Bituminous Coal

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview: A black-brown solid carbonaceous material with some metallic lustre. Airborne coal dust can be a significant explosion hazard under certain conditions. Solid coal would not be readily ignited in an emergency situation but could act as additional fuel to a fire of other flammable materials. Coal is relatively non-toxic and poses little immediate hazard to the health of emergency response personnel or to the environment in an emergency situation.

Potential health effects

Acute exposure to very dusty conditions may result in mild respiratory irritation and possible eye irritation due to abrasion of the granules on tissues. Chronic exposure to coal dust can cause chronic bronchitis, emphysema, coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and massive pulmonary fibrosis. This coal contains approximately 8.5% silica. Respirable crystalline silica has been identified by various agencies as a carcinogen. (See Toxicological Information, Section 11)

Environmental effects

While the solid form of bituminous coal is unlikely to be ecologically hazardous, upon thermal decomposition it is known to liberate hydrocarbon compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), some of which are considered to be moderately toxic, e.g., pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene, phenanthrene. Most PAHs are relatively insoluble in water; they adhere to solid particles such as river and lake sediments. Microorganisms break down PAHs in soil or water after a period of weeks to months. These PAHs are bioaccumulative, in that their concentrations in plants and animals can be much higher than their concentrations in the soil or water they inhabit. Elevated PAH concentrations can be assumed to be significant toxicants to aquatic and terrestrial organisms. (See Ecological Information, Section 12). EU Risk Phrase(s): Not listed as dangerous in the EU.