167 Fluorine (Refrigerated Liquid)                                                                hpbutton.gif (1641 bytes)

POTENTIAL HAZARDS

HEALTH

* TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled. * Vapors are extremely irritating. * Contact with gas or liquefied gas will cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. * Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. * Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.

FIRE OR EXPLOSION

* Substance does not burn but will support combustion. * This is a strong oxidizer and will react vigorously or explosively with many materials including fuels. * May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). * Vapor explosion and poison hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. * Containers may explode when heated. * Ruptured cylinders may rocket.

PUBLIC SAFETY

* CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number on Shipping Paper first. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover. * Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 100 to 200 meters (330 to 660 feet) in all directions. * Keep unauthorized personnel away. * Stay upwind. * Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks).         * Keep out of low areas. * Ventilate closed spaces before entering.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

* Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). * Wear chemical protective clothing which is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection. * Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations. * Always wear thermal protective clothing when handling refrigerated/cryogenic liquids.

EVACUATION

Spill:   See the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances for highlighted substances. For non-highlighted substances, increase, in the downwind direction, as necessary, the isolation distance shown under "PUBLIC SAFETY".

Fire:   If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

FIRE

Small Fires:  Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or sand.

Large Fires:  * Water spray, fog (flooding amounts). * Do not get water inside containers. * Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk.

Fire involving Tanks:  * Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. * Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. * Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. * Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. * ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. * For massive fire, use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn.

SPILL OR LEAK

* Do not touch or walk through spilled material. * If you have not donned special protective clothing approved for this material, do not expose yourself to any risk of this material touching you. * Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. * A fine water spray remotely directed to the edge of the spill pool can be used to direct and maintain a hot flare fire which will burn the spilled material in a controlled manner. * Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. * Stop leak if you can do it without risk. * Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. * If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. * Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. * Isolate area until gas has dispersed. * Ventilate the area.

FIRST AID

* Move victim to fresh air. * Call 911 or emergency medical service. * Apply artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. * Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. * Clothing frozen to the skin should be thawed before being removed.            * Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. * In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. * Keep victim warm and quiet. * Keep victim under observation. * Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. * Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, and take precautions to protect themselves.

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