POTASSIUM CHLORATE

A white crystalline solid. Forms a very flammable mixture with combustible materials. Mixture may be explosive if combustible material is very finely divided. Mixture may be ignited by friction. Contact with strong sulfuric acid may cause fires or explosions. May spontaneously decompose and ignite when mixed with ammonium salts. May explode under prolonged exposure to heat or fire. Used to make matches, paper, explosives, and many other uses.

• Explosive
• Strong Oxidizing Agent

Soluble in water.

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic fumes are formed in fires.

Behavior in Fire: Decomposes when hot to form oxygen, which increases severity of fire. (USCG, 1999)

Inhalation of dust can irritate nose and throat. Contact with eyes or skin causes irritation. Ingestion causes abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, cyanosis, collapse. (USCG, 1999)

Metal chlorates are oxidants in the presence of strong acid; liberates explosive chlorine dioxide gas; liberates chlorine dioxide and carbon dioxide by heating a moist metal chlorate and a dibasic organic acid; mixtures of perchlorates with sulfur or phosphorus are explosives [Bretherick 1979 p. 100]; mixtures of the chlorate with ammonium salts, powdered metals, silicon, sulfur, or sulfides are readily ignited and potentially explosive [Bretherick 1979 p. 806]. A combination of finely divided aluminum with finely divided bromates (also chlorates and iodates) of barium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, or zinc can explode by heat, percussion, or friction [Mellor 2:310. 1946-47]. An explosion occurred during heating of a mixture of potassium chlorate and magnesium [Chem. Eng. News 14:451. 1936]. Gaseous ammonia, mixed with air reacts so vigorously with potassium chlorate that the reaction could become dangerous [Mellor 8:217. 1946-47]. A mixture of potassium chlorate and sodium amide explodes [Mellor 8:258. 1946-47]. If a drop of a solution of sulfur dioxide in ether or alcohol is added to powdered potassium chlorate, the mass explodes [Mellor 2:311. 1946-47]. Potassium chlorate and sulfuric acid react to cause fire and possible explosions [Mellor 2:315. 1946-47].

• Oxidizing Agents, Strong

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

• Cellulose-Based Absorbents
• Expanded Polymeric Absorbents

Excerpt from 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 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 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)

Dust mask; rubber gloves; goggles; protective clothing to prevent contact with skin. (USCG, 1999)

No information available.

EYES: flush with water for at least 15 min.

SKIN: wash with soap and water.

INGESTION: dilute by drinking soapy or salty water to induce vomiting; call physician. (USCG, 1999)

• ANFORSTAN
• BERTHOLLET SALT
• BERTHOLLET'S SALT
• CHLORATE OF POTASH
• CHLORATE OF POTASSIUM
• FEKABIT
• POTASSIUM CHLORATE
• POTASSIUM OXYMURIATE
• POTCRATE