Experiment 5 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)

UN Number: 1114
Name of Material: Benzene
Guide Number: 130
a) The general hazard classification guide identifier number for benzene is 130.
b) Benzene reacts violently with oxidants and halogens including the vapors
reacting in an explosion indoors, outdoors, or in sewers. Containers may
explode when heated. Highly flammable easily ignited by heat, sparks, or
flames. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and toxic gases. Vapors may also
travel to the source of ignition and flash back.
c) Long-term health effects caused by exposure to moderate to high levels of
benzene may include: trouble walking, excessive nervousness and irritability,
and shortness of breath. These adverse health effects may last up to 2
weeks. Additional adverse health effects may include abnormal heart rhythms
and yellow coloration of the skin. These effects may persist for up to 4 weeks.
Benzene is carcinogenic to humans. It has been associated with cancer of the
blood (leukemia), which may occur with chronic exposures to benzene of 10
ppm. Effects include fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite,
loss of weight, and weakness. Repeated or prolonged skin contact with liquid
benzene can remove the natural oils from the skin, causing it to crack and
peel. Repeated exposure to levels of benzene below 200 ppm may cause
headache, drowsiness, and nervousness. Chronic benzene exposure in the
workplace has been associated with blood (hematologic) disorders, such as
low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia), absence of red blood cells (aplastic
anemia), and loss of all types of blood cells due to bone marrow damage.
d) Benzene vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and
collect and stay in poorly-ventilated, low-lying, or confined areas (sewers,
basements, and tanks). Hazardous concentrations may develop quickly in
enclosed, poorly-ventilated, or low-lying areas. Keep out of these areas. Stay
upwind. Benzene liquid is less dense than water and will float on the surface
of water.
e) For small fires, use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or regular
foam. For large fires, use water spray, fog, or regular foam. Do not use
straight streams. Move containers from the fire area if it is possible to do so
without risk to personnel. For fire involving tanks or car/trailer loads, fight the
fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor
nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after the
fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety
devices or discoloration of tanks. Always stay away from tanks engulfed in
fire. For massive fire, use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles; if this is
impossible, withdraw from the area and let the fire burn. Run-off from fire
control or dilution water may cause pollution. If the situation allows, control
and properly dispose of run-off (effluent).

f) Do not touch or walk through the spilled agent if at all possible. However, if
you must, personnel should wear the appropriate PPE during environmental
decontamination. Keep combustibles (e.g., wood, paper, and oil) away from
the spilled agent. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud
drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact the spilled agent. Do not direct
water at the spill or the source of the leak. Stop the leak if it is possible to do
so without risk to personnel, and turn leaking containers so that gas rather
than liquid escapes. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements, or
confined areas. Isolate the area until gas has dispersed. Ventilate the area.
g) There is no antidote for benzene toxicity.
EYE:
Immediately remove the patient/victim from the source of exposure.
Immediately wash eyes with large amounts of tepid water for at least 15
minutes. Seek medical attention immediately.
INGESTION:
Immediately remove the patient/victim from the source of exposure. Ensure
that the patient/victim has an unobstructed airway. Do not induce vomiting.
Take measures to avoid stomach contents being taken into the lungs; i.e.,
place the patient/victim on their side. Activated charcoal has limited ability to
decrease gastrointestinal absorption of benzene. Once the airway is secured,
consider using a soft flexible nasogastric tube to aspirate the stomach
contents. Seek medical attention immediately.
INHALATION:
Immediately remove the patient/victim from the source of exposure. Evaluate
respiratory function and pulse. Ensure that the patient/victim has an
unobstructed airway. If shortness of breath occurs or breathing is difficult,
administer oxygen. Assist ventilation as required. Always use a barrier or bagvalve-mask device. If breathing has ceased, provide artificial respiration. If
cough, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath develop, evaluate for
respiratory tract irritation, inflammation of the large airways (bronchitis), and
inflammatory lung disease (pneumonia). Monitor for low blood pressure,
abnormal heart rhythms, and reduced respiratory function. In cases of
respiratory compromise, secure the airway and respiration by inserting a tube
within the trachea. If evidence of shock or low blood pressure is observed,
begin intravenous (IV) fluid administration. Avoid use of epinephrine for
alteration of heart rhythm due to possible sensitization of the heart muscle. If
seizures develop administer benzodiazepines. Seek medical attention
immediately.
SKIN:
Immediately remove the patient/victim from the source of exposure. Seek
medical attention immediately.
h) Guide number supplemented with the letter (P) indicates that the material
may undergo violent polymerization if subjected to heat or contamination.
i) No
j) Index entries highlighted are a TIH (Toxic Inhalation Hazard) material, a
chemical warfare agent or a Dangerous Water Reactive Material (produces
toxic gas upon contact with water). Immediately call the emergency response
number on the shipping product.

k) The isolation measure a first responder has to take depending on the material
is how far you must isolate yourself and others from the spill or exposure.
l) No