Biodiesel Fuel Safety

Biodiesel is completely non-toxic. In fact, it has an acute oral dose (lethal dose) of over 17.4 g/kg of body weight (LD50). By comparison, table salt is 1.74 g/kg, ten times more lethal than biodiesel. Aquatically, the lethal dose for fish from biodiesel exposure is over 1000 mg/liter LD50, which is considered as “insignificant toxicity” according to NIOSH (USA National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). When examining dermal exposure, a 24 hour human patch exposure test revealed very mild irritation, which was less than a 4% soap solution over the same period of time. This decreased exposure risk allows increased safety when handling and transporting biodiesel. B100 can be transported in single-walled tanker cars instead of the required double-walled for petroleum diesel fuels. Thus, the storage and use regulations of biodiesel are significantly less stringent than those of petroleum diesel. This may present an incentive to Canada’s progressive OH&S work force to use biodiesel.

The flash point (the temperature at which a chemical will auto-ignite) of biodiesel fuel is significantly higher than that of its petroleum counterpart (biodiesel flashes around 150 degrees Celsius while petroleum flashes around 52 degrees Celsius), allowing for safer storage and handling of biodiesel over petroleum fuel. Much like petroleum diesel fuel, an open flame dropped in a container of biodiesel will not ignite the fuel making it much safer to handle than gasoline or other petroleum products.

Operational Safety

Although biodiesel as a product is inherently very safe to use and transport, the production of biodiesel involves the use of methanol and other chemicals and processes that require exceptional diligence to ensure the safe working environment for our employees.  Included in this diligence is Certificate Of Recognition (COR) certification which highlights safe practices and procedures for all of our staff.