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ETHYLBENZENE ' Known Site Contaminant: Ethylbenzene ' 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 Irritating vapors are generated when heated Vapor is heavier than air and may travel considerable distance to the source of ignition and flash back (USCG, 1985) ' Protective Clothing Avoid breathing vapors Keep upwind Wear boots, protective gloves, and goggles 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,severe exposures may result in difficult breathing or loss of consciousness LIQUID Will burn skin and eyes Harmful if swallowed (USCG, 1985) General Description Ethyl benzene is a clear colorless liquid with an aromatic odor It is used as a solvent and to make other chemicals It has a flash point of 59 EF It is lighter than water and insoluble in water Its vapors are ' heavier than air ((C)AAR, 1986) 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, sandbags, foamed polyurethane,or foamed concrete Absorb bulk liquid with fly ash, cement powder, sawdust, or commercial sorbents Apply "universal' gelling agent to ' immobilize spill 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 Inject"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 immobilized masses of pollutants and precipitates Air ' spill Apply water spray or mist to knock down vapors ((C)AAR, 1986) First Aid Page 24 of 27 1