CERIUM, SLABS, INGOTS OR RODS

Cerium is a gray colored, ductile solid. This form of cerium is slabs, ingots or rods. When heated to high temperatures it will burn readily and may be difficult to extinguish. It is used to make signaling devices.

• Strong Reducing Agent
• Water-Reactive
• Air-Reactive

Finely divided metal powder is pyrophoric [Bretherick 1979 p. 170-171]. This material will react vigorously if exposed to water or moist air and will generate flammable and/or toxic fumes.

Excerpt from 170 [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

May react violently or explosively on contact with water. Some are transported in flammable liquids. May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames. Some of these materials will burn with intense heat. Dusts or fumes may form explosive mixtures in air. Containers may explode when heated. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 170 [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

Oxides from metallic fires are a severe health hazard. Inhalation or contact with substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)

CERIUM is a strong reducing agent. Resembles aluminum in its chemical properties. [Lewis]. Reactivity is enhanced by a state of high physical subdivision, as in TURNINGS OR GRITTY POWDER. Attacked by dilute and concentrated mineral acids and alkalis with the generation of flammable gases. Readily oxidized by moist air at room temperature. Reacts with zinc with explosively violence. Gives very exothermic reactions with antimony or bismuth. Reacts violently with phosphorus at 400-500°C [Mellor 8, Supp. 3:347 1971].

• Metals, Elemental and Powder, Active

No information available.

Excerpt from 170 [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

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 50 meters (160 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. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 170 [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

DO NOT USE WATER, FOAM OR CO2. Dousing metallic fires with water will generate hydrogen gas, an extremely dangerous explosion hazard, particularly if fire is in a confined environment (i.e., building, cargo hold, etc.). Use DRY sand, graphite powder, dry sodium chloride-based extinguishers, or class D extinguishers. Confining and smothering metal fires is preferable rather than applying water. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: If impossible to extinguish, protect surroundings and allow fire to burn itself out. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 170 [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. 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. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 170 [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2020)

No information available.

Excerpt from 170 [Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.)]:

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. 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)

• CERIUM, SLABS, INGOTS OR RODS
• CERIUM, [CRUDE]