Hazardous Materials Description and Shipping Name:

BENZENE

GUIDE 130

FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS (Non-Polar / Water-Immiscible / Noxious)

POTENTIAL HAZARDS

FIRE OR EXPLOSION

• HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
• Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air.
• Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back.
• Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks).
• Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers.
• Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire.
• Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard.
• Containers may explode when heated.
• Many liquids are lighter than water.

HEALTH

• May cause toxic effects if inhaled or absorbed through skin.
• Inhalation or contact with material may irritate or burn skin and eyes.
• Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
• Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation.
• Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.

PUBLIC SAFETY

• CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number on Shipping Paper first. If Shipping Paper not available call the telephone numbers below or see in the Emergency Response Guidebook 2008.
  
  Canada: CANUTEC 613-996-6666 (collect calls are accepted) or *666 cellular
  United States: CHEMTREC 1-800-424-9300
  
  
• As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Stay upwind.
• Keep out of low areas.
• Ventilate closed spaces before entering.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

• Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
• Structural firefighters' protective clothing will only provide limited protection.

EVACUATION

Large Spill

• Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

Fire

• If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

FIRE

• CAUTION: All these products have a very low flash point: Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient.

Small Fire

• Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.

Large Fire

• Water spray, fog or regular foam.
• Do not use straight streams.
• Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk.

Fire involving Tanks or Car/Trailer Loads

• Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles.
• Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out.
• Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.
• ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.
• For massive fire, use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn.

SPILL OR LEAK

• ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area).
• All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded.
• Do not touch or walk through spilled material.
• Stop leak if you can do it without risk.
• Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.
• A vapor suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors.
• Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers.
• Use clean non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.

Large Spill

• Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal.
• Water spray may reduce vapor; but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces.

FIRST AID

• Move victim to fresh air.
• Call 911 or emergency medical service.
• Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing.
• Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.
• Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.
• In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.
• Wash skin with soap and water.
• In case of burns, immediately cool affected skin for as long as possible with cold water. Do not remove clothing if adhering to skin.
• Keep victim warm and quiet.
• Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance may be delayed.
• Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves.

This database is prepared only as a guide and has no legal authority; use the 49CFR regulations as the final authority. Information in the database reflects regulatory data that was current as of May 31, 2012.