Texas Gov. Bio-Toxin, Bio-Hazard Statement

Texas Gov's Office ^ | 02/01/03 | Texas Gov

[Suck My AR-16]

Partial

According to eyewitness and video accounts, the disintegration of the Space Shuttle Columbia could be seen, heard and felt by Texans all across North-Central and East Texas and western Louisiana.

As we await more information concerning the events of this great tragedy, I want to re-emphasize a note of caution to all living in North and East Texas: if you spot shuttle debris, do not touch it nor go near it. Shuttle materials could pose a grave risk to human health because of toxic propellants used aboard the space shuttle.

If you find debris, please call local authorities immediately to tell them of the location. This information also can be reported through a toll-free number: 1-800-525-5555.

Soon after receiving news of this tragedy, my office began coordinating with federal and local officials. I have spoken to Secretary Ridge twice, and my office remains in constant contact with proper authorities to assist in any way possible.

The Texas Emergency Operations Center is fully operational, and The Texas National Guard is on stand-by. We have deployed one unit of the 6th Civil Support Team to Lufkin to assist with hazardous material recovery.

In addition 22 National Guard soldiers are assisting local authorities in Nacogdoches and 36 soldiers are in Lufkin to help secure sites there. The National Guard has provided a C-130 out of Carswell Reserve Center to provide support to NASA and 2 Blackhawk helicopters have been dispatched from Austin to Lufkin to provide support.

We also activated the Amber Alert Network to warn citizens of the grave risk that could be posed by shuttle debris.

[Suck My AR-16]

How many Texan's live in the DANGER ZONE ?

[mvpel]

 

Safety data for hydrazine hydrate

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General

Synonyms: hydrazine monohydrate, diamide hydrate, aqueous hydrazine, hydrazine hydroxide, hydrazinium hydroxide
Use:
Molecular formula: N₂H₄.H₂O
CAS No: 7803-57-8
EC No:

Physical data

Appearance: colourless fuming liquid
Melting point: -52 C
Boiling point: 120 - 121 C
Vapour density:
Vapour pressure: 5.2 mm Hg at 20 C
Density (g cm^-3): 1.027
Flash point: 74 C (closed cup)
Explosion limits: 3.4 - 100%
Autoignition temperature: 280 C
Water solubility: miscible
 

Stability

Incompatible with a wide variety of materials, including oxidizing agents, heavy metal oxides, dehydrating agents, alkali metals, rust, silver salts. Combustible. Contact with many materials may cause fire or explosive decomposition. May react explosively with a variety of materials, including dehydrating agents, heavy metal oxides, perchlorates. Contact with cadmium, gold, brass, molybdenum and stainless steel containing > 0.5% molybdenum may cause rapid decomposition. Vapour may explode in fire. Note wide explosive limits - flammable from 4 to 100% hydrazine in air. Read safety data sheet fully before use.

Toxicology

Toxic, and may be fatal, if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin. Expected to be a human carcinogen. Eye contact may cause serious damage. May cause CNS, eye, liver, kidney and lung damage. Possible sensitizer. Corrosive. Material is very irritating to respiratory tract, even a low concentrations. Typical OEL 0.02 ppm (8h TWA)

Toxicity data
(The meaning of any abbreviations which appear in this section is given here.)
ORL-RAT LD50 129 mg kg^-1
ORL-MUS LD50 83 mg kg^-1
SKN-RBT LDLO 20 mg kg^-1
IHL-RAT LC50 0.75 mg/l/4h
ORL-GPG LD50 40 mg kg^-1

Risk phrases
(The meaning of any risk phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
R23 R24 R25 R34 R43 R45 R50 R53.

Transport information

IATA packing group 2. IATA sub-risk 61. Adr No 8/44B. UN No 2030. IATA class 8. Transport category 2. Not permitted on passenger flights.

Personal protection

Safety glasses, gloves, good ventilation. Treat as a possible carcinogen. Remove all sources of ignition from the working area. Prepare a risk assessment before starting work.

Safety phrases
(The meaning of any safety phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
S45 S53 S60 S61.

[Return to Physical & Theoretical Chemistry Lab. Safety home page.]

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This information was last updated on January 14, 2002. We have tried to make it as accurate and useful as possible, but can take no responsibility for its use, misuse, or accuracy. We have not verified this information, and cannot guarantee that it is up-to-date.

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[BlazingArizona]

Something tells me the whole "toxic propellant" story is a red herring. What they're really trying to do is not have civilians handle and contaminate any debris they find.

[IncPen]

Something tells me the whole "toxic propellant" story is a red herring. What they're really trying to do is not have civilians handle and contaminate any debris they find.

You may be right.

But if you're wrong, that ain't the kind of stuff you want to be wrong about.

[chemicalman]

Might be minute quantities or residue, but most may have burned up on re-entry.

[chemicalman]

Might be minute quantities or residue, but most may have burned up on re-entry.

[mvpel]

Doesn't take much - note the occupational exposure limit of 0.02 parts per million. That's the equivalent of a bit over three tablespoons in an olympic-size swimming pool.

[mvpel]

Apparently some folks suffered burns when they attempted to handle the debris. Not sure if it was chemical or because the stuff was still hot.

[Squantos]

No they are correct, excuse my spelling but the "UNSYMMETRICAL DIMETHYL HYDRAZINE (FUEL) AND NITROGEN TETROXIDE (OXIDIZER)" fuels are not unlike that used on the old Titan missles stationed around the Wichita KS, Tucson AZ and Little Rock AR areas. The oxidizer will screw you up bad....trust me on this. Contact burn is only a minor hazard, Whole lot of USAF Missle troops got bit by this stuff well after they thought it was safe to handle.

Dangerous stuff , no BS.....DO NOT TOUCH and stay away. PLEASE ! Dig up your old shuttle landing videos and watch the crews is chemox suits inspect the shuttle before the hatch is opened......that is the reason IMO and experience.

Stay Safe !

[tallhappy]

Something tells me the whole "toxic propellant" story is a red herring.

Something tells me you're an idiot.

[HiTech RedNeck]

What kind of heat would it take to burn these up? That stuff was glowing.

[tubebender]

When I read the headline I thought maybe some lab experiment of bio-hazards done in space being released.

[Squantos]

I'll only repeat what I've experienced .... the oxidizer forms a dust, rust like dust that I believe won't go away..... even if extreams of heat are experienced. I remember the render safe /decon was simply a mineral oil sprayed on to stop the oxidation. After that it simply was a bag and tag to the best of my memory.

I was part of two accidents involving the Titans. Rock Kansas and Damamcus (Searcy) Arkansas where such a hazard existed. The Searcy accident resulted in a detonation of the fuels tossing the W53 warhead a few hundred yards from the silo.

After the Rock Incident I remember a Security Policeman that just sat on the tail gate of a pickup truck and was burned badly by a fine film of the dust/residue.

Nasty crap....will screw up yer life.

Stay Safe !

[HiTech RedNeck]

Why don't we go back to splashdowns? This kind of material has no business zooming down near population centers.

[Squantos]

Agree......but that decision is above my paygrade........Stay Safe !

[exhaustedmomma]

Might be minute quantities or residue...

As a ChemicalMan, the first and foremost aspect of dealing with any chemicals (or potential of exposure to chemicals) regardless of what they are is to handle them safely. The excerpt from the material safety data sheet shows the need for risk assessment even with minute quantities or residue. That assessment must be done by qualified people (i.e., chemical people.) SAFETY FIRST, debates later!

Which is why in the MSD you have this:
Personal protection
Safety glasses, gloves, good ventilation. Treat as a possible carcinogen. Remove all sources of ignition from the working area. Prepare a risk assessment before starting work.

[chemicalman]

I didn't say to go play with the stuff. </sarcasm>

[Walkingfeather]

I would have believed that also but.... Let me share a story with you. I am on a search and rescue team in Southern California. A few years back one of the militarys Classified birds crashed on Catalina. LA county fire responded. ( which I am not a part of) Two paramedics reached the burning wreckage. All I can say is both died within a year and a half of some strange cancer. It is now our policy that we can not approach a downed military air craft. EVEN IF THE PILOT NEEDS ASSISTANCE. ( which I can not see us not helping) But that is the policy.
It was one of the first things I thought of today. I also remember that picture from bosnia where our f117 was shot down and all those civilians were standing around this burning wreckage. I thought well those folks are dead and they don't even know it.

[exhaustedmomma]

Oh, I am sorry! I thought the point of the article was to make sure folks understood the seriousness of not handling the stuff. </sarcasm>