Potential Hazards

Pipelines are the safest mode of transportation. Despite this, pipeline releases can create hazards for both communities and responders. A pipeline release can result in:

Fire or explosion
Vapor cloud
Toxic or combustible fumes
Asphyxiation
Contamination of the environment

Pipelines can carry many different types of products ranging from gaseous material to thick crude oil. Some of the more common products being transported by pipelines are highlighted below with information on the product's characteristics and hazards. Operators keep MSDS information for each product they transport. This information is available from the operator upon request.

Product & Description	Characteristics	Hazard
Natural Gas Colorless, odorless gas used as a fuel source. Odorized when being transported to an end user.	Vapors are lighter than air Dissipates rapidly into air Odorless, tasteless, and colorless May contain H2S	Natural gas is flammable and can ignite when it comes into contact with an ignition source. In confined spaces exposure can cause asphyxiation. Natural gas can contain hydrogen sulfide, which is toxic.
Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) & Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) NGLs include a range of hydrocarbon elements including butane, iso-butane, propane, ethane, and natural gas condensate. These elements are extracted from the gas stream during processing.	Highly volatile liquid Vapors are heavier than air Vapors will seek low areas Odorless, tasteless, and colorless Will travel long distances and form a vapor cloud Toxic	NGL is combustible. Exposure can cause moderate irritation including headaches and dizziness. NGLs can also contain H2S, which is toxic.
Crude Oil Crude oil occurs naturally in liquid form ranging from a water-like substance to a very thick tar. It can range from amber to black in color.	Ranges from fluid to thick liquid consistency Vapors are heavier than air Can travel long distances to ignition source Extremely flammable and toxic	Crude oil is combustible. Exposure can cause moderate irritation including headaches and dizziness. Crude oil can also contain H2S, which is toxic.
Refined Liquid Petroleum Products Refined products derived from crude oil including gasoline, jet fuel, diesel and chemicals.	Vapors are heavier than air Explosive in confined area Extremely flammable and H2S may be released	Gasoline is flammable; distillates are combustible. Exposure can cause moderate irritation including headaches and dizziness. Exposure to refined fuels may also cause eye and skin irritation.