Flammable liquids xylene

Benzene is a flammable liquid and its vapors are toxic and explosive. Low concentrations are dangerous on continued inhalation because benzene affects the blood forming function of the bone marrow and it is a cancirogen. Dermatitis may result from repeated skin contact. Alkyl derivatives such as toluene and xylenes are far less toxic and are, therefore, much safer than benzene for use in solvents. Some of the symptoms of benzene poisoning are dizziness, constriction of the chest, and tightening of the leg muscles. 

Clear, colorless, flammable liquid with an aromatic odor similar to propylbenzene, ethylbenzenes, or xylenes. 

Xylene CAS number UN number Classification Hazard class TSCA Flash point, PMCC OSHA PEL Vapor pressure 1330-20-7 UN 1307 Flammable liquid 3 Reported in TSCA inventory 83°F (28°C) TWA 100 ppm STEL 150 ppm 6.72 mmHg 70°F (21°C)... 

The xylene isomers are flammable liquids and should be stored in approved closed containers with appropriate labels and away from heat and open flames. The vapor can travel along the ground to an ignition source. In the event of fire, foam, carbon dioxide, and dry chemical are preferred extinguishers. The xylenes are mildly toxic. They are mild skin irritants, and skin protection and the cannister-type masks are recommended. 

The xylenes are colorless, flammable liquids with properties that are significantly different from each other or significantly similar to each other, depending upon the perspective and the need for separation of the isomers. 

Uses Xylene occurs in the manufacture of different petroleum products and as an impurity in benzene and toluene. It is a colorless and flammable liquid. Commercial xylene is a mixture of three isomers, namely, ortho-, meta-, and paraisomer. It is extensively used in industries associated with paints, rubber, inks, resins, adhesives, paper coating, solvents, and emulsifiers. It also is used in the manufacture of plasticizers, glass-reinforced polyesters, and alkyl resins. Xylene is used as an important raw material. 

Flammable liquids include organic solvents widely used in silicone production, such as benzene, toluene, xylene (a mixture of isomers), chlorobenzene, methyl, ethyl and butyl alcohols. 

A flammable chemical substance is a solid, liquid, vapor, or gas that ignites easily and burns rapidly in air. Many of the flammable chemicals used in laboratories are flammable liquids and organic solvents. The vapors of these chemical substances form ignitable mixtures with air. Based on the flash points of these chemicals, classifications are made. The flash point of a chemical substance is defined as the lowest temperature at which a fuel-air mixture present above the surface of a liquid will ignite, if an ignition source is present. The common flammable chemical substances include, but are not restricted to, acetone, benzene, cyclohexane, ethanol, ethyl acetate, ethyl ether, gasoline, hexane, isopropyl alcohol, methanol, propanol, tetrahydro-furan and toluene, and xylene. 

Perhaps the most important recent case in this area of the law is Shell Oil Co. V. Gutierrez,which illustrates several principles, including the principle that a manufacturer s lack of access to the final form in which the product reaches the user is simply one of the considerations bearing on the existence and extent of the manufacturer s duty. In this case, labels were held deficient in that they failed to provide information on how to dispose of empty containers of xylene-a flammable liquid with explosive vapors. 

Shell sold xylene in tankcars and trucks with labels marking the contents as flammable—keep away from heat, sparks, flame. The xylene was sold to a distributor who stored it in tanks and then packaged it in 55 gallon drums. The distributor s labels marked the drums as flammable liquid. A retailer, a Shell jobber, purchased the drums from the distributor and sold them, in this case, to Westinghouse. Westinghouse used the solvent liquid to clean varnish from electrical motors. All the trouble started when an empty drum wound up in the vicinity of a Westinghouse welder. The vapors in the empty drum exploded causing serious injuries. 

Shell had objected to the trial court s exclusion of expert testimony as to whether the flammable liquid label was adequate, although it allowed testimony on the various propensities of xylene. It was proper, the court said, to exclude testimony by an expert on a matter where the jury is competent to determine the fact in issue, where the facts can be intelligently described to and understood by the jurors so that they can form reasonable opinions for themselves. The court quoted from Walton v. Sherwin-Williams Co., 191 F2d277 at 285-86 (8th Cir. 1951)... 

EXPLOSION and FIRE CONCERNS a highly flammable liquid NFPA rating Health 2, Flammability 2, Reactivity 1 vapors form explosive mixtures with air, explosive reactions with bromine pentafluoride, chromium trioxide, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, sodium peroxide ignites on contact with pot issium-tert-butoxide incompatible or reacts violently with acetaldehyde, acetic anhydride, chromic acid, nitric acid, ammonium nitrate, chlorine trifluoride, (nitric acid + acetone), perchloric acid, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, xylene use water spray, dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide for firefighting purposes. 

Alkali Metal Dispersion Alkaline Earth Metal Dispersion Finely divided alkali or alkaline earth metal, e.g. metallic sodium suspended in a flammable liquid such as toluene, xylene, naphtha, kerosene, etc. Reacts violently with moisture, water or acids, evolving hydrogen, which may be ignited by the heat of reaction. IMO 4324... 

The flammability of mists is much less well known than that of va-pour/air and dust/air mixtures. Flammable mists are similar in many ways to dusts and are produced when fine droplets of a flammable liquid are dispersed in air. This can occur when involatile flammable liquids such as xylene or kerosene are transferred rapidly into a vessel. Rapid pumping and splashing into the vessel, particularly if it is empty, causes fine droplets to be dispersed in air and can produce a mist, which can be flammable even at temperatures 100-200°C below the flashpoint of the parent liquid. 

Mixing cellulose esters in nonpolar hydrocarbons, such as toluene or xylene, may result in static electricity buildup that can cause a flash fire or explosion. When adding cellulose esters to any flammable liquid, an inert gas atmosphere should be maintained within the vessel (129). This risk may be reduced by the use of conductive solvents in combination with the hydrocarbon or by use of an antistatic additive. Protective clothing and devices should be provided. 

Class 3 Flammable liquids (e.g. diesel, xylene, methanol, alcohol)... 

The flash point of a liquid is the minimum temperature at which its vapor pressure is sufficiently high to produce a flammable mixture with air above the liquid. Therefore, the generation of a flammable gas or vapor cloud for liquids whose flash points are above the ambient temperature, e.g., xylene (see Table 3.1), is only possible if they are released at elevated temperatures or pressures. In such... 

MITI is currently undergoing research to develop technology for the recycling of non-flammable plastics such as those used in business machines and computers. Their National Institute for Resources and Environment plans to decompose, without the production of harmful substances, non-flammable polymers by means of liquid phase hydrocracking, and to recover from them light oils such as benzene, toluene and xylene. The key to the technology, it is claimed, lies in the development of a catalyst which will be able to combine hazardous substances such as bromine and chlorine contained in the waste plastics. 

Ignitability-flammability. A liquid that has a flash point of less than 60°C (140°F) is considered ignitable. Some examples are benzene, hexane, heptane, benzene, pentane, petroleum ether (low boiling), toluene, and xylene(s). 

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