Key Points

Fire

• Slightly combustible
• Reacts violently with strong oxidants, amines and light metals causing fire and explosion hazard. It can also attack some rubber, plastics and coatings
• Emits toxic fumes of hydrogen chloride when heated to decomposition
• In the event of a fire involving benzyl trichloride, use fine water spray and liquid tight chemical protective clothing with breathing apparatus

Health

• Toxic via inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact
• CHIP: Carcinogen, toxic, harmful and irritant
• Inhalation causes irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and mucous membranes. In severe cases pulmonary oedema or lung injury may develop
• Ingestion causes irritation or burns, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramping or pain
• Dermal exposure irritation and burns
• Ocular exposure to vapour causes irritation. Direct contact with the liquid may cause severe burns

Environment

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

All sections are available to download in PDF format.

• Incident Management (PDF, 75 KB)
  Benzyl trichloride - Incident Management
  Added/updated: 24 May 2011