Caustic agents, toxicity

The most common contamination exposure is by the respiratory route. Most chemical and biological agents are dispersed by aerosol, and most explosion scenes are very dusty and may contain toxic airborne particles. Bombs can be used to aerosolize chemical and biological agents. Clandestine drug labs frequently have caustic or toxic fumes or vapors. 

Chemical Reactivity - Reactivity with Water Reacts violently, forming corrosive and toxic fumes of hydrogen bromide Reactivity with Common Materials Attacks and corrodes wood and most metals in the presence of moisture. Flammable hydrogen gas may collect in enclosed spaces Stability During Transport Stable if protected from moisture Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics Hood with water, rinse with dilute sodium bicarbonate or soda ash solution Polymerization Not pertinent Inhibitor of Polymerization Not pertinent. 

Chemical Reactivity - Reactivity with Water Dissolves and reacts to form acid solution and toxic red oxides of nitrogen Reactivity with Common Materials Corrosive to most metals, but reaction is not hazardous Stability During Transport Stable Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics Flush with water. Residual acid may be neutralized with soda ash Polymerization Not pertinent Inhibitor of... 

Because of the vigorous reaction of urticants with caustics, household bleach is not an effective decontamination agent for large quantities of these materials. Reaction with hypochlorites, including household bleach, may produce toxic gases such as chlorine. 

---