In laboratories, there are many ingredients of dangerous chemicals, starts from corrosive, poisonous, easy to burn, easy to explode chemicals and there are much impact of dangerous chemicals. In this article, we would like to discuss the impact of easy to explode or explosive chemicals which is described in this picture.
Easy to explode chemicals are reactive chemicals in the form of gas, solid or liquid which is very sensitive if getting contacted through bump, pressure, friction or heat energy which can produce big pressure and high temperature which causes destruction in environment as a cause of explosion.
Explosive chemicals can be divided into two, as follows :
1. Based on the composition, it is divided into two :
- Pure explosive ingredient
- Mixed detonator
2. Based on its sensitivity, it is divided into two :
- Initiating Explosive
- Non-initiating Explosive
The examples of Explosive Chemicals
Here are the explosive chemicals examples in daily life:
1. Amatol
Amatol is a chemical that is classified as a powerful explosive (High Explosive) that has fuction as a destroyer so it can be used for military purposes, mining purposes and so on. Amatol is formed from a mixture of TNT and Ammonium Nitrate. This blast of explosives is often used during World War I and World War II to make bombs, bullets, and many more. Also read about Chemicals Used in Vietnam War
2. Azidoazide Azide
Azidoazide azide (C2N14) is a novel chemical, since it was made in 2010 by the American military and German scientists. Azidoazide azide is the most reactive and explosive compound that is ever made by humans, because in its sequence there are many unstable nitrogen atoms, so that when nitrogen atoms want to form a stable state, they will release a large amount of energy and causing an explosion. Even without a trigger azidoazide azide can explode by itself. Also read about Safe Chemicals for Colored Flames
3. Chlorine Trifluoride
Chlorine Trifluoride (ClF3) compounds with a very reactive, explosive yellowish-green color with organic and inorganic materials, even chlorine trifluoride can cause fires in burning residues, such as ash and charcoal already used, or water. This can happen because chlorine trifluoride is a stronger oxidizer than oxygen. Chlorine Trifluoride is used as a mixture on rocket fuel and other military purposes.
4. TNT (Trinitrotoluena)
TNT (Trinitrotoluena) is a chemical compound made by a German chemist named Julius Wilbrand. TNT (Trinitrotoluena) is a compound that is less sensitive to friction, impact and shock, thus minimizing TNT’s explosion due to accidental factors. However TNT is the most commonly used compound for the manufacture of bombs, grenades and other explosives during World War I. TNT is derived from toluene compounds nitrated with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) with nitric acid (HNO3). Also read about Chemicals Used in Nuclear Weapons
5. Ammonium Nitrate
As we have seen above that ammonium nitrate is azidoazide azide-forming compound. However, ammonium nitrate not only serves as a basic azidoazide azide, but also serves as a fuel. Ammonium nitrate itself is a very explosive compound. Also read about Most Dangerous Chemicals in The World
6. Nitroglycerin
Nitroglycerin is a chemical compound that has many other names such as trinitoglycerin or glyceryl trinitrate. This colorless compound is easy to explode, therefore trinitoglycerin is generally used in the manufacture of dynamite. Nitroglycerin is not only useful in military, demolition and construction, but nitroglycerin also plays a role in medical / medicine. Nitroglycerin serves as a vasodilator or a cure for the heart, such as angina pectoris (sitting wind).
7. Nitrocellulose
Nitrocellulose (C6H7N3O11) is a chemical compound derived from cotton and explosive (flammable) because nitrocellulose contains a sensitive nitrogen element. According to research, Nitrogen atoms are the most dangerous atoms, because they can cause death if inhaled and can explode when not in stable condition.
8. Ammonal
Ammonal has the same utility as amatol, that is as explosive, for military field, demolish etc. Ammonal also has a similar material to amatol, which is ammonium nitrate, but in ammonium ammonium nitrate is reacted with aluminum powder.
9. Ednatol
The compound is a mixture of TNT (Trinitrotoluene) and ethylenedinitramine. These compounds were developed and used in the US military and these explosives were quite popular during World War II for rocket-making, grenades, etc. Also read about Fireworks Elements
10. Gunpowder
Gunpowder is an explosive material made from a mixture of charcoal, sulfur and potassium nitrate. Classified as weak explosive (low explosive) gunpowder / black powder is often used in the manufacture of firecrackers or fireworks, or as an ingredient in firearms. That’s the list of explosive chemicals examples.
How to Store Explosive Chemicals
- Keep explosive chemicals in place at a distance of at least 10 km from buildings, tunnels, bridges, housing, caves, etc. in order to minimize the effects of explosions and environmental pollution as small as possible so that there are no victims and disadvantaged parties.
- The storage house must be sturdy, fireproof and hot and remain locked when not in use, to avoid material thrown from the explosion.
- Storage building must have good air circulation, because any chemicals either explosive, flammable, or corrosive inevitably produce gas which, if inhaled continuously will cause harmful effects to the body.
- Store explosive chemicals in cool areas, controlled temperature controls and indoor pressure, away from sources of fire, water, oxygen, and away from other chemicals that can cause reactions
Prevention of Occupational Accidents
Every time we make an action or decision there will be consequences, even so working with chemical compounds. When we work with chemical compounds both long-term and short-term there must be harmful effects, both small and large effects. Therefore, when we want to enter the laboratory it would be nice if we know the prevention and handling of occupational accidents to avoid things that are not desirable. Here are some precautions to take:
1. Tie your hair
If we have long hair, tie our hair to avoid interrupting the scene at work, and can prevent us from the dangers of burning hair, the spillage of chemical solutions because knocking over by hair, hair dye or hair dipped into chemical solutions.
2. Use the right clothes
When working in laboratory do not forget to use:
- Gloves
- Long-sleeved laboratory coat
- Shoes that cover the entire foot
- Safety glasses
3. Do not eat or drink while working in the laboratory
Eating or drinking when we are working with chemical compounds will be dangerous, because our food will be contaminated by gas or splashes of chemical solutions, which of course can be harmful to our bodies, or silly accidents, our drinks may be confused with chemical solutions. So do not eat or drink while working in the laboratory, so we can focus more while working.
4. Read and observe the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) before working in the laboratory
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is data showing the characteristics of a liquid, whether the liquid that we will use are flammable, corrosive, toxic or easy to react with another compounds and much more. Not only that, MSDS also provide information on how to handle if we are exposed by the compound with a long duration or when our body is accidentally exposed to the liquid.
5. Do not throwing out the liquid of the work result carelessly
When we had already done working in laboratory, there must be product as the result, and generally that product will be thrown out. But in throwing out chemical product we have to be careful, because if we directly throw it out in wastafel, it will harm the environment. So before we throw it out it is suggested that if we do dilution on that chemical compound.
That’s all the explanation of explosive chemicals examples. Hope it is useful and always be careful about any chemical ingredients.