Halogen Spills - Prevention And Containment

Halogens are highly reactive chemicals by nature and also have many uses today. Because they are so reactive, they can combine quickly with another element to form an acid or an explosive mixture. For instance, combining chlorine and ordinary table salt can create a violent explosion that includes clouds of choking and lethal poisonous gas. Leaks of fluorine and chlorine gases are extremely dangerous while their liquid form gives off toxic, corrosive vapors. The five halogens are:

• Chlorine
• Bromine
• Fluorine
• Iodine
• Astatine

Any kind of halogen leak or spill presents a danger of explosion and all employees must know how to quickly control it, neutralize it, and clean up the area.
Training is essential in:

• Recognizing a spill.
• The location of Halogen Spill Kits.
• Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• How to use a Halogen Spill Kit and neutralize a spill quickly.
• Knowing the difference between a spill that can be handled by employees on-site and one which requires Emergency Response Personnel.
• How to use a fire extinguisher.
• Emergency First Aid.

Handling A Halogen Spill

• Notify trained personnel, such as the company’s HAZ MAT team or the Fire Department.
• Only trained personnel wearing PPE should be allowed in the area, otherwise everyone has to be evacuated.
• Everyone handling the spill must use a respirator and wear PPE.
• Block off the area to keep people away from possible toxic vapors.
• If gas has leaked, stop the flow.
• Repair the leak.
• Transfer the cylinder to a safe place outside if the source is a leaking cylinder and the gas release can’t be stopped. Allow cylinder to empty.
• Do not transfer the cylinder to an area that will increase the likelihood of explosion.
• Confine a liquid spill with socks, dikes, or pillows.
• Use a drain blocker or dike to keep the spill out of storm and floor drains.
• Apply a neutralizer such as Halex generously to the spill.
• To reduce the hazardous vapors from the spill, an atomized Halex neutralizer can be used.
• Halex can be sprayed into hard-to reach and vertical areas that may have been contaminated.
• Halex can be used on permeable surfaces which may have been soaked by the halogen.
• Once the toxic halogen has been neutralized, it becomes an inorganic salt which should be cleaned up with a whisk broom and dustpan.
• Put the neutralized material into the disposal bag and label it.
• Neutralized substances should be disposed of accorfing to local, state and federal regulations. It may be possible to dispose of it in a landfill.

Halex is a strong, concentrated solution, which can neutralize the halogen and convert the element to a safe, inorganic salt. It is in Halogen Spill Kits, which are available from Spill 911, an industrial supply company, www.spill911.com.