Product ID:HELIUM
MSDS Date:07/07/1989
FSC:6830
NIIN:00-660-0027
MSDS Number: BJZBQ

Emergency Phone: 800-424-9300(CHEMTREC)

Info Phone: 201-464-8100

Cage: 00741

Telephone: 800-424-9300(CHEMTREC)

Cage: 00741

HELIUM, GAS

CAS: 7440-59-7

RTECS: MH6520000

Fraction By Weight: 99.9%

Reports of Carcinogenicity:NTP:NO IARC:NO OSHA:NO
Health Hazards Acute and Chronic:INHALATION: HELIUM IS A SIMPLE
ASPHYXIANT. EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE TO HIGH CONCENTRATIONS SO AS TO
DISPLACE THE OXYGEN IN THE AIR NECESSARY FOR LIFE ARE HEADACHE,
DIZZINESS, LABORED BREATHING AND EVEN TUAL UNCONSCIOUSNESS.
BREATHING MIXTURES OF HELIUM W/ADEQUATE OXYGEN TO SUPPORT LIFE
MODIFIES THE VOICE SO THAT IT *
Effects of Overexposure:*IS HIGH PITCHED. HELIUM IS NONTOXIC, BUT THE
RELEASE OF A LARGE AMOUNT IN A CONFINED AREA COULD DISPLACE THE
OXYGEN IN AIR NECESSARY TO SUPPORT LIFE. MAINTAIN OXYGEN LEVELS
ABOVE 19.5% AT SEA LEVEL.

First Aid:INHALE: GET PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION IN ALL OVEREXPOSURE
CASES. USE SCBA. QUICKLY REMOVE TO FRESH AIR. IF UNCONSCIOUS GIVE
CPR. SKIN: NEVER USE OINTMENT OR OIL IN EYES W/O MEDICAL ADVICE. IN
CASE OF F REEZING OR CRYOGENIC "BURNS" CAUSED BY RAPIDLY
EVAPORATING LIQUID, DON'T WASH EYES W/HOT OR TEPID WATER. OPEN
EYELIDS/LET LIQUID EVAPORATE. PROTECT EYES W/LIGHT BANDAGE IF
CANNOT TOLERATE LIGHT.

Flash Point:NA
Extinguishing Media:NONFLAMMABLE, INERT GAS. USE ANY EXTINGUISHING
MEDIA WHICH IS SUITABLE FOR THE SURROUNDING FIRE.

Spill Release Procedures:EVACUATE ALL PERSONNEL FROM AFFECTED AREAS.
USE APPROPRIATE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. IF LEAK IS IN CONTAINER OR
CONTAINER VALVE, CONTACT CHEMTREC FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE OR YOUR
CLOSEST AIRCO LOCATION.

Handling and Storage Precautions:ONLY USE IN WELL-VENT AREAS. USE VALVE
PROTECTION CAPS UNLESS CONTAINER IS SECURED W/VALVE PROTECTION
OUTLET PIPED TO USE POINT. DO NOT HEAT CYLINDER.
Other Precautions:DO NOT DRAG, SLIDE, ROLL CYLINDERS. USE SUITABLE
HANDTRUCK FOR MOVEMENT. USE PRESS REDUCING REGULATOR WHEN
CONNECTING CYLINDER TO LOWER PRESSURE PIPING/SYSTEMS. PROTECT
CYLINDERS FROM PHYSICAL DAMAGE. USE CHECK VALVE/TRAP IN DISCHARGE
LINE.

Respiratory Protection:POSITIVE PRESSURE AIR LINE WITH MASK OR
SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR
EMERGENCY USE.
Ventilation:LOCAL EXHAUST TO PREVENT ACCUMULATION OF HIGH
CONCENTRATIONS SO AS TO REDUCE OXYGEN LEVEL IN AIR TO LESS THAN
19.5%. **
Protective Gloves:ANY MATERIAL.
Eye Protection:SAFETY GOGGLES OR GLASSES.
Other Protective Equipment:SAFETY SHOES. **MECHANICAL IN
ACCORDANCE WITH ELECTRICAL CODES.
Supplemental Safety and Health
STORE IN COOL, DRY, WELL-VENT AREA OF NON-COMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION AWAY
FROM HEAVILY TRAFFICKED AREAS/EMERGENCY EXITS. KEEP STORAGE TEMPS
BELOW 130 F. STORE UPRIGHT & FIRMLY SECURED. USE "FIRST IN-FIR ST
OUT" INVENTORY. DON'T TRANSPORT CYLINDER OF CRYOGENIC LIQUID IN
ENCLOSED SPACE.

HCC:G3
Boiling Pt:B.P. Text:-452F,-269C
Vapor Density:0.14 (GAS)
Solubility in Water:NEGLIGIBLE
Appearance and Odor:A COLORLESS, ODORLESS GAS

Stability Indicator/Materials to Avoid:YES

Waste Disposal Methods:DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISPOSE OF WASTE OR UNUSED
QUANTITIES. RETURN IN THE SHIPPING CONTAINER PROPERLY LABELED, WITH
ANY VALVE OUTLET PLUGS OR CAPS SECURED AND VALVE PROTECTION CAP IN
PLACE TO AIRCO FOR P ROPER DISPOSAL.

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.