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Incompatible

Definition

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Incompatible chemicals give an undesired chemical reaction when mixed. This usually refers to substances that will react to cause an imminent threat to health and safety through an explosion, fire, and/or formation of toxic materials.

The term can also refer to an unwanted change in the physical or mechanical properties of the materials.

Additional Info

Even everyday chemicals have incompatibilities. For example, did you ever notice that containers of bleach have a warning not to mix bleach and ammonia? When mixed, these substances generate the toxic gases chloramine (NH2Cl) and hydrazine (N2H4), which could cause serious injuries or death!

Other examples of incompatibilities include the reaction of alkali metals such as sodium or potassium metal with water. In this case, the products are extremely basic sodium or potassium hydroxide (corrosive), hydrogen gas (explosive) and a lot of heat (an exothermic reaction). The heat generated is so great that the hydrogen generated will usually ignite! See our entry on water reactive chemicals for information on the proper storage of these materials.

Improper storage and disposal of incompatible chemicals has led to a number of accidents. Always properly identify and segregate your chemicals and wastes to avoid the accidental mixing of incompatibles. For example, do not store acids and bases in the same cabinet. Do not store acid waste and organic waste in the same area. See the links under Further Reading for more tips and information.

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SDS Relevance

Fortunately, chemical incompatibility is one of the items that OSHA requires on a Safety Data Sheet. You will find incompatibility and safe storage/handling information in Section 7 of the sheet (handling and storage). Read your SDS carefully and make sure the labels on the container include warnings about incompatibilities. If the label lacks such warnings, why not add them?

Most mistakes with chemicals happen not when they are being used properly, but when a process or reaction is being cleaned up. This is when most people tend to let their guards down and when a variety of different kinds of chemical substances can be mixed. If some of these are incompatible, look out! Here's one example of what can happen in these kinds of situations. Note the lessons learned and safety tips that accompany this article.

Further Reading

polyethylene corrosive storage cabinet

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See also: decomposition, water reactive.

Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.



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