Hazards Associated With Halon Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers help reduce the size of fires, usually so others can escape. However, there are circumstances where the fire must be put out, such as during an engine fire on an airplane. One type of fire extinguishers designed with airplanes in mind is the Halon fire extinguisher. Halon fire extinguishers are ideal for putting out engine fires on airplanes because they won't stop the engine. However, they contain harmful chemicals and people should take extra precautions when using them.

Safety

• The Halon fire extinguishers use several harmful elements, including bromine, iodine, chlorine and fluoride. Given the toxicity of the Halon gases, people should be extra careful when using it in a confined space. A person using the fire extinguishers should put on a smoke hood before spraying it. The smoke hood is a protective piece of headwear that filters gases. Some smoke hoods also have a small oxygen generator.

Bromine

• Bromine is hazardous in high concentrations when inhaled, or when the gas touches the skin. It can cause major burns. Areas exposed to too much bromine need ventilation. Bromine does not occur naturally, but is found in salt forms.

Iodine

• Iodine gas has an unpleasant odor. It is a chemical that the human body commonly takes into the body through food, water and air. The iodine vapor can irritate the eyes and lungs in high quantities. Some forms of iodine can release ionizing radiation, which can cause a thyroid tumor.

Chlorine

• Chlorine in gas form is so dangerous that soldiers used it as a form of chemical warfare in World War I. Those exposed to chlorine gas usually die. Those who survive experience congestion, ammonia, pulmonary edema and bronchitis. Chlorine is a severe irritant. Tests carried out on animals found that those exposed to almost lethal levels of chlorine from 15 to 193 days experienced emphysema, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Fluorine

• In gas form, fluorine is the strongest known oxidizer. This gas can penetrate deep into bodily tissues and can cause damage to the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Even brief exposure of 50 ppm of fluorine gas can cause intolerable respiratory reactions, according to Princeton University. Very high concentrations can easily be fatal.

Overall Hazards

• Halon fire extinguishers rapidly lower temperatures and can cause freeze burns when they contact skin. Freeze burns mostly occur when skin receive sustained exposure to fire extinguisher gases. Halon fire extinguishers can also reduce the oxygen levels in the room, which can lead to suffocation.