| Product Name: | Helium, Compressed |
| Chemical Name: | Helium |
| Formula: | He |
| Chemical Family: | Inert Gas |
| Use: | Various |
| Synonyms: | Helium USP |
| NFPA Fire: | 0 |
| NFPA Health: | 0 |
| NFPA Reactivity: | 0 |
| NFPA Special Hazard: | SA |
| HMIS Fire: | 0 |
| HMIS Health: | 0 |
| HMIS Reactivity: | 0 |
| Mixture: | No |
| Acute: | No |
| Chronic: | No |
| Fire: | No |
| Reactive: | No |
| Sudden Release Pressure: | Yes |
| Ingredients – Composition Information |
| Component: | Helium |
| CAS No. | 7440-59-7 |
| Percent (by weight) | 99.0% 100.0% |
| ACGIH – STEL | Simple Asphyxiant |
| Emergency Overview |
| Danger: | High Pressure Gas Do not breath gas Can cause rapid suffocation Self contained breathing apparatus may be required by rescue workers |
| Potential Health Effects Information |
| Inhalation: | Simple asphyxiate. Helium is nontoxic, but may cause suffocation by displacing the oxygen in air. Exposure to oxygen-deficient atmosphere (<19.5%) may cause dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, excess salivation, diminished mental alertness, loss of consciousness and death. Exposure to atmospheres containing 8-10% or less oxygen will bring about unconsciousness without warning and so |
| quickly that the individuals cannot help or protect themselves. Lack of sufficient oxygen may cause serious injury or death. |
| Eye: | None. |
| Skin: | None. |
| Ingestion: | None. |
| Chronic Effects: | Acetylene is a non-toxic gas that has no harmful effects even in high concentrations. Acetylene has been used as an anesthetic. |
| Medical Conditions Aggravated By Overexposure | None. |
| Carcinogenicity: | Not listed in NTP, OSHA or IARC |
| First Aid Measures |
| Inhalation: | Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get immediate medical attention. |
| Eye: | None. |
| Skin: | None. |
| Ingestion: | None. |
| Notes To Physician: | None. |
| Fire Fighting Measures |
| Extinguishing Media: | Nonflammable, does not support combustion. Use extinguishing media appropriate for the surrounding fire. |
| Fire Fighting Instructions: | Simple asphyxiant. If possible, without risk, remove cylinders from fire area or cool with water. Self-contained breathing apparatus may be required for rescue workers. |
| Fire And Explosion Hazards | Excessive heat or fire will cause fusible metal pressure relief device to melt allowing acetylene to escape. Cylinders may rupture violently if sidewalls are exposed to direct flame impingement. Cylinders exposed to fire should not be moved until they have reached ambient temperature in the event internal decomposition is taking place. |
| Hazardous Combustion Products: | None |
| Sensitivity To Static Discharge: | None |
| Sensitivity To Mechanical Impact: | None. |
| Accidental Release Measures |
| Evacuate: | Evacuate all personnel from the affected area. Shut off source of helium, if without risk. Ventilate enclosed areas or remove cylinders to an outdoor location. If leaking from cylinder or its valve, contact your supplier. |
| Handling and Storage |
| Storage: | Store and use with adequate ventilation. Cylinders should be stored upright with valve protection cap in place and firmly secured to prevent falling or being knocked over. Protect cylinders from physical damage; do not drag, roll, slide or drop. Do not allow storage area temperature to exceed 125°F (52°C). Full and empty cylinders should be segregated. Use a first-in, first-out inventory system to prevent full containers from being stored for long periods of time. |
| Handling: | Use a suitable hand truck for cylinder movement. Never attempt to lift a cylinder by its valve protection cap. If user experiences any difficulty operating cylinder valve discontinue use and contact supplier. Never insert and object (e.g., wrench, screwdriver, pry bar, etc.) into valve cap openings. Doing so may damage valve, causing leak to occur. Use an adjustable strap wrench to remove over tight or rusted caps. Never strike an arc on a compressed gas cylinder or make a cylinder a part of an electrical circuit. For additional precautions in using helium see Section 16 – Other Information. |
| When Used In Welding Or Cutting: | Read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions and the precautionary label on the products. See American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Z49.1 Safety in Welding and Cutting published by the American Welding Society, P.O. Box 351040, Miami, Florida 33135 and National Fire protection Association (NFPA) 51 Oxygen Fuel Gas Welding and Cutting. |
| Exposure Control – Personal Protection |
| Engineering Controls: |
| Ventilation: | Natural or mechanical to prevent oxygen-deficient atmospheres under 19.5% oxygen. |
| Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): |
| Skin Protection: |
| Clothing: | Cotton clothing is recommended for use to prevent static buildup. |
| Glasses: | Safety glasses are recommended when handling cylinders. |
| Shoes: | Safety shoes are recommended when handling cylinders. |
| Gloves: | Work gloves are recommended when handling cylinders. |
| Respirator: | Self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or positive pressure airline with mask are to be used in oxygen-deficient atmosphere. Air purifying respirators will not provide protection |
| Physical and Chemical Properties |
| Physical State: | Gas |
| Color: | Colorless gas. |
| Odor: | Oderless |
| Molecular Weight: | 4.00 |
| Boiling Point: | -452.1°F ( -268.9°C) |
| Specific Gravity: | .135 At 70°F (21.1°C) @ 1 atm, Air = 1 |
| Water Solubility: | 0.0094 Vol./Vol. At 32° F (0°C) |
| Expansion Ratio: | Not Applicable – Gas |
| pH: | Not Applicable – Gas |
| Odor Threshold: | None |
| Evaporation Rate: | Not Applicable – Gas |
| Coefficient Of Water/Oil Distribution: | Information not available |
| Ecological Information |
| Ecotoxicity: | No adverse ecological effects are expected. Acetylene does not contain any Class I or Class II Ozone depleting chemicals (40 CFR Part 82). Acetylene is not listed as a marine pollutant by DOT (49 CFR Part 171). |
| Disposal Considerations |
| Waste Disposal Method: | Do not attempt to dispose of residual or unused quantities. Return cylinder to supplier.Unserviceable cylinders should be returned to the supplier for safe and properdisposal.For emergency disposal, secure the cylinder and slowly discharge gas to the atmosphere in a well ventilated area or outdoors. |
| Transport Information |
| DOT/IMO Shipping Name: | Helium, compressed. |
| Hazard Class: | 2.2 (Non Flammable gas.) |
| Identification Number: | UN 1046 |
| PIN: | 1046 |
| Product RQ: | None. |
| Shipping Label: | Non Flammable Gas. |
| Special Shipping Information: | Cylinders should be transported in a secure position, in a well ventilated vehicle. The transportation of compressed gas cylinders in automobiles or in closed-body vehicles can present serious hazards and should be discouraged. |
| Placard (When Required): | Non Flammable gas. |