Key Points

Fire

• Flammable and moderately explosive when exposed to heat or flame
• Reacts vigorously with strong oxidants. Attacks many metals in the presence of water
• Emits toxic fumes of chlorides, including hydrogen chloride when heated to decomposition. Will react with water or steam to produce corrosive and toxic fumes
• In the event of a fire involving benzyl chloride, use fine water spray and liquid tight chemical protective clothing with breathing apparatus

Health   

• Toxic by ingestion. Irritating to eyes, mucous membranes and respiratory tract
• CHIP: Carcinogenic, toxic, harmful and irritant
• Inhalation causes irritation of eyes and nose with sore throat, cough, chest tightness, headache, ataxia and confusion. Pulmonary oedema may take up to 36h to develop 
• Ingestion causes immediate burning of the mouth and throat, drooling, difficulty swallowing with retrosternal and abdominal pain. The larynx may also be burned causing oedema, airway obstruction and difficulty clearing bronchial secretions.
• Dermal exposure causes coagulation burns
• Ocular exposure causes pain, blepharospasm, lacrimation, conjunctivitis, palpebral oedema and photophobia.

Environment

• Avoid release into the environment
• Inform Environment Agency of substantial incidents

 

All sections are available to download in PDF format.

• Incident Management (PDF, 86 KB)
  Benzyl Chloride - Incident Management
  Added/updated: 24 May 2011