Question 58 GLI01 - Master-Unlimited Tonnage

The Correct Answer is B **Explanation for Option B (70°F):** Ethylene oxide (EO) is a hazardous chemical, primarily transported as a liquefied gas under pressure. Regulations governing the safe loading and transport of ethylene oxide mandate specific temperature limits to prevent polymerization, excessive vapor pressure build-up, and potential runaway reactions. Industry standards and safety regulations (such as those referenced in the US CFR 49 for hazardous materials transportation, or equivalent international codes like the IMO Dangerous Goods Code/IGC Code for gas carriers) stipulate that ethylene oxide shall be loaded and maintained below **70°F (approximately 21°C)**. This temperature limit is a critical safety margin to ensure the product remains stable during handling and transit. **Explanation for Incorrect Options:** * **A) 90°F:** This temperature is significantly higher than the mandated limit of 70°F. Loading or transporting ethylene oxide at 90°F would dangerously increase the risk of polymerization and the subsequent buildup of pressure, potentially leading to container failure. * **C) 51°F:** While loading at 51°F is safe, 51°F is the approximate boiling point (51.3°F or 10.7°C) of ethylene oxide at atmospheric pressure, not the regulatory upper limit for loading. Regulations require the temperature to be *below* 70°F, making 70°F the operative regulatory benchmark, not the boiling point itself. * **D) its flash point:** The flash point of ethylene oxide is extremely low (around -4°F or -20°C). While all flammable liquids must be handled with respect to their flash point, loading below the flash point is often impractical for refrigerated or pressurized gases, and the critical regulatory requirement for EO is stabilization *below 70°F* to control polymerization and pressure, which is a different hazard than just ignition at ambient temperatures.