R1 Explosive when dry
R2 Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition
R3 Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition
R4 Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds
R5 Heating may cause an explosion
R6 Explosive with or without contact with air
R7 May cause fire
R8 Contact with combustible material may cause fire
R9 Explosive when mixed with combustible material
R10 Flammable
R11 Highly flammable
R12 Extremely flammable
R14 Reacts violently with water
R14/15 Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely flammable gases
R15 Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases
R15/29 Contact with water liberates toxic, extremely flammable gases
R16 Explosive when mixed with oxidising substances
R17 Spontaneously flammable in air
R18 In use, may form flammable/explosive vapour-air mixture
R19 May form explosive peroxides
R20 Harmful by inhalation
R20/21 Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin
R20/21/22 Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R20/22 Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed
R21 Harmful in contact with skin
R21/22 Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed
R22 Harmful if swallowed
R23 Toxic by inhalation

213.212.77.20...

original news source: www.freenewmexican.com

A chemist from Los Alamos National Laboratories is analyzing data from a chemical fire in hurricane-devastated New Orleans.

Bob Kroutil, based in Los Alamos, and meteorologist Mark Thomas of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency were working with lab-developed equipment attached to an airplane Friday.

They inspected smoke plumes from a burning railroad car filled with chloromethane gas, Kroutil said by telephone from Los Alamos, where he was analyzing the data. Thomas was in the plane with a pilot and co-pilot.


Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

original information source: www.freenewmexican.com

Chloromethane has a faint, sweet odor that is noticeable only at levels that may be toxic. It is heavier than air and is extremely flammable. It is soluble in water, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, glacial acetic acid, and absolute alcohol. It reacts with ammonia to form methyl amine hydrochlorides, and slowly decomposes in the presence of water to become corrosive to metals. It reacts explosively with lithium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Spontaneously flammable aluminum trimethyl is formed upon reaction of chloromethane with aluminum in the presence of trace aluminum chloride.

Exposure to high levels of chloromethane can cause convulsions, coma, and death. The central nervous system is the major target of chloromethane toxicity. Exposure at lower levels can cause staggering, blurred or double vision, dizziness, fatigue, personality changes, confusion, tremors, muscle cramping, headache, uncoordinated movements, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. Exposure can harm the liver and kidneys and affect the heart rate and blood pressure. People who have kidney or liver disease, anemia, or neurological deficits may be more susceptible to the toxic effects of chloromethane.

Please visit the link provided for the complete information, re-distributed for educational purposes. Permission to reprint granted by the National Safety Council, a membership organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health.