Product ID:HELIUM
MSDS Date:06/01/1990
FSC:6830
NIIN:00-660-0020
MSDS Number: BJZWM

Emergency Phone: 800-523-9374

Info Phone: 215-481-4911

Cage: 00742

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

Cage: 00742

HELIUM

CAS: 7440-59-7

RTECS: MH6520000

Health Hazards Acute and Chronic:IF INGESTED, CONTACT W/SKIN OR VAPOR
INHALED: HELIUM IS ODORLESS/NONTOXIC, MAY PRODUCE SUFFOCATION BY
DILUTING CONCENTRATION OXYGEN IN AIR BELOW LEVELS NECESSARY TO
SUPPORT LIFE. PERSONNEL, INCLUDING RESCUE WOKERS, SHOULD NOT ENTER
AREAS WHERE OXYGEN CONCENTRATION BELOW 19.5% UNLESS PROVIDED W/SCBA
OR AIRLINE RSPRTR.
Effects of Overexposure:EXPOSURE TO OXYGEN-DEFICIENT ATMOSPHERES MAY
PRODUCE DIZZINESS, NAUSEA, VOMITING, LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS & DEATH.
AT LOW OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS, UNCONSCIOUSNESS AND DEATH MAY OCCUR
IN SECONDS WITHOUT WA RNING. EXTENSIVE TISSUE DAMAGE OR BURNSCAN
RESULT FOR EXPOSURE TO LIQUID HELIUM OR COLD HELIUM VAPORS.

First Aid:MOVE PERSONS SUFFERING FROM LACK OF OXYGEN TO AREAS W/NORMAL
ATMOSPHERES. SCBA MAY BE REQUIRED TO PREVENT ASPHYXIATION OF RESCUE
WORKERS. GIVE CPR & OXYGEN IF NOT BREATHING. IF CRYOGENIC LIQUID OR
COL D BOIL-OFF GAS CONTACTS A WORKER'S SKINOR EYES, FLOOD OR SOAK
FROZEN TISSUES W/TEPID WATER. DO NOT USE HOT WATER. CRYOGENIC
BURNS, BLISTERING OR DEEPER TISSUE FREEZING, PROMPTLY SEE
PHYSICIAN.

Unusual Fire/Explosion Hazard:CYLINDER(S) EXPOSED TO INTENSE HEAT OR
FIRE MAY VENT RAPIDLY OR EXPLODE.

Spill Release Procedures:AVOID SKIN CONTACT W/LIQUID HELIUM OR ITS COLD
BOIL-OFF GAS. FLUSH LIQUID SPILL W/WATER TO DISPERSE. VENTILATE
ENCLOSED AREAS TO PREVENT FORMATION OF OXYGEN-DEFICIENT ATMOSPHERES
CAUSED BY LIQUID HELI UM EVAPORATION OR THE RELEASE OF GASEOUS
HELIUM.

Handling and Storage Precautions:HANDLE COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS
W/CARE. USE PRESSURE REDUCING REGULATOR WHEN CONNECTING TO LOWER
PRESS PIPING SYST. SECURE CYLINDERS WHEN NOT IN USE.
Other Precautions:NEVER USE DIRECT FLAME TO HEAT COMPRESSED GAS
CYLINDER. USE CHECK VALVE TO PREVENT BACK FLOW INTO STORAGE
CONTAINER. AVOID DRAGGING, ROLLING OR SLIDING CYLINDERS. USE
SUITABLE HANDTRUCK. STORE IN WELL -VENT AREAS. KEEP FROM IGNITION
SOURCES.

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. SITUATE VENTS
TO AVOID HIGHER THAN NORMAL CONC OF HELIUM IN WORK AREAS.
Protective Gloves:LOOSE FITTING, IMPERMEABLE GLOVES.
Eye Protection:SAFETY GLASSES, CHEM GOGGLES, FACE SHLD.
Supplemental Safety and Health
DO NOT STORE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AREAS. VALVE CAPS SHOULD REMAIN ON
CYLINDERS NOT CONNECTED FOR USE. SEGREGATE FULL AND EMPTY
CYLINDERS. STORAGE SHOULD BE FREE OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL. AVOID
EXPOSURE TO AREAS WHERE SALT OR CORROSIVE CHEMICALSARE PRESENT.
REFILL COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS BY QUALIFIED PRODUCERS OF COMP GAS.

HCC:G3
Boiling Pt:B.P. Text:-452F,-269C
Melt/Freeze Pt:M.P/F.P Text:-458F,-272C
Decomp Temp:Decomp Text:* @ 0C/1ATM
Vapor Density:.01114 *
Spec Gravity:.138 @ OC/1 ATM
Solubility in Water:0.861% @ 68 F/1 ATM
Appearance and Odor:HELIUM IS COLORLESS AND ODORLESS IN BOTH GASEOUS
AND LIQUID STATES.

Stability Indicator/Materials to Avoid:YES

Waste Disposal Methods:ALLOW LIQUID HELIUM TO EVAPORATE IN A
WELL-VENTILATED LOCATION REMOTE FROM WORK AREAS. VENT HELIUM GAS
SLOWLY TO A WELL-VENTILATED OUTDOOR LOCATION REMOTE FROM WORK
AREAS. 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.