Hazards of using dry powder extinguisher?

[Merlot]

Hi everyone,

Some of our staff recently completed a fire marshall and fire extinguisher course and the feedback I am getting from the attendees is concerning.

They are saying that dry powder extinguishers cause cancer!

Now I wasn't in the training myself so I couldn't challenge the trainer but I have heard the same thing from a few of the attendees and they are now reluctant to use powder extinguishers!

I have looked at SDS, googled and searched but cant find any definitive answers. The closest I can get is references to a talcum powder manufacturer being sued for a user developing cancer. Also some of the SDS mention free silica.

I will be contacting the training provider to see what their take is on the matter but thought I would canvas opinions on the assembled experts on here.

Thanks in advance.

Matt.

[Waterbaby]

Hi everyone,

Some of our staff recently completed a fire marshall and fire extinguisher course and the feedback I am getting from the attendees is concerning.

They are saying that dry powder extinguishers cause cancer!

Matt.

I have not heard this in any training and a 20 min internet search only has one specific US reference, no date indicated -
https://www.nedt.org/_d/Fire-Extiguishers.pdf

https://echa.europa.eu/substance-inform ... 00.000.239

MSDS usually indicate issues such as skin exposure / respiratory irritant / accidental ingestion (although this deliberate ingestion is tragic - Acta Med Iran.2017 May; 55(5):348-351. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28724277)

I cannot find any references in the medical literature of documented cases.

to Messy and hammer1

WB

[Messy]

I have not heard of any carcinogenic link to dry powder extinguishers.

I wonder if there is some kind of misunderstanding based on the risk of cancer from talcum powder? (older talcum power contained asbestos)

DP looks very similar and I have to admit describing dry powder as looking and acting like talcum power when describing the issues of visibility when using this type of extinguisher. Upon reflection, I can imagine that my description could be misinterpreted and I am sure I am not the only person to note the similarities between the two substances.

I have also asked my friend Mr Google and can't find any mention.

I would most certainly challenge the trainer and ask him/her for evidence to support their view. It would be useful if you could post their reply here

[Merlot]

Hi,

thanks WB and Messy for your replies.

That certainly confirms my own knowledge and the research I have done.

As you say, the closest I can get is a well known talcum powder manufacturer being sued for apparently causing cancer in a woman who had applied it to her skin every day for many many years.

I have emailed the training company to seek answers but havent heard anything back yet. When I do I will post up their reply.

Thanks again.

Matt.

[witsd]

I'm aware that some of the chemicals used in foam extinguishers are known carcinogens, but I've not heard that in relation to dry powder appliances.

I suspect that root cause of this might simply be the sheer number of different powders that have been used over the years, particularly if you mix in the class D powders as well, but the only links I could find in a ten minute search were that dry powders stop the production of free-radicals (which cause cancer) and that sodium bicarbonate has been touted as a cancer cure (to be clear, it certainly is no such thing).

[Merlot]

Hi,

I have received a response back from the training company. I haven't asked for permission to publish the response so I will paraphrase:

It basically make apologies for a misunderstanding, the trainer had been discussing dry powder extinguishers and their respiratory effects with a safety manager at a clients premises. The trainer then made an incorrect link to cancer. They have correctly pointed out that dry powders are no longer recommended for interior use.

So, case closed. Now need to provide the right information to all the delegates that were on the original training to put their minds at rest.

Thanks all.

Matt.

[Messy]

Competent?? - Just saying

Thanks for providing the feedback

[Stevie Johnno]

A decent Instructor/Trainer knows that one wrongly phrased comment can Snowball, if in doubt say now't or use the stock answer if questioned..."I'll get back to you on that" (translates to "I don't know but I'll Google it" )

[bernicarey]

They have correctly pointed out that dry powders are no longer recommended for interior use.

I wonder how that is going down in the USA.... given their love of ABC Powder for everything.
I once had a US Fire Chief (about 9 yrs ago) question why I wanted CO2 Extinguishers and not Halon!
I doubt they have changed their attitudes much, even now.

[Messy]

I once had a US Fire Chief (about 9 yrs ago) question why I wanted CO2 Extinguishers and not Halon!
I doubt they have changed their attitudes much, even now.

Let's be fair, the US are not exactly renown for their environmentally friendly agenda are they?? They seem to opt out of most worldwide agreements, and as for the amount of hot air emanating from their president at the moment isn't going to help (and his enthusiasm for picking fights with mad world leaders with a nuclear option).

[grim72]

An interesting read while we're on the topic of US fire extinguishers https://www.maritime-executive.com/arti ... inguishers

[bernicarey]

For those in a maritime environment it might be interesting to know the ownership of the vessel, since it was so poorly maintained.
Pity it's not mentioned.
I found the USCG original alert and it's word-for-word the same as the internet article.
http://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%2 ... s/1317.pdf