Flammable properties, chemical substances

Professor Martel s book addresses specifically some of the more technical eispects of the risk assessment process, mainly in the areas of hazard identification, and of the consequence/effect analysis elements, of the overall analysis whilst where appropriate setting these aspects in the wider context. The book brings together a substantial corpus of information, drawn from a number of sources, about the toxic, flammable and explosive properties and effect (ie harm) characteristics of a wide range of chemical substances likely to be found in industry eind in the laboratory, and also addresses a spectrum of dangerous reactions of, or between, such substances which may be encountered. This approach follows the classical methodology and procedures of hazard identification, analysing material properties eind... 

Physico-chemical properties for substances supplied at <100 kg per annum Flash point (for liquids) or flammability... 

Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic and flammable gas. A 5-minute exposure to 1,000 ppm concentration in air can be fatal to humans (Patnaik, P. 1999. A Comprehensive Guide to the Hazardous Properties of Chemical Substances, 2nd ed. New York John Wiley). The symptoms are headache, nausea, nervousness, cough, eye irritation, and insomnia. High doses can produce unconsciousness and respiratory paralysis. 

Naphtha Various volatile and often flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures used as solvents and diluents consists mainly of hydrocarbons with higher boiling point than gasolines and lower boiling point than kerosene principal component of chemical dispersants used prior to 1970. Naphthenes Class of hydrocarbons with similar physical and chemical properties to alkanes insoluble in water, generally boil at 10-20°C higher than corresponding carbon number alkanes. Narcosis Stupor or unconsciousness produced by chemical substances. 

In some cases it is necessary also to take into account hazards arising from other properties, such as the physical state of the substance or mixture (e.g. pressure and temperature) or properties of substances produced by certain chemical reactions (e.g. flammability of gases produced by contact with water). 

Chemical properties—The properties of a substance that can only be observed by the substance going through a chemical reaction, for example, flammability or chemical reactivity. 

This table gives properties related to the flammability of about 900 chemical substances. The properties listed are ... 

The physical, chemical and hazardous properties of a number of highly toxic or flammable substances that were in the past or being currently used in the warfare have been discussed in detail in several chapters in this book. Some of these compounds are further discussed under specific chapters, such as. Sulfur Mustards, Nerve Gases, Dioxin and Related Compounds and Napalm. These and many other compounds are in most cases grouped together in this book based on their chemical structures along with their toxic or flammable properties. Presented below is a brief discussion on various types of chemicals weapons developed for military applications. Explosive substances have been omitted from this section. They are discussed separately in this book under topics such as Explosive Characteristics of Chemical Substances, Nitro Explosives, Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides and also under specific title compounds in various chapters. 

An important part of both safety report and safety program is Analysis and Assessment of Major Accident Risks (hereinafter called risk analysis ), in which hazards sources (equivalent term to risk sources) is considered to be chemical substance with one or more hazardous properties (e.g. flammability, explosiveness, acute toxicity etc.). 

Sax s Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials, 8th edition, three volumes, Richard J. Lewis, Sr., Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1992. This compilation of data for 20,000 chemical substances contains much of the information found in a typical MSDS, including physical and chemical properties, data on toxicity, flammability, reactivity, and explosibility, and a concise safety profile describing symptoms of exposure. This is a useful reference for checking the accuracy of an MSDS and a valuable resource to assist workers in preparing their own LCSSs. 

Hazard identification a process to identify hazards and associated risk to persons, property, and structures and to improve protection from natural and human-caused hazards Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) a process to identify hazards and associated risk to persons, property, and structures and to improve protection from natural and human-caused hazards HIRA serves as a foundation for planning, resource management, capability development, public education, and training and exercises Hazard operability study a structured means of evaluating a complex process to find problems associated with operability or safety of the process Hazard rating (NFPA) classification system that uses a four-color diamond to communicate health, flammability, reactivity, and speciflc hazard information for a chemical substance a numbering system that rates hazards from zero (lowest) to four (highest)... 

Hazardous properties. The hazards of the chemical substance should be ascertained. Some disinfectants are flammable, corrosive, or toxic. 

The primary risk of utilizing flammable substances is the specific risk of fire, which is, of course, a severe threat to both property and personnel. In addition, many flammable chemicals do in fact have associated health risks that are independent of their flammable properties for example, many organic solvents are quite toxic, while some are also carcinogens, mutagens, or teratogens as well. However, since the fire hazard is usually the... 

Highly hazardous chemical substance possessing toxic, reactive, flammable, or explosive properties. 

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