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~ ETHYL BENZENE Known Site Contaminant:Ethylbenzene Highest Concentration Observed: unknown;in soil. (specify units and media) Contaminant Data: Fire and Explosion Hazard: FLAN AABLE. 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: r Avoid breathing vapors. Keep upwind. Wear boots,protective gloves,and goggles. Do not handle broken packages without protective equipment. Wash away any material which 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 bum 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 °F. It is lighter than water and insoluble in water. Its vapors are heavier than air. ((C)AAR, 1986) Fire Fighting Procedures: ..r 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 "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: .r If this chemical comes in contact with the eyes,immediately wash the eyes with large amounts of water,occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately. Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this chemical. If this chemical comes in contact with the skin,flush the contaminated skin with water promptly. If this chemical penetrates the clothing,immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water promptly. If irritation persists after washing,get medical attention. If a person breathes in large amounts of this chemical,move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped,perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible. If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 1987) Page 23 of 32 V