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#1 Posted : 25 November 2003 15:01:00(UTC)
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Posted By Shane Johnston
Two employees working on a vehicle which was damaged in a fire extinuished using dry powder. They are now experiening tight chest, sore throat and shortness of breath. They think it is down to the dry powder residue.

Has anyone any idea of the health hazards associated with dry powder?

Shane
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#2 Posted : 25 November 2003 15:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By Tyler
Dry powder is corrosive to both metal and skin. It is widely known to produce symptoms similar to those you describe.

It seems as though they may have used the extinguisher in a confined space and so have inhaled some of the powder.

These extinguishers are best suited to larger areas or outdoor usage.
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#3 Posted : 25 November 2003 15:56:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jane Blunt
Dear Shane
One supplier produces safety data sheets for its extinguishers - see this address
http://www.flameskill.co.uk/pages/hazchem.htm

Regards

Jane
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#4 Posted : 30 November 2003 16:07:00(UTC)
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Posted By Geoff Burt
I wasn't aware that there were dangers with powder extinguishers and the data sheets referred to by Jane don't seem to support that contention.

Where is your information from Tyler?
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#5 Posted : 30 November 2003 18:18:00(UTC)
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Posted By John Murgatroyd
What extinguisher ?
There a quite a few compounds used in dry powder extinguishers.
http://www.terralink-hor...onoammoniumphosphate.htm
(primary use fertiliser)
http://www.sinosi.com/En...etic%20Mica%20Powder.htm
http://www.etimine.com/mainuses.htm
(and follow boron to an msds)
http://www.hummelcroton.com/boron_m.html

Now, many of you are studying for quals in ohs...
Imagine how hard it is to find anything out if you are NOT in the safety industry !
AND it's easier to find things in other countries than in the UK...institutionalised secrecy and disinterest !
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#6 Posted : 01 December 2003 07:53:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jane Blunt
I agree with John that there are a lot of compounds in use in dry powder extinguishers. Before researching this subject I always thought that they were sodium bicarbonate.

However, beware of falling into the trap of looking up the wrong chemical - boron may well be used in extinguishers - but is it in the form of the element boron, or a compound?

You really need to know, because compounds are different from the elements from which they are formed. There is a substance that we put on our chips that contains a metal that reacts violently with water and a green poisonous gas (used for mass destruction in war-time) - I refer of course to common salt, which has neither of the aforementioned properties.

Even if you inhale a powder that is harmless, it is going to take your body some time to clear the lungs.


Jane
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#7 Posted : 01 December 2003 11:58:00(UTC)
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Posted By Rob Waldie
Try the Chubb website, they have MSDS's for all of their extinguishers including dry powder
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