Storing Chemicals the Right Way

A pair of explosions on Aug. 4, 2020, severely damaged Beirut, Lebanon. Felt by cities more than 100 miles away, the blasts shook Beirut to its core. Smoke billowed out of a warehouse in the Beirut port. Along with the reddish haze, cries of confusion and pain filled the air.

The explosions killed more than 150 people and thousands were left homeless from the incident. Much of the city’s infrastructure was destroyed, which had obvious detrimental economic impacts.

The source of the explosions was an approximately 3,000-ton stockpile of ammonium nitrate stored in the warehouse. Ammonium nitrate is a chemical compound often used in fertilizer. The chemical is highly explosive—up to 40 percent as powerful as dynamite.¹

Officials are unsure of the exact cause of the blasts, but investigations immediately commenced to uncover whether it was intentional or accidental. If accidental, preventative measures, such as proper storage, may have been a key factor in averting this tragedy.

Accidents of this nature are a common phenomenon—more common than one may think. On a smaller scale, countless household fires and other incidents from the improper storage of chemicals occur annually.

Whether the chemicals are for your vehicle, boat, pool, lawn, or garden, dealing with various chemicals is a frequent chore of homeownership. The garage is a common location where most people store a variety of chemicals, especially chemicals viewed as dangerous. Numerous risks are associated with this storage space, however, such as storing chemicals too close to items like water heaters or lawn mowers² that could create a spark.

Knowing ahead of time how to safely store chemicals is critical for keeping you and your loved ones safe. Taking precautions could help avoid a call to the fire station or even a trip to the emergency room.

The first measure to note is the importance of labeling. Be aware when purchasing chemicals that those containing the word “Caution†indicate a less toxic alternative to those labeled “Warning†or “Danger.″ Keep the product in its original container if possible, but if you remove the substance, move it to a properly labeled secondary container, which should be unbreakable or double containing, especially for liquids.⁴

This precaution aids in segregating all incompatible chemicals for safer storage. Remember that chemicals should always be stored away from heat and direct sunlight. In addition, they should be placed no higher than eye level and in an uncluttered area to prevent spillage.

The wrong chemicals mixed could release toxic gasses, causing an explosion or harm through inhalation. Inhalation of fumes can cause eye, nose, throat, and respiratory irritation, leading to injury or death.⁵

Ingestion of these substances also poses a threat to small children, pets, and others prone to the accidental ingestion of hazardous materials. Call Poison Control Centers immediately in this situation.

Familiarizing yourself with the proper handling and storing of chemicals can allow the chemicals to serve as a useful tool in home improvement rather than a dangerous threat. Sharing information on chemical safety with your loved ones can help ensure the safe use of chemicals in your household.

¹https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/world/middleeast/beirut-explosion-what­happened.html
²https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/household-items-that-can-ignite-a-fire-if-­put-together/
³https://missouripoisoncenter.org/check-garage-common-hazards/
⁴http://www.ehso.com/ChemicalStorage Guidelines.htm
⁵https://voice.vumc.org/25561-2/