ERG 2024 · Guide 136

Substances - Spontaneously Combustible - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Air-Reactive)

UN3206 · Alkali metal alcoholates, self-heating, corrosive, n.o.s.

Class 4.3

Dangerous When Wet placard (DOT 49 CFR §172)

CHEMTREC · 24/7

1-800-424-9300

Right now: Move upwind. Isolate 100 m minimum. Deny entry. Call CHEMTREC with shipping paper in hand.

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Potential Hazards

Health

Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; ingestion of substance or inhalation of decomposition products will cause severe injury or death.
Contact with substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
Some effects may be experienced due to skin absorption.
Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental contamination.

Fire or explosion

Extremely flammable; will ignite itself if exposed to air.
Burns rapidly, releasing dense, white, irritating fumes.
Substance may be transported in a molten form.
May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
Containers may explode when heated.

Public Safety

General

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).
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.
For Phosphorus (UN1381): Special aluminized protective clothing should be worn when direct contact with the substance is possible.

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.

Emergency Response

Fire

Small Fire

Water spray, wet sand or wet earth.

Large Fire

Water spray or fog.
Do not scatter spilled material with high-pressure water streams.
If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

Fire Involving Tanks, Rail Tank Cars or Highway Tanks

Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles.
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.
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.

Small Spill

Cover with water, sand or earth. Shovel into metal container and keep material under water.

Large Spill

Dike for later disposal and cover with wet sand or earth.
Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.

First Aid

Refer to the “General First Aid” section.

Specific First Aid:

In case of contact with substance, keep exposed skin areas immersed in water or covered with wet bandages until medical attention is received.

Removal of solidified molten material from skin requires medical assistance.

Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes at the site and place in metal container filled with water. Fire hazard if allowed to dry.