Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
0 3 1 ox	Health	3	Can cause serious or permanent injury.
	Flammability	0	Will not burn under typical fire conditions.
	Instability	1	Normally stable but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
	Special	OX	Possesses oxidizing properties.

A white granular solid (or tablets compressed from the granules) with an odor of chlorine. Toxic, irritating to the skin. Noncombustible, but will accelerate the burning of combustible materials. Prolonged exposure to fire or heat may result in the vigorous decomposition of the material and rupture of the container. Diluted samples may undergo reactions as described above if they contain less than 39% available chlorine but take longer to become involved and react less vigorously. Used for water purification, disinfectant for swimming pools, for bleaching paper and textiles.

• Strong Oxidizing Agent

Water soluble. Slowly decomposed by water with the evolution of gaseous chlorine and heat.

Experimental work at Argonne National Laboratory has determined that there is essentially no Cl2 gas formation; the substance is quite unreactive in water. This does not prevent Cl2 formation by a catalytic mechanism, but under normal conditions calcium hypochlorite is quite unreactive. The hydration reaction was rapid and quite exothermic. The small change in gas volume was attributed to this heating. (Argonne Report ANL/DIS-00-1, October 2000).

Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]:

These substances will accelerate burning when involved in a fire. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May explode from heat or contamination. Some will react explosively with hydrocarbons (fuels). May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]:

Inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)

CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE is a powerful oxidizing agent, particularly in the presence of water or as it decomposes when heated to release oxygen and chlorine gases. May react vigorously with carbon; reacts potentially explosively with finely divided carbon. Reacts with acetylene to form explosive chloroacetylenes. Reactions with organic matter, oil, hydrocarbons; alcohols may lead to explosions. Reactions with nitromethane, methanol, ethanol (and other alcohols) can become violent after a delay. Reacts with possible ignition and/or explosion with organic sulfur compounds and with sulfides. Decomposes evolving oxygen, a change that can be catalyzed by rust on metal containers. Forms highly explosive NCl3 on contact with urea or ammonia. Evolves highly toxic gaseous chlorine gas when heated or on contact with acids [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 1905]. A mixture with damp sulfur reacted violently, and molten sulfur was ejected [Chem Eng. News, 1965, 46(29), 6]. The combination of calcium hypochlorite, sodium hydrogen sulfate, starch, and sodium carbonate, when compressed, caused the materials to incandescence, followed by explosion, [Ind. Eng. Chem., 1937, 15, 282].

• Salts, Basic
• Oxidizing Agents, Strong

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below. More info about absorbents, including situations to watch out for...

• Cellulose-Based Absorbents
• Expanded Polymeric Absorbents

Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 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. If ammonium nitrate is in a tank, rail car or tank truck and involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, initiate evacuation including emergency responders for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]:

SMALL FIRE: Use water. Do not use dry chemicals or foams. CO2 or Halon® may provide limited control.

LARGE FIRE: Flood fire area with water from a distance. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]:

Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not get water inside containers.

SMALL DRY SPILL: With clean shovel, place material into clean, dry container and cover loosely; move containers from spill area.

SMALL LIQUID SPILL: Use a non-combustible material like vermiculite or sand to soak up the product and place into a container for later disposal.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]:

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2020)

No information available.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]:

Call 911 or emergency medical service. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. Contaminated clothing may be a fire risk when dry. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. Keep victim calm and warm. (ERG, 2020)

• CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE