Guide Pages

Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances (Metric)

Change to Imperial Units

Small SpillsLarge Spills
First Isolate in all directionsThen Protect persons Downwind duringFirst Isolate in all directionsThen Protect persons Downwind during
DayNightDayNight
IDName of Materialmkmkmmkmkm
1384Sodium dithionite (when spilled in water)300.20.6600.82.7
 

Name of Material
 
 
Sodium dithionite
 
 
GUIDE
135
SUBSTANCES - SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTIBLE
 
POTENTIAL HAZARDS

FIRE OR EXPLOSION

  • Flammable/combustible material.
  • May ignite on contact with moist air or moisture.
  • May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.
  • Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water.
  • Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire.
  • May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
  • Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
  • Containers may explode when heated.

HEALTH

  • Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
  • Inhalation of decomposition products may cause severe injury or death.
  • Contact with substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
  • Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.
PUBLIC SAFETY
  • CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number on Shipping Paper first. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.
  • As an 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.
  • Stay upwind.
  • Keep unauthorized personnel away.
  • Keep out of low areas.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

  • Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
  • Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection.
  • Structural firefighters' protective clothing will only provide limited protection.

EVACUATION

Spill

  • See Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances for highlighted materials. For non-highlighted materials, increase, in the downwind direction, as necessary, the isolation distance shown under "PUBLIC SAFETY".

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.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE

FIRE

  • DO NOT USE WATER, CO2 OR FOAM ON MATERIAL ITSELF.
  • Some of these materials may react violently with water.
EXCEPTION: For Xanthates, UN3342 and for Dithionite (Hydrosulfite/Hydrosulphite) UN1384, UN1923 and UN1929, USE FLOODING AMOUNTS OF WATER for SMALL AND LARGE fires to stop the reaction. Smothering will not work for these materials, they do not need air to burn.

Small Fire

  • Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or DRY sand, EXCEPT for UN1384, UN1923, UN1929 and UN3342.

Large Fire

  • DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime EXCEPT for UN1384, UN1923, UN1929 and UN3342, or withdraw from area and let fire burn.
  • CAUTION: UN3342 when flooded with water will continue to evolve flammable Carbon disulfide/Carbon disulphide vapors.
  • Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk.

Fire involving Tanks or Car/Trailer Loads

  • Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles.
  • Do not get water inside containers or in contact with substance.
  • Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out.
  • Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.
  • ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.

SPILL OR LEAK

  • Fully encapsulating, vapor protective clothing should be worn for spills and leaks with no fire.
  • ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area).
  • Do not touch or walk through spilled material.
  • Stop leak if you can do it without risk.

Small Spill

EXCEPTION: For spills of Xanthates, UN3342 and for Dithionite (Hydrosulfite/Hydrosulphite), UN1384, UN1923 and UN1929, dissolve in 5 parts water and collect for proper disposal.
  • CAUTION: UN3342 when flooded with water will continue to evolve flammable Carbon disulfide/Carbon disulphide vapors.
  • Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain.
  • Use clean non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal.
  • Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.

FIRST AID

  • Move victim to fresh air.
  • Call 911 or emergency medical service.
  • 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 warm and quiet.
  • Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves.
 
 
 
 
Date modified:
2012-08-08