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NIOSH

HELIUM

ICSC: 0603

He
(liquefied, cooled)
ICSC # 0603 		CAS # 7440-59-7
RTECS # MH6520000
UN # 1963
August 05, 2003 Validated

TYPES OF HAZARD/ EXPOSURE

ACUTE HAZARDS/ SYMPTOMS

PREVENTION

FIRST AID/
FIRE FIGHTING

FIRE Not combustible. Heating will cause rise in pressure with risk of bursting.

In case of fire in the surroundings: use appropriate extinguishing media.
EXPLOSION

In case of fire: keep cylinder cool by spraying with water.
EXPOSURE


•INHALATION High voice. Dizziness. Dullness. Headache. Suffocation.
Ventilation.
Fresh air, rest. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer for medical attention.
•SKIN ON CONTACT WITH LIQUID: FROSTBITE.
Cold-insulating gloves. Protective clothing.
ON FROSTBITE: rinse with plenty of water, do NOT remove clothes. Refer for medical attention.
•EYES ON CONTACT WITH LIQUID: FROSTBITE.
Safety goggles or face shield.
First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then take to a doctor.
•INGESTION


SPILLAGE DISPOSAL

STORAGE

PACKAGING & LABELLING

Ventilation. NEVER direct water jet on liquid. (Extra personal protection: self-contained breathing apparatus.)
Fireproof if in building. Keep in a well-ventilated room.

UN Hazard Class: 2.2
ICSC: 0603 Prepared in the context of cooperation between the International Programme on Chemical Safety & the Commission of the European Communities (C) IPCS CEC 1994. No modifications to the International version have been made except to add the OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs and NIOSH IDLH values.

HELIUM

ICSC: 0603

I

M

P

O

R

T

A

N

T


D

A

T

A

PHYSICAL STATE; APPEARANCE:
COLOURLESS , ODOURLESS , REFRIGERATED, LIQUEFIED GAS.

PHYSICAL DANGERS:
The gas is lighter than air.

CHEMICAL DANGERS:


OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS:
TLV: Simple asphyxiant; (ACGIH 2003).
MAK not established.


ROUTES OF EXPOSURE:
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.

INHALATION RISK:
On loss of containment this gas can cause suffocation by lowering the oxygen content of the air in confined areas.

EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE:
The liquid may cause frostbite. Suffocation.

EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE:

PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES

Boiling point: -268.9°C
Melting point: -272.2°C
Solubility in water, ml/100 ml at 20°C: 0.86
Relative vapour density (air = 1): 0.14

ENVIRONMENTAL
DATA


N O T E S

UN number 1046 is for helium, compressed. High concentrations in the air cause a deficiency of oxygen with the risk of unconsciousness or death. Check oxygen content before entering area.
Transport Emergency Card: TEC (R)-20S1963

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION



ICSC: 0603 HELIUM
(C) IPCS, CEC, 1994
IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE: Neither NIOSH, the CEC or the IPCS nor any person acting on behalf of NIOSH, the CEC or the IPCS is responsible for the use which might be made of this information. This card contains the collective views of the IPCS Peer Review Committee and may not reflect in all cases all the detailed requirements included in national legislation on the subject. The user should verify compliance of the cards with the relevant legislation in the country of use. The only modifications made to produce the U.S. version is inclusion of the OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs and NIOSH IDLH values.
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