Wood Ash

If inhaled, remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing. Get medical attention if breathing difficulties do not quickly resolve or if exposure was extensive.

Symptoms: unpleasant obstruction to the nasal passages, nosebleed, chemical irritation, and possible corrosive burns to the membranes of the upper respiratory tract.

If on skin or hair, rinse off using water or otherwise remove immediately (vacuum, gentle brushing), take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Obtain medical attention for signs or symptoms of persisting skin irritation or any skin damage.

Symptoms: irritation and corrosive burns; skin irritation and possibly corrosive type burns. Prolonged direct contact inside boots and gloves can exacerbate skin damage and lead to ulceration.

If in eyes, rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Medical evaluation is recommended if symptoms persist or if exposure was extensive.

Symptoms: irritation and corrosive burns to the eyes; burning and corrosive damage of the eyes.

Rinse mouth and do not induce vomiting.

Symptoms: severe irritation and burning of the mouth and digestive tract.

Use fine water mist or fog spray on smoldering wood ash taking care to avoid stirring and causing increased mixing with and exposure to air. Use sand or other noncombustible solids to smother the fire with care if water application not feasible.

Avoid using a high-pressure stream of water directed at smoldering wood ash.

Depending on the source, amount of residual combustible material and moisture content, airborne suspensions of ash dust may form a combustible dust hazard and be ignited if sufficient concentration and ignition energy is present.

Avoid using a high-pressure stream of water directed at smoldering wood ash. This may cause a flare up. Beware of potential combustible dust explosion hazard.

Wood ash may be vacuumed or shoveled after wetting for recovery or disposal.

Wood ash may be vacuumed or shoveled after wetting for recovery or disposal.

vacuumed or shoveled after wetting

Use proper personal protective equipment (gloves and goggles) when handling. Barrier cream may protect the skin from drying and provide some protection against corrosivity. Use a NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirator ("dust mask") and dust goggles when recommended allowable exposure limits may be exceeded. Care is needed to avoid dust accumulation between the respirator sealing surface and the skin.

Keep bulk and bagged ash dry until used. Stack bagged material in a secure manner to prevent falling. Wood ash should be stored and transported to the extent possible in a covered bin or container.

Barrier cream may protect the skin from drying.

Keep ignition sources away from airborne dust clouds.

LOCAL EXHAUST – Provide local exhaust as needed so that exposure limits are met. Ensure that combustible dust aspect is investigated if enclosed systems including conveyors are used to capture and convey ash dust. MECHANICAL (GENERAL) – Provide general ventilation in processing and storage areas so that exposure limits are met. SPECIAL – Material may clog ventilation systems, requiring ongoing inspection and cleaning. Other Engineering Controls: NAP

Cloth, canvas, or leather gloves are recommended when handling the dry product to minimize potential mechanical irritation. If product becomes wet, neoprene, butyl, or nitrile gloves are recommended. Ensure glove interior is kept clean. Discard gloves with contaminated interiors.

An emergency eye wash fountain should be present near areas of potential eye exposure. Goggles or safety glasses are recommended when handling this product.

Use NIOSH-approved filtering face piece respirator (“dust mask”) or higher level of respiratory protection as indicated and goggles where ventilation is not possible and exposure limits may be exceeded or for additional worker comfort or symptom relief. Following a determination of risk from potential exposures, use respiratory protection in accordance with requirements such as US-OSHA respiratory protection standard 29CFR 1910.134.

Protective clothing with long sleeves or disposable outer garments may be desirable in extremely dusty areas. The use of barrier skin cream may prevent skin irritation in susceptible individuals.

Stable

Depending on concentration and degree of hydration of any Calcium Oxide, heat may be generated from the chemical reaction of CaO and water. Depending on amount and concentration, significant heat buildup may occur when calcium oxide initially reacts with water.

Will not occur

Avoid open flames.

Avoid contact with oxidizing agents and strong acids.

Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

Dry land disposal is acceptable

Do not dispose in areas of high ground water or where surface runoff is adjacent to waterways. It is, however, the user's responsibility to determine at the time of disposal whether the product meets EPA RCRA criteria for hazardous waste.

NAP

NAP