Training for

Rescuers

Fire Training Wing

Emergency Services Academy
 Hazardous Material
Properties and Effects
 States of Matter

There are four states of matter.

•Solid

•Liquid

•Gas

•Plasma
 Properties of Matter
Physical Properties
A physical property is a characteristic of a
substance that can be observed or
measured without changing the identity of
the substance.

1.Boiling Point
The temperature at which liquid will
continually give off vapor in sustained
amount and, if held at that temperature
long enough, will eventually turn
completely into gas. Boiling point of
water is 212 F (100 C) .Water expands
1700 times of its original volume when it
boils.
 Properties of Matter
2.Melting Point
The melting point of a substance is the
temperature at which it changes state
from solid to liquid. At the melting point
the solid and liquid phase exist in
equilibrium.
3. Density
Density, is the substance's mass per unit
of volume. The symbol most often used
for density is ρ.
 Properties of Matter
4. Vapor Density (Gases & Volatile
Liquids )
The density of a gas or vapor relative to
hydrogen. Taking hydrogen as the reference
substance, the vapor density is the ratio of
the mass of a particular volume of a gas to
the mass of an equal volume of hydrogen
under identical conditions of pressure and
temperature. (Oxford Dictionary)

Vapor Density > 1 --- Heavier than Air

Vapor Density < 1 --- Lighter than Air

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 Properties of Matter
In the absence of reliable reference
sources in the field you can use the HA
HA MICEN mnemonic to remember
number of lighter than air gas.
H: Hydrogen
A: Acetylene
H: Helium
A: Ammonia
M: Methane
I: illuminating gas ( Neon , HCN)
C: Carbon monoxide
E: Ethylene
N: Nitrogen
 Properties of Matter
5. Specific Gravity ( Liquids &
Solids)
The ratio of the density of any substance to
the density of some other substance taken as
standard, water being the standard for liquids
and solids.
Specific Gravity > 1 --- Heavier than Water
Specific Gravity < 1 --- Lighter than Water
6.Vapor Pressure
Pressure exerted by vapor until the liquid and
vapor are in equilibrium –Directly related to
temperature.

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 Properties of Matter
7. Solubility
It is necessary to determine whether a
chemical will mix with water. Water is
predominate agent used to extinguish fire.
Always remember that when dealing with
chemical emergencies, water might not
always the best and safest option. It has
ability to react violently with certain other
chemicals ( Water Reactive Chemicals).
Additionally, fires involving chemicals
heavier than water can be extinguished by
gently applying water.

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 Properties of Matter

Chemical Properties
1. Flash point
Flash Point Temperature at which a
liquid will give off enough vapor to
ignite if subjected to an ignition source.
Flash point of Gasoline is -43 F.
2. Fire Point
Fire point is the temperature at which
sustained combustion will occur. It is
usually only slightly above the flash
point. Flash point of Gasoline is - 23 F

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 Properties of Matter
Chemical Properties
3. Ignition / Auto-ignition
Temperature
Ignition Temperature Autoignition
Temperature at which an external
ignition source is not needed to cause
vapors to combust.
4. Flammability
LEL (Lower Explosive Limit)
The lowest concentration (by
percentage) of a gas or vapor in air
that is capable of producing a flash of
fire in presence of an ignition source

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 Properties of Matter
Chemical Properties
UEL (Upper Explosive Limit)
The maximum concentration of a gas or
vapor that will burn in air is defined as the
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL). Above this
level, the mixture is too "rich" to burn.
5. Corrosivity
Corrosivity The ability of a material to cause
damage (on contact) to skin, eyes, or other
parts on the body Measured in pH.
•Acids: 0 to 6.9 ( < 2.5 = strong acid)
•Neutral: 7
•Bases: 7.1 to 14 ( > 12.5 = strong base)
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Classification of Containments
Type of Containment Size of Particle

Fume 0.001 to 1 micron

Smoke 1 to 10 micron

Dust 0.1 to 30 micron

Fog < 40 micron

Mist > 40 micron

Fibers L : W (3:1)

PM 2.5 (PICO METER) Particles < 2.5 Microns (Fine)

PM 10 (PICO METER) Particles < 10 Microns (Coarse)

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 Routes of Entry in Human Body
Hazardous Materials can enter into human body by following
mentioned routes:
Inhalation
Entry through inhalation is obviously respiratory in nature. Oxygen enters the
bloodstream and carbon dioxide is expelled through the respiratory system as
outgoing air. This process is known as respiration. In normal state human breathe
in and out 10–14 times per minute, with each breath lasting 4–6 s. In a minute,
4.3–5.7 L of air is breathed in.

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 Routes of Entry in Human Body

Ingestion
Ingestion of toxic or other substances is
through the mouth. When swallowing a substance,
the substance enters the digestive system and
ultimately into the bloodstream through the stomach
or intestinal tract.

Absorption
A substance can be absorbed through the
skin and enter the bloodstream and travel
throughout the body. A foreign substance will enter
the bloodstream through the skin more rapidly when
the skin has lacerations or abrasions.

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 Routes of Entry in Human Body
Injection
It occurs when a sharp object accidentally
punctures the skin and inserts a chemical into the
bloodstream or when a hazardous chemical is
sprayed on the skin at very high pressure.

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Industrial Chemicals

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 Classification of Chemicals
1. Oxidizing Chemicals

The group of chemicals which provide

oxygen for combustion. Most oxidizing
agents are not combustible but few
oxidizing agents are susceptible to
spontaneous decomposition and may
become cause of fire or explosion i.e.
chlorites, nitrates, nitrites or inorganic
peroxide etc.

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 Classification of Chemicals
2. Flammable and Combustible
Liquids:
The liquids which have flash point
below 100 degree F are known as
flammable liquids while liquids with
flash point at or above 100 degree F
are referred to as combustible liquids.
2.1 Spontaneously Combustible
a. Pyrophoric Chemicals:
A pyrophoric material as a liquid,
solid, or gas that will ignite
spontaneously in air.

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 Classification of Chemicals
b. Water Reactive Chemicals:
The chemicals which have ability
to react with water or air and
produces significant quantity of
heat during the reaction. For
example: Alkalis i.e. Sodium and
Potassium Hydroxide etc.

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 Classification of Chemicals
4. Toxic Chemicals
A toxic substance is a substance that can be
poisonous or cause health effects.

4.1 Lethal Dose (LD50)

Amount of material ( solid or liquid) that
kills 50% of laboratory animals.

4.2 Lethal Concentration (LC50)

Amount of material ( airborne
concentrations) that kills 50% of laboratory
animals.
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 Classification of Chemicals
4.3 Toxicity
The degree to which a substance can cause harm to an exposed
organism.
a. Acute Toxicity :
Ability to cause bodily damage from a single exposure. A sudden,
high-level exposure to an acute toxin can result as a severe injury
or even death i.e. Hydrogen cyanide, Hydrogen sulfide etc.
b. Chronic Toxicity :
Ability to cause systemic damage due to repeated exposures for
long time with low levels toxicity and produces severe injury i.e.
mercury, lead, formaldehyde.

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 Classification of Chemicals
4.4 Chemical Combinations:
Various chemicals react differently with other chemicals and
also have varying effects on human body in these varying
combinations
a. Additives:
The combined effects of the chemicals is equal to the sum of each
chemical independently. e.g. 2+2 = 4
b. Antagonistic:
When combined, the two chemicals interfere with each other.
Example: 3 + (-2) = 1.
c. Synergistic:
The combined effect of two chemicals is much greater than the sum
of the effect of each agent acting independently. Example: 2 + 2 = 10.
d. Potentiating:
One substance does not have a toxic effect on a certain organ
system; however, when it combines with another chemical, it makes the
combination of the two greater. An example is 2 + 0 = 10.
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 Classification of Chemicals
4.5 Exposure Limits Standards
There are following standards for exposure
limits.
•Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
established by Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA).
•Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) established
by American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH)
•Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs)
established by National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

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 Classification of Chemicals
Exposure Limits
a. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
[Mandatory]
•The U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA permissible exposure
limits (PELs) are legal limits enforceable in workplaces covered
under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
•OSHA PELs represent the legal maximum for a time-weighted
average (TWA) exposure to a physical or chemical agent over a
work shift (8 hours)
•OSHA short-term exposure limits (STELs) are the legal maximum
average exposure for a 15-minute time period.
•Some chemicals also have an OSHA ceiling value that represent
levels that must not be exceeded at any time.
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 Classification of Chemicals
b. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
(ACGIH®) [Recommendations]
ACGIH TLVs are not standards; they are health-based guidelines
derived from scientific and toxicological information.
•ACGIH provides TLV-TWA guidelines that are levels that should
not be exceeded during any 8-hour workday of a 40- hour
workweek.
•ACGIH also provides TLV-STEL guidelines which are 15-minute
exposure levels that should not be exceeded during a workday.
•Additionally, ACGIH provides TLV-Ceiling values which are
levels that should not be exceeded at any time during a work shift.

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 Classification of Chemicals
c. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) [Recommendations]
•NIOSH provides REL- TWA concentrations that should not be exceeded
over an 8 or 10-hour work shift, during a 40-hour workweek.
•NIOSH also provides STELs which are 15-minute TWA exposures that
should not be exceeded at any time during a workday.
•Some chemicals have ceiling values which are concentrations that should
not be exceeded at any time.
•For some chemicals, NIOSH has Immediately Dangerous to Life or
Health (IDLH) values. An IDLH value is a concentration of an air
contaminant that can cause death or immediate or delayed permanent
adverse health effects, or prevent escape from such an environment.

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 Classification of Chemicals
5. Health Hazard(May Cause Serious Health Effects)
5.1 Carcinogenic Chemicals
A group of chemicals which cause cancer or
suspected to cause cancer i.e. asbestos, benzene, tobacco
smoke, hexavalent chromium, and carbon tetrachloride.
5.2 Reproductive Toxin
a. Mutagen
A group of chemicals that change genetic material
( usually DNA) of an organism. i.e. ethidium, bromide, and
nitrous acid etc.
b. Teratogen
Chemicals that adversely affect a developing
embryo or fetus i.e. benzene, toluene, xylenes, alcohol,
nicotine or prohibited drugs etc.
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 Classification of Chemicals
6. Harmful (May Cause mild Health Effects)

6.1 Irritant
Chemicals which caused reversible irritation to the
eyes, respiratory tract, skin, and mucous membranes
through long-term/high concentration exposure i.e.
ammonia, halogens, dust, and pollen etc.
6.2 Sensitizers:
Sensitizers may cause little or no reaction upon first
exposure while repeated exposure may cause of
severe allergic reactions i.e. nickel salts,
diazomethane, and latex.

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 Classification of Chemicals

7. Corrosive
Chemicals which have destructive effect on
living tissues for example; inorganic acids i.e.
hydrochloric acid, Halogens i.e. bromine etc.

8. Environmental Hazard
Indicates substance that are toxic and cause
long lasting environmental effects. These chemicals
should be disposed-off carefully. Example Toxic
wastes , Pesticides

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Radioactive Materials:
Radioactivity is a natural and spontaneous process by which unstable
atoms of an element decay to a different state and emit or radiate excess
energy in the form of particles or waves. Unit of radiation dose is rad and
exposure is roentgen .
a.Ionizing Radiation b. Non-ionizing Radiation
Ultra violet
Alpha (Particle)
Visible Light
Beta (Particle)
Infrared
Neutron (Particle)
Microwave
Gamma ( Electromagnetic )
Radio frequencies
X-ray (Electromagnetic)
Laser
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THANKS