Ethanol is a clear, colourless liquid with a characteristic pleasant odour and burning taste. It is highly flammable. Ethanol is used to dissolve other chemical substances and mixes readily with water and many organic liquids. Ethanol is considered a volatile organic compound by the National Pollutant Inventory.

Ethanol, also called alcohol, ethyl alcohol and grain alcohol, is a clear, colorless liquid and the principle ingredient in alcoholic beverages like beer, wine or brandy. Because it can readily dissolve in water and other organic compounds, ethanol also is an ingredient in a range of products, from personal care and beauty products to paints and varnishes to fuel.

Since both gasoline and ethanol-blended fuels have very similar physical and chemical characteristics, they will be transported in the same general types of containers and tanks. The most prevalent style of transport of the blended fuels that emergency responders will encounter will be by MC-306 and Department of Transportation (DOT)-406 style road tankers with 3/8-inch aluminum tanks. These tankers are non-pressurized dual-axle, come in a variety of sizes and configurations, and have a capacity up to 6,000-9,500 gallons depending on where responders are located. The tanker itself may also have up to seven compartments.

Cargo tank trucks are placarded and marked similar to other products. Other characteristics of the cargo tank are pressure and vacuum relief devices. They are typically bottom loaded and unloaded and equipped with a vapor recovery system. Safety devices on these tank trucks consist of emergency shutoffs, breakaway valves for sheer protection, pressure relief devices as well as overfill and collision protection.