Why is an oxidizer dangerous

Appropriate protective clothing should be worn if the possibility of skin contact is likely. Open-toe shoes are not appropriate when handling chemicals in a laboratory or in other areas where there is a potential for exposure. Brandeis employees who work with hazardous chemicals must be apprised of the hazards of chemicals present in their work area.

This training must be provided before initial assignment to a lab and distribution of keys or must work under supervision before training occurs. Lab personnel need to be trained on how oxidizers react with other materials, the identity and location of oxidizers in the lab, the proper measure to handle and store oxidizers and measures to be used to clean up spills of oxidizers. The use of certain concentrations of perchloric acid must be performed in a fume hood equipped with washdown facilities.

The need for safety shielding should be reviewed and utilized any time there is a risk of explosion, splash hazard or a highly exothermic reaction. All manipulations of oxidizing chemicals, which pose this risk, should occur in a fume hood with the sash in the lowest feasible position 18 inches or less. Oxidizers should be stored in a cool and dry location. Segregate oxidizers from all other chemicals in the laboratory.

Minimize the quantities of strong oxidizers stored in the laboratory. DO NOT return excess chemicals to the original container. Impurities may be introduced into the container which may cause a fire, explosion or other unwanted event or contamination. Anticipate emergency situations, have proper handling equipment in the lab and readily available for spills. Check the MSDS to determine what is appropriate.

It is important to be able to identify oxidizers based on their chemical name or by reading the Safety Data Sheet. Oxidizers have different strengths. Nitric acid. Perchloric acid.

Inorganic peroxides. Nitric acid and perchloric acid are strong oxidizers as well as corrosive. Some oxidizers are highly toxic and have chronic health effects e.

Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and rinse the affected skin immediately with copious amounts of water for 15 minutes or until pain is relieved.

Seek medical attention if the skin is irritated or pain is felt or if the chemical is highly toxic. Eye Contact: Use the eye wash to rinse the eye thoroughly for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower eyelids and rolling the eyeballs.

Seek medical attention. Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse the mouth with water. Always consult with the SDS for emergency procedures specific to the chemical you are using. Spills: Sweep up spills of solid oxidizers carefully with a broom and dustpan. Collect the material in a container with lid. Liquid spills can be cleaned up with inert absorbent pads no organic material. If the liquid oxidizer is an acid, the spill should first be neutralized with sodium bicarbonate. Separate oxidizers from organic chemicals, reducing agents, and combustible materials by using secondary containment or storing them on different shelves.

Store them away from heat sources. Keep waste streams containing oxidizers separate from organic waste and waste containing reducing agents. Accidental mixing of oxidizers and organics in closed waste containers has caused several accidents in recent history. Be extremely careful when labeling and filling waste containers.

Toggle navigation Menu. Incidents Emergencies. Emergency Response Incident Reporting and Investigation. Preparedness and Spill Procedures. The usual source of oxygen for burning is air. However, oxidizing materials can supply combustible substances with oxygen and support a fire even when air is not present. Although most oxidizing materials do not burn themselves, they can produce very flammable or explosive mixtures when combined with combustible materials like:.

Some oxidizing materials are also incompatible with non-combustible materials. These oxidizers can undergo dangerous reactions with water, inorganic acids or even other oxidizing materials. The MSDS for a particular oxidizing material should explain what other substances the oxidizer is incompatible with reacts in a dangerous fashion and any other conditions, such as heat, shock or friction, that could result in dangerous chemical reactions.

Oxidizing materials may be toxic or corrosive. Depending on the material, route of exposure inhalation, eye or skin contact, or swallowing and dose, they could harm the body. Corrosive oxidizers can also attack and destroy metal.

The MSDSs and the container labels should explain all of the hazards of the oxidizing materials that you use in the workplace. An example is ammonium perchlorate.

This material is a white or colourless, odourless crystals. It is used in explosives and fireworks; as an oxidizing agent in solid rocket and missile propellants; as an adhesive; as an engraving agent; laboratory analytical reagent; chemical intermediate for alkali and alkaline metal perchlorates; animal feed supplement; and in oxygen-generating devices for life-support systems in submarines, spacecraft, bomb shelters and breathing apparatus.

Ammonium perchlorate can decompose at high temperatures forming toxic gases, such as chlorine, hydrogen chloride and nitrogen oxides. Closed containers or tanks may rupture and explode if heated.

It does not burn but is a powerful oxidizer and explosive when mixed with combustible materials. It is highly reactive and impact or high temperatures can cause violent decomposition or explosion. It can form shock-sensitive mixtures with finely powdered metals, metal oxides, strong reducing agents, sulfur and phosphorus.