Safety evo
Life saving tips
Is fire extinguisher powder toxic ? a good question to ask.
Almost everywhere we can find the dry powder fire extinguishers.
It can be considered the most widely used extinguisher.
It is affordable and we can use it for almost every type of fire.
But there is nothing on this earth has no hazards.
So, we need to be aware about it’s hazards to protect ourselves.
Dry powder chemical composition
This very common fire extinguisher is also called A,B,C dry chemical fire extinguisher
The main components inside it are monoammonium phosphate and ammonium sulphate.
The ratio between these two components differs according to the local standards.
It is approximately used for all types of fire like electrical fire, flammable liquids and ordinary fires.
Dry powder fire extinguisher mechanism of action
This dry chemical powder extinguisher can kill the fire by applying a thin layer of powder on the burning material.
This layer prevents the interaction between the fire and the atmospheric oxygen.
Also, the powder can interfere with the chemical reaction of the fire.
In order to apply this powder on the surface, a pressure is needed to spread the powder.
This is achieved by a pressurized air capsule inside the cylinder that carries the powder out.
These extinguishers need to be designed to keep this pressure for 45 seconds
And can deliver the powder for 10-15 ft.
This is very effective way to extinguish the fire and fits many types.
Is the dry powder toxic
Now let’s answer our question.
is fire extinguisher powder toxic ? and is there any health effects of it ?
To speak in a scientific way, we need to select our source of information properly.
And there is nothing better than the MSDS to get our information from.
This powder is harmful if inhaled or ingested orally.
It can cause irritation to the mucus membranes of the lung and the GIT.
But still can be treated as nuisance dust. this means that it is not an acute toxin.
And if we are talking about the carcinogenicity, there is no evidence that this powder causes cancer.
So, as a conclusion, we have to deal with it using the proper PPE
and avoid accidental exposure to huge amounts especially orally and by inhalation.
Other health effects of dry powder
The most common symptoms are skin irritation and eye irritation.
If someone exposed to this powder and entered his eye, severe irritation may occur.
In this case, as the MSDS says, it is enough to irrigate with fresh water for 15 minutes.
and in case of skin contamination, we need to remove the contaminated clothes,
and wash the skin with water and soap or use a skin cleanser.
Any way, it seems not to dangerous, but care is needed when we deal with these powders.
I hope we answered the main question Is fire extinguisher powder toxic ?
And always be ready for more safety information.
