Most people cringe at the thought of chemistry. The Street Chemist brings the world of chemistry
to a level of understanding that even responders without any formal chemistry background can
benefit from the knowledge of the physical and chemical characteristics of hazardous materials and
terrorist agents, without any significant pain!
ROBERT BURKE
Robert Burke is the Fire Marshal for the University of Maryland. He is a Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFSP),
Fire Inspector II, Fire Instructor III, Fire Investigator, and Hazardous Materials Specialist, and has served on state
and county hazardous materials response teams. He is a veteran of twenty-four years in fire and emergency services,
with experience in career and volunteer departments. He has attained the rank of lieutenant, Assistant Chief, and served
as a Deputy State Fire Marshal. He is an adjunct instructor at the National Fire Academy and the Community College of
Baltimore, Catonsville Campus. He is the author of books titled "Hazardous Materials Chemistry For Emergency Responders"
and "Counter-Terrorism for Emergency Responders". Robert can be reached on the Internet at
robert.burke@worldnet.att.net
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• October 2002
Aldehyde Hydrocarbon Derivatives
Aldehydes are the next family of hydrocarbon derivatives. In the aldehyde family, most compounds are liquids, except
for the one-carbon aldehyde, formaldehyde, which is a gas.
• September 2002
Hydrocarbon Derivatives Alcohols
The next flammable liquid hydrocarbon derivative family is alcohol. In addition to being flammable, alcohols have
wide flammable ranges from 1 to 36% in air, and are toxic to some degree.
• August 2002
Hydrocarbon Derivatives Ethers
The next flammable liquid hydrocarbon derivative family is ether. The primary hazard of ether is flammability.
Ethers have low boiling and flash points, wide flammable ranges, low ignition temperatures, and are non-polar.
• July 2002
Hydrocarbon Derivatives Amines
The next hydrocarbon-derivative family we will discuss is the amine. Generally, amines have low boiling
points and flash points, narrow flammable ranges, and high ignition temperatures.
• June 2002
Hydrocarbon Derivatives Nitro Compounds
Nitro compounds are the second of ten hydrocarbon derivative families. Their major hazard is explosive.
Nitrogen and oxygen make up the nitro functional group.
• May 2002
Hydrocarbon Derivative Families Alkyl Halide
There are ten hydrocarbon derivative families, which are important to hazardous materials responders.
Understanding the family characteristics and hazards can assist responders when first on the scene.
• April 2002
• March 2002
• February 2002
• January 2002
Families of Salt Compounds
Elements bond together ionically or covalently to form compounds. Compounds can be organized into families,
which have similar characteristics and hazards.
• December 2001
• November 2001
Periodic Table of Elements
All things on earth are made up of the elements or combinations of elements found on the Periodic Table.
The atom, which was discussed in the previous section, is the smallest form in which an element can exist.
• October 2001
The "Street Chemist"
Most emergency responders cringe at the thought of chemistry. Nonetheless, knowledge of basic chemistry
is necessary to deal effectively with hazardous materials in emergency response.
