Product ID:HELIUM
MSDS Date:06/13/1988
FSC:6830
NIIN:01-263-3701
MSDS Number: BHBVN

Emergency Phone: 1-800-523-9374 IN PA 1-800-322-9092

Info Phone: 215-481-4911

Cage: 00742

Telephone: 800-345-3148/ 800-752-1597

Cage: 00742

4.003)

CAS: 7440-59-7

RTECS: NH6520000

Routes of Entry: Inhalation:YES Skin:YES Ingestion:YES
Reports of Carcinogenicity:NTP:NO IARC:NO OSHA:NO
Health Hazards Acute and Chronic:HELIUM IS ODORLESS AND NONTOXIC BUT
MAY PRODUCE SUFFOCATION BY DILUTING THE CONCENTRATION OF OXYGEN IN
AIR BELOW LEVELS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT LIFE. EXTENSIVE TISSUE DAMAGE
OR BURNS CAN RESULT FROM EXPO SURE TO LIQUID HELIUM OR COLD HELIUM
VAPORS.
Explanation of Carcinogenicity:HELIUM IS A SIMPLE ASPHYXIANT AND HAS NO
TRESHOLD LIMIT VALUE (TLV). HELIUM NOT LISTED AS CARCINOGEN BY
NTP/IARC/OSHA.
Effects of Overexposure:DIZZINESS,NAUSEA,VOMITING,LOSS OF
CONSCIOUSNESS. DEATH MAY RESULT FROM ERRORS IN
JUDGEMENT,CONFUSION,OR LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS WHICH PREVENT
SELF-RESCUE. AT LOW OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS UNCONSCIOUSNESS AN D
DEATH MAY OCCUR IN SECONDS WITHOUT WARNING.

First Aid:ASSISTED RESPIRATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN SHOULD BE GIVEN
IF THE VICTIM IS NOT BREATHING. IF CRYOGENIC LIQUID OR COLD
BOIL-OFF GAS CONTACTS A WORKERS SKIN OR EYES, FROZEN TISSUES SHOULD
BE FLOODED OR SOAKED WITH TEPID WATER (105-115F; 41-46C) DO NOT
USE HOT WATER. CRYOGENIC BURNS WHICH RESULT IN BLISTERING OR DEEPER
TISSUE FREEZING SHOULD BE SEEN PROMPTLY BY A PHYSICIAN.

Flash Point:NONE LISTED
Lower Limits:NONE LISTED
Upper Limits:NONE LISTED

Spill Release Procedures:AVOID CONTACT OF SKIN WITH LIQUID HELIUM OR
ITS COLD BOIL-OFF GAS.FLUSH LIQUID SPILL WITH WATER TO DISPERSE.
VENTILATE ENCLOSED AREAS TO PREVENT FORMATION OF OXYGEN-DEFICIENT
ATMOSPHERES CAUSED BY EVA PORAT OF LIQ HELIUM OR RELEASE OF GASEOUS
HELIUM.

Handling and Storage Precautions:PREVENT ENTRAPMENT OF LIQUID IN CLOSED
SYSTEMS. USE IN WELL VENTED AREAS. AVOID EXPOSURE TO AREAS WHERE
SALT OR CORROSIVE CHEMICALS ARE PRESENT.
Other Precautions:LIQUID HELIUM IN EXPOSED PIPING CAN CAUSE AIR TO
CONDENSE AND LIQUEFY. UTILIZE OXYGEN-COMPATIBLE INSULATING
MATERIALS AND MINIMIZE EXPOSED PIPING AREAS. AVOID USE OF CARBON
STEEL AND OTHER METAL WHICH BECOME BRITTLE AT LOW TEMPERATURES.

Respiratory Protection:USE SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS IN
OXYGEN-DEFICIENT ATMOSPHERES. CAUTION-AIR PURIFYING RESPIRATORS
WILL NOT FUNCTION. THEIR USE MAY RESULT IN ASPHYXIATION.
Ventilation:NATURAL OR MECHANICAL WHERE GAS IS PRESENT.
Protective Gloves:LEATHER IS RECOMMENDED.
Eye Protection:SAFETY GLASSES-SEE BELOW.
Other Protective Equipment:NONE.
Supplemental Safety and Health
EYE-SAFETY GLASSES ARE RECOMMENDED WHEN HANDLING HIGH-PRESSURE
CYLINDERS. USE CHEMICAL GOGGLES OR A FACESHIELD WITH SAFETY GLASSES
WHEN HANDLING LIQUID.VENTILATION-VENTS SHOULD BE SITUATED TO AVOID
HI GHER THAN NORMAL CONCENTRATION OF HELIUM IN WORK AREA.

Boiling Pt:B.P. Text:-452F/268C
Vapor Density:32F0.01114
Spec Gravity:23F(OC)1ATM.138
Solubility in Water:68F(20C)1 ATM 0.861%
Appearance and Odor:HELIUM IS COLORLESS AND ODORLESS IN BOTH GASEOUS
AND LIQUID STATES.

Stability Indicator/Materials to Avoid:YES
NONE
Stability Condition to Avoid:NONE
Hazardous Decomposition Products:NONE

Waste Disposal Methods:ALLOW LIQUID HELIUM TO EVAP IN A WELL-VENT
LOCATION REMOTE FROM WORK AREAS. VENT HELIUM GAS SLOWLY TO A
WELL-VENT OUTDOOR LOCATION REMOTE FOR WORK AREA.DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
DISPOSE OF RESIDUAL HELIUM IN COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS.

Disclaimer (provided with this information by the compiling agencies):
This information is formulated for use by elements of the Department
of Defense. The United States of America in no manner whatsoever,
expressly or implied, warrants this information to be accurate and
disclaims all liability for its use. Any person utilizing this
document should seek competent professional advice to verify and
assume responsibility for the suitability of this information to their
particular situation.