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KEROSENE
FIRE
REACTIVE
OTHER
DEGREE OF HAZARD
0 = Minimum Hazard
1 = Slight Hazard
2 = Moderate Hazard
3 = Serious Hazard
4 = Severe Hazard
COLOR CODING
HEALTH = BLUE
FIRE = RED
REACTIVITY = YELLOW
OTHER = WHITE
OTHER CODES
OX = Oxidizer
ACID = Acid
ALK = Alkali
COR = Corrosive
W = Use No Water
RCRA Number
EPA Class
D001
Kerosene
8008-20-6
Combustible Liquid
27
Molecular Formula
UN 1223
Synonyms
Fuel oil number 1; range oil; JP-1; kerosine; illuminating oil; coal oil; deobase; straight-run kerosene.
PEL:
Not
Established
REL:
14 ppm
3
100 mg/m
STEL:
Not
Established
STEL:
Not
Established
TLV:
Not
Established
Not
Determined
STEL:
Not
Established
5 at 100F (38C)
0.81
Molecular Weight (atomic weight)
170 (approx.)
Freezing Point
4.5
-50F (-45.5C)
Solubility
NFPA Classification
Autoignition Temperature
LEL: 0.7%
UEL: 5.0%
Use regular foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or water spray on small fires. For larger fires, use water
spray, fog, or regular foam. Use a blanketing or smothering technique with foam for best results.
Special Fire Fighting Procedures
Isolate fire area. Wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Poisonous gases are produced in fire.
Use water spray to cool fire-exposed containers until long after fire is out. Use non-sparking tools. Move
containers from fire area if it can be done without risk. Fight fire from distance, if possible.
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards
Dangerous fire and explosion hazard when exposed to heat or flame. Containers may explode in fire. The
vapor is heavier than air and may travel for some distance to cause fire in flashback to source.
1996 by CRC Press, Inc.
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Kerosene is normally stable under routine conditions of handling and storage. Avoid contact with heat,
flame, other sources of ignition, and contact with incompatible materials and chemicals.
Stability
Stable
Unstable
Conditions to Avoid
Hazardous
Polymerization
May Occur
Hazardous polymerization has not been reported to occur under normal conditions of temperature and
pressure.
When heated to decomposition, kerosene emits toxic and acrid fumes, such as oxides of carbon, partially
oxidized hydrocarbons, and trace quantities of sulfur dioxide.
Absorption (skin/eye)?
Ingestion?
Health Hazards
INHALATION: Symptoms include irritation of the nose, throat, and mucosa of the respiratory tract with
headache and drowsiness. High concentrations can cause feeling of suffocation, coma,
and death (respiratory arrest). Chronic exposures can lead to neurological impairment.
SKIN & EYES: Irritation with drying, cracking, redness, blistering (prolonged contact). May lead to contact dermatitis and secondary infection.
INGESTION:
May cause nausea, vomiting, headache and gastrointestinal irritation. Aspiration of vomit
into the lungs can cause serious pneumonitis and even pulmonary hemorrhage.
Carcinogenicity
NTP Listed?
Suspected Human
Suspected Animal
No
OSHA Regulated?
Target Organs?
No
Group 2A
None identified.
Emergency and First-aid Procedures
Eye contact: Do not allow victim to keep eyes tightly shut. Flush immediately with water for 15 minutes
(minimum); seek medical attention. Skin contact: Remove all contaminated clothing, including shoes.
Immediately wash area with flooding amounts of soap and water. Seek medical attention if blisters develop. For inhalation: Remove the person from exposure. Provide respiratory assistance and CPR.
Transfer to medical facility. If swallowed: Seek medical attention immediately. Give conscious person
milk or water to drink. Do NOT induce vomiting (possible aspiration of vomitus/chemical into the lungs).
Remove all ignition sources. Wear SCBA respiratory protection. Restrict those not wearing protective
equipment and who are not involved in cleanup from entering area. Avoid skin contact. Stop leak if it can
be done without risk. Provide maximum explosion-proof ventilation. Absorb with vermiculite or other
similar material and deposit in sealed containers. Use non-sparking tools during cleanup.
Preferred Waste Disposal Method
No Citation.
Precautions to be Taken in Handling and Storage
Store in tightly closed containers in cool, well-ventilated location. Keep away from sources of heat.
Other Precautions and Warnings
Sources of ignition such (open flame or smoking), are prohibited where kerosene is used or stored. Metal
containers should be bonded and grounded during transfer operations. Bulk storage not recommended.
Use an MSHA/NIOSH-approved air-purifying organic vapor respirator, a powered air purifying respirator, or
a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with full facepiece operated in positive pressure mode.
Ventilation
Impervious Material
Eye Protection
Work/Hygiene Practices
Always wash hands thoroughly after using chemical; never bring food, drink, or smoking materials into
vicinity of chemicals. Barrier creams may also be useful in protecting exposed skin surfaces.
1996 by CRC Press, Inc.
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KEROSENE
Formula varies with grade (may be C10 through C16)
CAS: 8008-20-6
2
0
Eye:
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;
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;
;
fire hazard and moderate explosion hazard when exposed to heat or flame. It is incompatible with commonly encountered oxidizers and caution is always
required in handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of kerosene. Emergency responders should be
made aware of the presence of kerosene at any emergency response situation.
Kerosene can enter the environment from industrial effluents and from spills.
6 Water Solubility
Kerosene is not soluble in water. Concentrations of 1
milligram will not mix with a liter of water.
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The concentration of kerosene found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of kerosene in the water from which
the fish was taken.
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REFERENCES
Ahlbom, A. 1993. Biostatistics for Epidemiologists. New York: CRC
Press/Lewis Publishers.
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. 1988.
Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices, 5th Edition (with updates). Cincinnati: ACGIH
Anthony, C. P., and N. J. Kolthoff. 1971. Textbook of Anatomy and
Physiology. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby Company.
Asante-Duah, D. K. 1993. Hazardous Waste Risk Assessment. New
York: CRC Press/Lewis Publishers.
Bloom, A. D. and F. J. DeSerres. 1995. Ecotoxicity and Human Health.
New York: CRC Press/Lewis Publishers.
Bueche, J. R. 1972. Principles of Physics, 2nd Edition. New York:
McGraw-Hill.