CHLORINE DIOXIDE

Chlorine dioxide hydrate, frozen is an orange colored solid, appearing as a block of ice, with a faint odor of chlorine. It may only be shipped in the frozen state and then only by private or contract motor carrier. The melting point of the hydrate is around 30°F. If it should thaw and further warm up, chlorine dioxide gas is given off. The gas is toxic by inhalation. The gas and liquid are violently decomposed by organic materials. The gas will decompose explosively at temperatures below the boiling point of water. It is used to bleach wood pulp, fats and oils; in processing flour, and for water purification.

Chlorine dioxide is a yellow to reddish gas or a red-brown liquid below 52 deg. F. with an unpleasant odor similar to chlorine.

• Explosive
• Strong Oxidizing Agent
• Water-Reactive

Decomposes in water, products likely to include gaseous Cl2 (Lewis 2000).

Reacts with water to produce toxic and corrosive fumes of chlorine. Based on a scenario where the chemical is spilled into an excess of water (at least 5 fold excess of water), half of the maximum theoretical yield of Chlorine gas will be created in 0.14 minutes. Experimental details are in the following: "Development of the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Distances for the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook", ANL/DIS-09-2, D.F. Brown, H.M. Hartmann, W.A. Freeman, and W.D. Haney, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, June 2009.

Excerpt from 143 [Oxidizers (Unstable)]:

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

Excerpt from 143 [Oxidizers (Unstable)]:

TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases. Toxic fumes or dust may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.). Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)

CHLORINE DIOXIDE is a powerful oxidizer of low stability. Explodes violently on the slightest provocation as gas or liquid even below -100°C by impact [Sidgwick, 1950, 1203; Stedman, R. F., Chem Eng. News, 1951, 29, p. 5030]. Mixtures with carbon monoxide, methane, ethane, propane, ethylene or butadiene always explode spontaneously. Concentrations of greater than 10% in air are explosive. Severe explosion hazard when heated to 100°C. Sensitive to shock and sunlight. Explodes on contact with mercury, potassium hydroxide, phosphorus, phosphorus pentachloride, sulfur, difluoramine, trifluoramine, sugar. Very sensitive to the presence of any easily oxidized material. These may, even in minute quantities, trigger a decomposition. Materials such as rubber, hydrocarbons, carbon, iron, rust, reactive metals, and organics such as sawdust have all caused problems. [Inorganic Chemistry Handbook]. Emits highly toxic fumes of chlorine gas upon decomposition. Can react violently with fluorine, reducing reagents or finally dispersed organic matter [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 1292].

• Oxidizing Agents, Strong
• Halogenating Agents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

• Cellulose-Based Absorbents
• Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
• Expanded Polymeric Absorbents
• Dirt/Earth

Excerpt from 143 [Oxidizers (Unstable)]:

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.

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 9191 datasheet.

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. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 143 [Oxidizers (Unstable)]:

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. Do not get water inside containers: a violent reaction may occur.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal. 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 143 [Oxidizers (Unstable)]:

Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.

SMALL SPILL: Flush area with large amounts of water.

LARGE SPILL: DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Chlorine dioxide:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, the worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.

Provide:
• EYEWASH (LIQUID) - Eyewash fountains should be provided (when this chemical is in liquid form) in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection.
• QUICK DRENCH (LIQUID) - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided (when this chemical is in liquid form) within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2023)

No information available.

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Chlorine dioxide:

Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY (LIQUID) - If this chemical in liquid form contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin: SOAP WASH IMMEDIATELY (LIQUID) - If this chemical in liquid form contacts the skin, immediately wash the contaminated skin with soap and water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing, wash the skin with soap and water, and get medical attention promptly.

Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY (LIQUID) - If this chemical in liquid form has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2023)

• CHLORINE DIOXIDE
• CHLORINE DIOXIDE HYDRATE, [FROZEN]
• CHLORINE DIOXIDE, HYDRATE
• CHLORINE DIOXIDE, HYDRATE, FROZEN
• CHLORINE OXIDE
• CHLORINE OXIDE (CLO2)
• CHLORINE PEROXIDE