Is the stuff inside the fire extinguisher dangerous to breathe in?

Question

I used an ABC fire extinguisher yesterday and am coughing really bad today. Could be a coincidence.

Answer 1

ABC multipurpose dry chemical is typciallaly monoamonium phosphate. An irrirant to say the least. All the M.S.D.S. information says in case of accidental inhalation: remove to fresh air, if irritation persists, seek medical attention.

If you felt better afterwards, but now are coughing, you are right in that it COULD be a coincidence. Why not check with your doctor's office and see what they think.

Here's the MSDS on the stuff...

http://www.wfrfire.com/website/msds/abc.htm

If it makes you feel any better, I work at a facility that recharges the stuff and have breathed in the stuff too many times to count. I hate the smell, and yes, it makes you cough. But I haven't had any major problems afterwards. (I laugh as I say that, watch me die of lung cancer in 10 years.)

Good luck. Check out any persistant cough with your doctor.

Answer 2

The multipurpose Dry Chemical Extinguisher for a Type A,B,C fire is what you will find in most university laboratories that contain chemicals. These extinguishers have the most range of compatibility with items found in a lab and are good for most types of fires. A Type BC fire extinguishers contain sodium or potassium bicarbonate and a Type ABC fire extinguishers contain ammonium phosphate. They have an advantage over CO2 extinguishers in that they leave a blanket of non-flammable material on the extinguished material which reduces the likelihood of re ignition. However, they make quite a mess and the fine powder will irritate the throat and lungs.

This is a pretty good link.
http://safety.eas.ualberta.ca/fire/fireextinguisher.cfm

Hope it helps

Answer 3

There are basically four different types or classes of fire extinguishers, each of which extinguishes specific types of fire Class A, B, C & D) Here are some typical extinguishers and their uses: Water extinguishers (not pictured and not found in laboratories) are suitable for class A (paper, wood etc.) fires, but not for class B, C and D fires such as burning liquids, electrical fires or reactive metal fires. In these cases, the flames will be spread or the hazard made greater! Water mist extinguishers are suitable for class A and C; see below. Dry chemical extinguishers are useful for either class ABC or class BC fires (check the label) and are your best all around choice for common fire situations. They have an advantage over CO2 and "clean agent" extinguishers in that they leave a blanket of non-flammable material on the extinguished material which reduces the likelihood of reignition. They also make a terrible mess - but if the choice is a fire or a mess, take the mess! Note that there are two kinds of dry chemical extinguishers: Type BC fire extinguishers contain sodium or potassium bicarbonate. Type ABC fire extinguishers contain ammonium phosphate. CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers are for class B and C fires. They don't work very well on class A fires because the material usually reignites. CO2 extinguishers have an advantage over dry chemical in that they leave behind no harmful residue. That makes carbon dioxide (or Halotron I or FE-36; see below) a good choice for an electrical fire involving a computer or other delicate instrument. Note that CO2 is a bad choice for a flammable metal fires such as Grignard reagents, alkyllithiums and sodium metal because CO2 reacts with these materials. CO2 extinguishers are not approved for class D fires! Metal/Sand Extinguishers are for flammable metals (class D fires) and work by simply smothering the fire. The most common extinguishing agent in this class is sodium chloride, but there are a variety of other options. You should have an approved class D unit if you are working with flammable metals. The following types of class D extinguishing units are available through our on-line store, Safety Emporium. Sodium chloride (NaCl) works well for metal fires involving magnesium, sodium (spills and in depth), potassium, sodium/potassium alloys, uranium and powdered aluminum. Heat from the fire causes the agent to cake and form a crust that excludes air and dissipates heat. Powdered copper metal (Cu metal) is preferred for fires involving lithium and lithium alloys. Developed in conjunction with the U.S. Navy, it is the only known lithium fire fighting agent which will cling to a vertical surface thus making it the preferred agent on three dimensional and flowing fires. Graphite-based powders are also designed for use on lithium fires. This agent can also be effective on fires involving high-melting metals such as zirconium and titanium. Specially-designed sodium bicarbonate-based dry agents can suppress fires with most metal alkyls, pyrophoric liquids which ignite on catact with air, such as triethylaluminum, but do not rely on a standard BC extinguisher for this purpose. Sodium carbonate-based dry powders can be used with most Class D fires involving sodium, potassium or sodium/potassium alloys. This agent is recommended where stress corrosion of stainless steel mus be kept to an absolute minimum.

Answer 4

Yes it is,,,,, I don't know if it will kill you. I guess "too" much of anything will kill you. I had one of my Custodians cleaning up after someone discharged one. His nose was bleeding for two days. Not a good thing. If you don't improve in a few days, I'd see
a doctor.

Answer 5

all extinguishers have differant chemicals in them....and yes that means it can upset your lungs...