Haz Mat Technician Course

Chemistry & Toxicology

Definitions and terminology

Objectives

To understand basic chemistry and toxicology terms (29 CFR 1910.120 (q) (6) (iii))To understand the 8 UN hazard classesTo demonstrate understanding by relating terms to decisions made on scene

Properties of Flammable Materials

Flash point - the temperature at which a fuel will give off enough vapors to flash near the surface but not continue to burn

Fire point - the temperature at which a fuel will give off enough vapors to support combustion

More Definitions...

Agency Flammable Combustible

DOT <141°F 141-200°F

OSHA <100°F >100°F

NFPA <100°F >100°F

EPA <140°F

Auto-ignition Temperature

The minimum temperature to which a fuel in air must be heated to start self-sustained combustion without a separate ignition source.

Gasoline? 800oF

Diesel? 400oF

Flammable Range

LEL

UEL

GAS

} Too Rich

Too Lean} The concentration of fuel in air required to burn. It falls between the LEL and UEL.

The wider the flammable range the more dangerous the fuel.

Vapor Pressure

Gasoline

The pressure molecules apply towards the atmosphere while trying to escape a liquid surface (evaporate).

Vapor molecules are always over a liquid, if the Vp is higher than the atmospheric pressure, the liquid will evaporate.

Boiling point is when a liquid’s Vp is equal to the atmospheric pressure.

Specific Gravity

The specific gravity of a product is the weight of the product compared to the weight of water (Water = 1)

Examples:Gasoline .68Parathion 1.27

Vapor Density

Vapor density is the weight of the product compared to air (Air = 1)Examples:

Gasoline 3.5Methane 0.55

Crossing state lines

Melting point

Boiling point

Sublimation

Mixing substances

Miscibility: The ability for two substances to mix so that they will not separate into phases. Alcohol into water, acid into water

Solubility: A measure of how much solute will dissolve into a solvent. Usually refers to water when possible, but obviously not everything dissolves in water.

UN Hazard Classes

Classes 1 – 9

UN hazard class

Symbol of the hazard

Color indicates hazard

Center may have words or UN ID number

Explosives

What is the difference between an explosion and rust?

Rate

Detonation exceeds the sound barrier and deflagration is slower than the sound barrier.

Gases

Burning state for all matter

May be kept under high pressure

Can be liquefied by pressure or temperature

Flammable Liquids

One of the most common commodities transported

If gasoline and diesel are carried together, it can be placarded with the worst hazard

Carried in MC-306 and MC-307

Toxicity is also a hazard

Flammable Solids

Some are water reactive such as sodium or calcium carbide.

Some are pyrophoric (reacts with air) such as phosphorus.

Oxidizers

Bring their own oxygen to the table

Make ordinary combustible highly flammable

Organic peroxides can breakdown into explosive crystals

MSST: Maximum safe storage temperature

SADT: Self accelerating decomposition temperature

Poisons

These are toxic to life

May be marked:

Marine pollutant

Keep from food stuffs

Inhalation hazard

Table II (49 CFR) commodity, meaning it is placarded for any amount being transported

Radioactive

Alpha radiation (α): About the size of a proton, its heavy and doesn’t travel far. Can be stopped by paper.

Beta radiation (β): About the size of an electron, travels farther than α but is still stopped by skin

Gamma (γ): Not a particle, it’s a wave. Travels through the body. Thick concrete, lead, or water can stop it.

TDS: Time, Distance, Shielding are your only protections from radiation.

Corrosives

1 7 14

pH is a measure of the H+ ion concentration. A pH of 7 is 10,000,000 times weaker an acid that a pH of 1.

wateracid base

Neutralization is an option for mitigation and decon for incidents involving corrosives.

Miscellaneous

Whatever didn’t fit in the other drawers.

Often these are dusts, ores, or hazardous wastes (n.o.s. – not otherwise specified)

ToxicityDose response: The relationship between the amount of a substance taken in over time and its effect.

BA

C

Time Time

BA

C

Which type of consumption will have the worst acute effect? How does this work with chronic effects?

Routes of entry

Abbreviations

Hours

PPM

TLV-TWA (PEL)

IDLH

Ceiling

Effects

Carcinogen: Cancer causing. “100% chance that being a lab rat causes cancer.” –unknown

Mutagen: DNA changing, will effect future offspring.

Teratogen: Effects a fetus.

MSDS

(a) Physical and chemical characteristics(b) Physical hazards of the material(c) Health hazards of the material(d) Signs and symptoms of exposure(e) Routes of entry(f) Permissible exposure limits(g) Responsible party contact(h) Precautions for safe handling (including hygiene practices, protective measures, procedures for cleanup of spills or leaks)(i) Applicable control measures including personal protective equipment(j) Emergency and first aid procedures

Pesticides

(a) Name of pesticide(b) Signal word Caution Warning Danger

(c) Precautionary statement(d) Hazard statement(e) Active ingredient

Pesticide Signal Words