Chemistry of Hazardous Materials

by Meyer, Eugene

• ISBN13: 9780131127609
• ISBN10: 0131127608
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

This revised fourth edition has been thoroughly updated to fully address the specific needs of firefighters and other professionals who deal with hazardous materials. This volume encompasses the key aspects of safely handling hazardous materials and the response actions to be implemented during terrorist actions, hazardous transportation mishaps and other disasters. This volume examines some features of matter and energy, flammable gases and flammable liquids, chemical forms of matter, as well as the principles of chemical reactions, aspects of the dot hazardous materials regulations, the chemistry of common elements, corrosive materials, water-reactive substances, toxic substances, oxidizers, hazardous organic compounds, polymeric materials, explosive materials and radioactive materials. For emergency responders, firefighters and others potentially involved with hazardous materials.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Some Features of Matter and Energy

Flammable Gases and Flammable Liquids

Chemical Forms of Matter

Principles of Chemical Reactions

Aspects of the DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations

Chemistry of Some Common Elements

Chemistry of Some Corrosive Materials

Chemistry of Some Water-Reactive Substances

Chemistry of Some Toxic Substances

Chemistry of Some Oxidizers

Chemistry of Some Hazardous Organic Compounds

Chemistry of Some Polymeric Materials

Chemistry of Some Explosive Materials

Radioactive Materials

Glossary

Index

Hazardous Materials

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Unforeseen events occurred in the world since the publication of the third edition ofChemistry of Hazardous Materials.They include the intentional use by terrorists of hazardous materials capable of killing or severely harming large segments of the civilized population. These traumatic incidents have caused emergency responders to address special ways of effectively reducing the impact of a terrorist act. For this reason, in this fourth edition, I introduce the hazardous materials likely to be encountered when terrorists use destructive materials. I identify these materials and the properties that cause them to be hazardous and suggest ways of effectively responding when they are encountered. I also exercise a certain degree of care when discussing them. For obvious reasons, I intentionally avoid reporting on the manners by which they can be produced. As in earlier editions of this book, I continue to emphasize the hazardous materials regulations promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency. In this edition, I have updated the regulations to reflect changes that have occurred since publication of the third edition. I have worked to make this fourth edition more comprehensive and easier for nonscientists to learn and understand. To do so, I crafted performance goals so students are apprised up front of what they should learn in each section. I have also listed the names of chemical substances undereachformula ineveryequation so students can more readily comprehend the relevant chemical change. I also constructed new Solved Exercises and Review Exercises, and I expanded the glossary to include the definitions of new technical terms and phrases in use by emergency responders. During the preparation of this book, I have considered the advice of several individuals. For the combination of their comments, I am extremely grateful. Sincerest thanks are due to the following individuals who, despite their heavy responsibilities and workloads, found the time to provide careful reviews and critiques of the entire manuscript or selected chapters thereof: John M. Eversole, Chicago Fire Department (retired), Chicago, Illinois; Gerald LaFlamme, Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester, Massachusetts, and Chief, Shrewsbury Fire Department, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts; Jeffrey T. Lindsey, Estero Fire Rescue, Estero, Florida; Chris Hawley, Baltimore County Fire Department, Baltimore, Maryland; Gary Kistner, San Antonio College, San Antonio, Texas; James F Ross, Mercer County Community College, Trenton, New Jersey; and Donald L. Walsh, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago, Illinois. Special thanks are also due to Ms. Katrin Beacom, Senior Editor, and Ms. Kierra Kashickey, Editorial Assistant, Prentice Hall/Brady, for their assistance and input during preparation of the manuscript. A big thank you to the copy editor, Ms. Kristin Landon, and the project manager, Ms. Penny Walker, whose tireless efforts converted the manuscript into this book. Finally, as with the preceding editions, I extend an extra special thank you to my wife, Phyllis, for her critical review of the manuscript and her support throughout the hours needed to complete this project. Her constant love, never-ending encouragement, and patience have always influenced my writing. To her, I dedicate this fourth edition. Eugene Meyer