pH. Therefore, strong acids have a low pH and strong bases have a high pH low pH and strong bases have a high pH (fewer H+ ions) See pH scale on page 2-9.(fewer H+ ions) See pH scale on page 2-9.

CHEMICAL REACTIVITYCHEMICAL REACTIVITY

• Reactivity HazardsReactivity Hazards- a chemical which - a chemical which undergoes a violent reaction with water or undergoes a violent reaction with water or under normal ambient temperatures. under normal ambient temperatures. (Pyrophoric liquids and water- reactive (Pyrophoric liquids and water- reactive flammable solids).flammable solids).

Chemical ReactionsChemical Reactions

• A Chemical Reaction is the interaction of two or more substances, resulting in chemical changes.

• Exothermic, which give off heat, can be the most dangerous.

• Endothermic reactions require a separate heat source to continue the reaction.

CompatibilityCompatibility

• When two or more hazardous materials When two or more hazardous materials remain in contact with each other remain in contact with each other indefinitely they are indefinitely they are compatiblecompatible. .

• On a waste clean-up site any number of On a waste clean-up site any number of instances where chemicals may be mixed are instances where chemicals may be mixed are possible. One must know if such materials possible. One must know if such materials are compatible. If they are not, reactions are compatible. If they are not, reactions may range from explosion to gas release. may range from explosion to gas release.

CompatibilityCompatibility

• See examples in Section 2, page12.See examples in Section 2, page12.

• WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS?CONSIDERATIONS?

IT’S MOVIE TIME!IT’S MOVIE TIME!

• “Introduction to Hazardous Chemicals”

• The Emergency Film Group, Plymouth, MA

• 508-746-0466

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CHEMICALSPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CHEMICALS

• One of the most ignored parts of an MSDS One of the most ignored parts of an MSDS is the part where Physical is the part where Physical Properties ofProperties of ChemicalsChemicals are listed. are listed.

• Most people do not understand Physical Most people do not understand Physical Properties. Properties.

• Evaluating risk on an incident depends on Evaluating risk on an incident depends on understanding these properties.understanding these properties.

Solubility/MiscibilitySolubility/Miscibility

• The amount of chemical The amount of chemical (solid, liquid, gas (solid, liquid, gas or vapor)or vapor) which can be dissolved in water which can be dissolved in water at 68°F. Measured in percent, the higher at 68°F. Measured in percent, the higher the percentage, the more chemical that will the percentage, the more chemical that will dissolve in water.dissolve in water.

• Example: Sugar is 100% soluable. Example: Sugar is 100% soluable.

• Miscibility refers, specifically, to the Miscibility refers, specifically, to the solubility of a solubility of a liquid.liquid.

Density and Specific GravityDensity and Specific Gravity

• The Density of a substance is its mass per unit volume, commonly expressed in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc).

• The density of water is 1 g/cc. • Specific Gravity is the density of a chemical

compared to that of water. If the SpG is less than 1g/cc the chemical will float. If SpG is more than 1 g/cc it will sink.

Vapor DensityVapor Density

• The The DensityDensity of a gas or vapor can be of a gas or vapor can be compared to the ambient atmosphere. If the compared to the ambient atmosphere. If the density of a vapor or gas is greater than density of a vapor or gas is greater than ambient air, it will tend to settle. ambient air, it will tend to settle.

• If If Vapor DensityVapor Density is close to, or less than, is close to, or less than, ambient air it will rise or disperse in the ambient air it will rise or disperse in the atmosphere. atmosphere.

• Discuss hazards page 2-13.Discuss hazards page 2-13.

Vapor Density, continuedVapor Density, continued

• What are the hazards of a gas or vapor What are the hazards of a gas or vapor which will settle? Use which will settle? Use Carbon MonoxideCarbon Monoxide as an example. as an example.

• How about How about GasolineGasoline vapors? vapors?

Vapor PressureVapor Pressure

• Pressure exerted, by a vapor, on the sides Pressure exerted, by a vapor, on the sides of a closed container. of a closed container.

• It is Temperature Dependent. As It is Temperature Dependent. As temperature increases, so does Vapor temperature increases, so does Vapor Pressure.Pressure.

• The lower the boiling point of a liquid, the The lower the boiling point of a liquid, the greater vapor pressure it will exert at a greater vapor pressure it will exert at a given temperature.given temperature.

Vapor Pressure, continuedVapor Pressure, continued

• Values for Values for Vapor PressureVapor Pressure are most often are most often given as millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).given as millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

• NIOSH HandbookNIOSH Handbook

• Examples: Ammonia- VP= 8.5 atm (p. 262) Examples: Ammonia- VP= 8.5 atm (p. 262) Carbon Monoxide (p. 54) Carbon Monoxide (p. 54)

Methyl hydrazine (p. 210)Methyl hydrazine (p. 210)

Atmospheric Pressure - 760 mm Hg.Atmospheric Pressure - 760 mm Hg.

Boiling PointBoiling Point

• Temperature at which liquid changes to Temperature at which liquid changes to vapor. The temperature where the pressure vapor. The temperature where the pressure of the liquid equals atmospheric pressure of the liquid equals atmospheric pressure (760 mm Hg). (760 mm Hg).

• What it the boiling point of What it the boiling point of AmmoniaAmmonia??

• What is the boiling point of What is the boiling point of Sulfuric AcidSulfuric Acid??

• What is the What is the route of entryroute of entry for each of these? for each of these?

Melting PointMelting Point

• Temperature at which a solid changes to a liquid. It is also the freezing point-depends on the direction of the change.

• Example: Water (ice) = 32°F

Flash PointFlash Point

• The minimum temperature at which a The minimum temperature at which a substance produces sufficient flammable substance produces sufficient flammable vapors to ignite:vapors to ignite:

• Highly FlammableHighly Flammable

• Moderately FlammableModerately Flammable

• Relatively InflammableRelatively Inflammable

Odor ThresholdOdor Threshold

• The minimum concentration of a substance The minimum concentration of a substance in air that can be detected by the human in air that can be detected by the human sense of smell. sense of smell.

• It is different for each person. It is different for each person. Ammonia= 5 ppm Ammonia= 5 ppm

Ethyl alcohol= 10 ppm Ethyl alcohol= 10 ppm

• The ACGIH STEL for Ammonia 25 ppm. The ACGIH STEL for Ammonia 25 ppm. What does this mean? What does this mean?

IDENTIFYING HAZARDS

Knowledge of the Hazards of various substance and an understanding of

Physical Properties can be the difference between life and death.