> >Halon is a brand name for the chemical Carbon Tetrachloride...
>
> Hmmm -- us old folks know that Carbona was the common brand name for
> Carbon-Tet, which they did indeed use to use in fire extinguishers as well
> as for cleaning fluid.

AND... believe it or not... was used for fumigating grain!!!

> Hasn't been available for many years though, toxic
> and breaks down to phosgene gas or similar when sufficiently heated.
>
> >It goes on to talk about liver, kidney, and brain damage due to Carbon
> >Tetracholoide... better known as Halon.
>
> Better tell the County to check their facts... <g>

The California Regional Water Quality Control Board supplied a copy of a
page from something called the "NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards"
(I think this is Occupational Safety stuff)

excerpts:
"Carbon tetrachloride, CCl4
Synonyms & Trade Names,
Carbon chloride, Cargbon tet, Freon 10, Halon 104, Tetrachloromethane"

"Exposure Limits:
NIOSH REL: Ca ST 2ppm (12.6mg/m3) [60 minute] See Appendix A,
OSHA PEL: TWA 10 ppm C 25 ppm 200 ppm (5 minute maximum peak in any 4
hours)"

"Incompatibilities & Reactivities:
Chemically-active metals such as sodium, potassium & magnesium; fluorine;
aluminum [note: forms highly toxic phosgene gas when exposed to flames or
welding arcs.]"

"Symptoms: irritation eyes, skin; central nervous system
depressant/depression; nausea, vomiting; liver, kidney injury; drowsiness,
dizziness, incoordination; [potential occupational carcinogen]"

"Target Organs central nervous system, eyes, lungs, liver, kidneys, skin.
Cancer Site [in animals; liver cancer]"