Reaction mass of potassium and sodium

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

Personnel should pay attention to their own safety. Remove all contaminated clothing immediately. Immediately seek medical attention.  If victim unconcious, move into recovery position and transport position, apply artificial respiration if necessary.

After inhalation exposure: Keep victim at rest and move into fresh air.  If victim has difficulty breathing, provide respiratory support and seek medical attention immediately.

After skin contact: flush area with copious amounts of water ensuring all traces of substance are removed.  Seek medical attention.

After eye contact: Flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes.  In order to facilitate flushing, hold eyelids open.  Avoid contaminating unaffected eye.  Seek medical attention immediately.

After ingestion: Rinse mouth immediately and then drink plenty of water.  Do not induce vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately.

Fire-fighting measures

Suitable extinguishing media: dry soda ash, dry sodium chloride, Dry sand, Dry Powder for class D fires.

Unsuitable extinguishing media for safety reasons: water, dry powder other than for class D fires, carbon dioxide, foam, chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Hazards during fire-fighting: liberation of hydrogen, sodium and potassium hydroxide formation. Contact with water releases highly flammable and/or corrosive gases and vapours. Spontaneously flammable in air.

Protective equipment for fire-fighting: Firefighters should be equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus and full body protection.

Further information: Keep people away and stay on the upwind side. Collect contaminated extinguishing water separately, do not allow to reach sewage or effluent systems. Dispose of fire debris and contaminated extinguishing water in accordance with official regulations. Sealed containers should be protected against heat as this results in pressure build-up.

Accidental release measures

Personal precautions: Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing.  Eliminate sources  of ignition. Wear self-contained breathing apparatus or full face supplied air respirator. Wear suitable personal protective clothing and equipment.

Environmental precautions: Do not empty into drains. Discharge into the environment must be avoided.

Cleanup: Protect from water. Cover with anhydrous sodium carbonate, sodium chloride or dry sand. Pick up in dry form. Place into suitable containers for disposal. Correctly dispose of recovered product immediately.

Further information: Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely flammable gases. Release of substance/product can cause fire or explosion.

Handling and storage

Handling: Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Wear suitable protective clothing and eye/face protection. Protect against moisture. Keep tools dry and clean. Keep away from sources of ignition - No smoking. Handle under dry inert gas. Protect from air. Protection against fire and explosion.  Substance/product is flammable. Sealed containers should be protected against heat as this results in pressure build-up. Use antistatic tools. Containers should be grounded against electrostatic charge.

Storage:  Keep container tightly closed and dry; store in a cool place. Blanket partially filled container with dry nitrogen.

Storage incompatibility: Keep away from water. Segregate from oxidants, acids, alcohols and organic substances.  Specific chemicals to avoid: carbon dioxide, Ethene, tetrafluoro-.

Storage stability: Keep under dry nitrogen. Improper storage may result in pressure build up in the drums.

Transport information

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Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

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Exposure controls / personal protection

Respiratory protection: Wear respiratory protection in case of vapour/aerosol release. Wear a  self-contained breathing apparatus or full face supplied air respirator.

Hand protection: Leather gloves.  Protective glove selection must be based on the user's assessment of the workplace hazards.

Eye protection: Tightly fitting safety goggles (chemical goggles) and face shield.

Body protection: Body protection must be chosen depending on activity and possible exposure, e.g. head protection, apron,

protective boots, chemical-protection suit., Protective clothing should be flame resistant.

General safety and hygiene measures: Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Wear protective clothing as necessary to prevent contact. Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. When using, do not eat, drink or smoke.

Stability and reactivity

Conditions to avoid: Avoid all sources of ignition: heat, sparks, open flame. Avoid contact with air. Avoid humidity. Avoid direct contact with water.

Substances to avoid: carbon dioxide, water, oxidizing agents, reducing agents, peroxides, bases, reactive inorganic halogens and halides, halogenated hydrocarbons, Teflon, metal oxides.

Hazardous reactions: Strong exothermic reaction. May evolve hydrogen gas. Risk of spontaneous ignition when exposed to air.

Decomposition products: Hydrogen, Sodium hydroxide, Potassium hydroxide.

Oxidizing properties: Based on its structural properties the product is not classified as oxidizing.

Disposal considerations

Waste disposal of substance: Observe all local regulations. Do not discharge into drains/surface waters/groundwater.

Empty contaminated containers/packaging must be handled according to applicable regulations for the hazardous properties of the contaminating material.

Container disposal: containers may still contain hazardous residue.