Do fire extinguishers pose a health hazard?

[Kari]

Well, last night it seems we had some (likely drunk) people think it would be hilarious to spray the fire extinguisher all over the hallway in my apartment building. Thanks to the GenVibe IM history I know exactly what time it happened since I was talking to someone on here at the time and mentioned the noises I was hearing. I didn't open the door though until this afternoon when I went to get my mail and the hallway was white. They basically sprayed the fire extinguisher all over everything in the hallway. There's powdery looking stuff all over everything -- walls, carpet, doors, steps, handrails, EVERYTHING. It's impossible to avoid tracking it into my apartment, even after I wipe my feet on my rug I still have a little on my shoes.I called the owner and left a message since there was no answer, but I have a question in the meantime: Does this stuff pose a health hazard? I don't want to vacuum it up with my own vacuum because then I'll have it all over my apartment every time I use my vacuum, plus I think it's way too much for my little Dirt Devil anyway. They need to get professional carpet cleaners in here, preferably today.I will be so glad to move to a place where people don't think it's hilarious to do things like this in their wild, drunken, collegiate state of mind...

[Mavrik]

what drunk people find funny... should hit them over the head with the can and see if thats funny huh.Well I say it isn't a health hazard. Afterall they have a practical use and have been breathed in before. I know sometimes people get dosed in the face with those at times and no ill effects.

[Kari]

I'm also wondering if it's a health hazard if it remains in the environment for a while...with the way our maintenance works sometimes it could be here a while...

[ragingfish]

What kind of extinguisher? ABC?

[Kari]

I'm not sure, they took the canister and I didn't see it anywhere outside. (Thank god they didn't spray it on my car or they would be dead meat then if I ever got my hands on them...) The one I have in my kitchen is ABC though.If I remember correctly, right around this time last year someone took that fire extinguisher and took our rugs and put them all outside in the woods behind our building. But last year they didn't spray it everywhere.

[ragingfish]

Found some info on the web, if it's an ABC it looks like you're probably fine.Quote »SYMPTOMS OF OVER-EXPOSURE BY ROUTE OF EXPOSURE: Over-exposure to this product may cause mild skin irritation, moderate eye irritation, and possible gastric distress. The product is not known to cause chronic illness.INHALATION: Inhalation of this product should be avoided, but if it occurs, may cause mild irritation of the nose, throat, and other tissues of the respiratory system.CONTACT WITH SKIN or EYES: Contact of dust from this product with the eyes may cause moderate irritation, reddening of the affected eye, and discomfort.SKIN ABSORPTION: No component of this product is known to absorb through the skin.INGESTION: Ingestion of this product may cause mild gastric distress.INJECTION: While injection of this product is unlikely, it may occur as a result of a puncture or cut with a sharp object contaminated with the extinguishing agent. Mild symptoms, similar to those of skin irritation may occur. HEALTH EFFECTS OR RISKS FROM EXPOSURE: An Explanation in Lay Terms. This product poses low, acute health risks.ACUTE: This extinguishing material presents only a slight risk of causing acute health effects. If such effects occur, they will be in the form of mild irritation of the skin, nose, or throat and moderate irritation of the eyes. If ingested, this product may cause an upset stomach.CHRONIC: This product is not known to cause any chronic illnesses or diseases.

[Kari]

Good...thanks. I had been looking but wasn't turning up much of anything useful. It's good to know that there at least aren't any chronic effects that they know of. That's what had me the most worried.

[ragingfish]

Hopefully it wasn't a CO2 extinguisher:Quote »No action shall be taken involving any personal risk or without suitable training.If fumes are still suspected to be present, the rescuer should wear an appropriate mask or a self-contained breathing apparatus. It may be dangerous to the person providing aid to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. EYE CONTACT: In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical attention immediately. SKIN CONTACT: In case of contact, immediately flush skin with plenty of water. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. Thoroughly clean shoes before reuse. Get medical attention. FROSTBITE: Try to warm up the frozen tissues and seek medical attention. INHALATION: If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention. INGESTION: Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention if symptoms appear.

[Kari]

If it was that, I would think I would have seen bodies in the parking lot last night when I looked out shortly after it happened...LOL. So hopefully it wasn't, but I'm not thinking it was.

[jimincalif]

Most dry chemical fire extinguisher powers are basically baking soda. With white stuff everywhere, sounds like exactly what you're seeing. Shouldn't be a health risk.Good luck, hope they get someone to clean it up ASAP.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by jimincalif »Most dry chemical fire extinguisher powers are basically baking soda.Interesting, I didn't realize that! So next time I'm baking and run outta baking soda, I'll just hit up an extinguisher!

[jimincalif]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »Interesting, I didn't realize that! So next time I'm baking and run outta baking soda, I'll just hit up an extinguisher! I'll leave it to you to try this. Be sure and post back how it works out!

[DopeVibeGT]

From what I've heard, they can cause cancer if exposed to it for a long period of time. Not sure how long, though.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by DopeVibeGT »From what I've heard, they can cause cancer if exposed to it for a long period of time. Not sure how long, though.Is it me, though, or does EVERYTHING seem to cause cancer? I bet even my cup of coffee does!

[DopeVibeGT]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »Is it me, though, or does EVERYTHING seem to cause cancer? I bet even my cup of coffee does! LOL I was thinking the same thing as I typed that.

[redlava]

Dry chemical fire extinguishers spray a mixture of baking soda and monoammonium phosphate with a CO2 propellant. None of which are health hazards unless a lot is consumed or a prolonged exposure. I wouldn't worry about it. Just have the Super vacuum it up and all will be shiny.

[Lancer]

Yeah, exactly what redlava said.Only, wear a dust mask when doing it (If you decide to). I know from experiance that it's really irritating to breathe in. Leaves a dry, slightly salty tast in your mouth. Just don't mess around with the halon extinguishers. They can displace the oxygen in a small space and leave you gasping for air.

[Kari]

Well, so far the stuff is still in the floor, but we have a new extinguisher now so someone has been here. Hopefully they've called the people who can clean the mess up. In the meantime I'm not sure how I'm gonna get my laundry bag down the stairs without getting any of that crap on it...

[ColonelPanic]

In hindsight, earlier in the evening I should have purchased some little baggies and went out in the hallway and swept up the big pile of white powder into said baggies... Then go next door and sell it to those who are too stupid to know better and to drunk to care! We could have benefited monetarily from these shenanagains! lol

[vibebob]

hehehe, reminds me of an old playboy ad for grass. someone was selling bags of grass, it wasn't their fault people took the word "grass" as something else. The ad didn't run very long.