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1 � • BENZENE Known Site Contaminant: Benzene ' Highest Concentration Observed: (specify units and media) Contaminant Data Fire and Explosion Hazard FLAMMABLE Flashback along vapor trail may occur Vapor may explode if ignited in an enclosed area Heavy concentrations of vapor are heavier than air and may travel considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back (USCG, 1985) ' Protective Clothing Avoid breathing vapors Wear half-mask negative pressure respirator with organic vapor cartridges if exposure is above 0 5 ppm but below 10 ppm Full face respirator has maximum use concentration of 50 ' ppm Keep upwind Wear boots and protective gloves (goggles if splash likely) Do not handle broken packages without protective equipment Wash away any material that may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water ((C)AAR, 1986) ' Health Hazards VAPOR Irritating to eyes, nose and throat If inhaled, may cause dizziness, giddiness, and headache Severe exposure may result in difficult breathing or loss of consciousness LIQUID Irritating to skin and eyes may be absorbed through the skin Harmful if swallowed (USCG, 1985) CHRONIC Blood disorders (anemia, leukemia) The ACGIH TLV Committee considers benzene as a"confirmed human carcinogen " ' General Description Benzene is a clear colorless liquid with a characteristic aromatic odor It is used to make other chemicals, as a solvent, and as a gasoline additive It has a flash point of 12 deg F , and has a LEL of 1 3%(13,000 ppm) It is lighter than water and insoluble in water Its concentrated vapors are heavier than air ((C)AAR, 1986) V Press at 68 deg F = 75 mm Hg Fire Fighting Procedures Do not extinguish fire unless flow can be stopped Use water in flooding quantities as fog Solid streams of water may spread fire Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water Apply ' water from as far a distance as possible Use foam, carbon dioxide or dry chemical ((C)AAR, 1986) Spill Cleanup Keep sparks,flames,and other sources of ignition away Keep material out of water sources and sewers Build dikes to contain flow as necessary Attempt to stop leak if without hazard Use water spray to knock-down vapors Land spill Dig a pit,pond,lagoon,holding area to contain liquid or solid material ' Dike surface flow using soil,sand bags,foamed polyurethane,or foamed concrete Absorb bulk liquid with fly ash, cement powder, sawdust, or commercial sorbents Apply fluorocarbon-water foam to diminish vapor and fire hazard Water spill Use natural barriers or oil spill control booms to limit spill ' motion Use surface active agent (e g detergent, soaps, alcohols) to compress and thicken spilled material Infect"universal" gelling agent to solidify encircled spill and increase effectiveness of booms If dissolved, apply activated carbon at ten times the spilled amount in region of 10 ppm or greater concentration Remove trapped material with suction hoses Use mechanical dredges or lifts to remove Page 20 of 27