Columbia contained variety of harmful chemicals.(The Orlando Sentinel)

Byline: Sandra Pedicini

ORLANDO, Fla. _ The space shuttle Columbia carried a variety of chemicals that could cause serious problems _ from burns to respiratory illnesses _ for anyone who touches them.

Officials said most of the chemicals would have quickly dissipated into the air after the Columbia accident, but traces could remain on pieces of tanks in which they were contained or on maneuvering thrusters.

"The danger is if there happens to be something still on the ground contained in a container," said Bruce Buckingham, spokesman for Kennedy Space Center.

Monomethyl hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide are the two chemicals primarily used as rocket fuel, igniting upon contact in the shuttle. Produced out-of-state and shipped into Central Florida, the two substances are so volatile that they are stored on opposite sides of the launch pad. Workers use extreme safety precautions when loading the fuel over a five-day period.

Hydrazine is suspected of causing cancer and is known to burn the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Breathing hydrazines for short periods may cause coughing and irritation of the throat and lungs, convulsions, tremors or seizures.

When it lifts off, the shuttle contains more than 1,400 gallons of monomethyl hydrazine and hundreds of thousands of gallons of nitrogen tetroxide. A different form of ...