Material Safety Data Sheet
Nonflammable Gas Mixture: Helium 98-99% / M Xylene 100ppm-1.4%
Section 1. Chemical product and company identification
: Nonflammable Gas Mixture: Helium 98-99% / M Xylene 100ppm-1.4%
Product Name
: AIRGAS INC., on behalf of its subsidiaries
Supplier
259 North Radnor-Chester Road
Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087-5283
1-610-687-5253
: Synthetic/Analytical chemistry.
Product use
: 006041
MSDS#
Date of : 5/30/2006.
Preparation/Revision
: 1-866-734-3438
In case of emergency
Section 2. Hazards identification
: Gas.
Physical state
: Warning!
Emergency overview
CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE.
CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE FOLLOWING ORGANS:
BLOOD, KIDNEYS, LIVER, GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, RESPIRATORY TRACT,
SKIN, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, EYE, LENS OR CORNEA.
POSSIBLE CANCER HAZARD
CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH MAY CAUSE CANCER BASED ON ANIMAL DATA.
Do not puncture or incinerate container. Risk of cancer depends on duration and level of
exposure.
Contact with rapidly expanding gases can cause frostbite.
: Inhalation
Routes of entry
Potential acute health effects
Irritating to eyes.
Eyes :
Irritating to skin.
Skin :
Acts as a simple asphyxiant. Irritating to respiratory system.
Inhalation :
Ingestion is not a normal route of exposure for gases
:
Ingestion
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS Classified A4 (Not classifiable for human or animal.) by
:
Potential chronic health :
ACGIH, 3 (Not classifiable for human.) by IARC [m-xylene].
effects
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS Not available.
:
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS Not available.
:
: Acute or chronic respiratory conditions may be aggravated by overexposure to this gas.
Medical conditions
aggravated by overexposure
See toxicological Information (section 11)
Section 3. Composition, Information on Ingredients
Name CAS number % Volume Exposure limits
Helium 7440-59-7 98 - 99
m-Xylene 108-38-3 0.01 - 1.4 ACGIH TLV (United States, 1/2005). Notes:
1996 Adoption Substances for which there
is a Biological Exposure Index or Indices
Refers to Appendix A -- Carcinogens.
STEL: 651 mg/m 3 15 minute(s). Form: All
forms
STEL: 150 ppm 15 minute(s). Form: All
forms
TWA: 434 mg/m 3 8 hour(s). Form: All forms
TWA: 100 ppm 8 hour(s). Form: All forms
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Nonflammable Gas Mixture: Helium 98-99% / M Xylene 100ppm-1.4%
NIOSH REL (United States, 12/2001).
STEL: 655 mg/m 3 15 minute(s). Form: All
forms
STEL: 150 ppm 15 minute(s). Form: All
forms
TWA: 435 mg/m 3 10 hour(s). Form: All forms
TWA: 100 ppm 10 hour(s). Form: All forms
OSHA PEL (United States, 8/1997).
TWA: 435 mg/m 3 8 hour(s). Form: All forms
TWA: 100 ppm 8 hour(s). Form: All forms
Section 4. First aid measures
No action shall be taken involving any personal risk or without suitable training.If fumes are still suspected to be present,
the rescuer should wear an appropriate mask or a self-contained breathing apparatus.It may be dangerous to the person
providing aid to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
: In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.
Eye contact
Get medical attention if irritation occurs.
: In case of contact, immediately flush skin with plenty of water. Remove contaminated
Skin contact
clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. Thoroughly clean shoes before reuse.
Get medical attention.
: Try to warm up the frozen tissues and seek medical attention.
Frostbite
: If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. If not breathing, give
Inhalation
artificial respiration. Get medical attention.
: Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give
Ingestion
anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention if symptoms
appear.
Section 5. Fire fighting measures
Flammability of the product : Non-flammable.
: These products are carbon oxides (CO, CO 2).
Products of combustion
: Use an extinguishing agent suitable for surrounding fires.
Fire fighting media and
instructions
If involved in fire, shut off flow immediately if it can be done without risk. Apply water
from a safe distance to cool container and protect surrounding area.
No specific hazard.
: Fire fighters should wear appropriate protective equipment and self-contained breathing
Special protective
apparatus (SCBA) with a full facepiece operated in positive pressure mode.
equipment for fire-fighters
Section 6. Accidental release measures
: Immediately contact emergency personnel. Keep unnecessary personnel away. Use
Personal precautions
suitable protective equipment (Section 8). Shut off gas supply if this can be done safely.
Isolate area until gas has dispersed.
Environmental precautions : Avoid dispersal of spilled material and runoff and contact with soil, waterways, drains
and sewers.
Section 7. Handling and storage
: Do not puncture or incinerate container. High pressure gas. Use equipment rated for
Handling
cylinder pressure. Close valve after each use and when empty. Protect cylinders from
physical damage; do not drag, roll, slide, or drop. Use a suitable hand truck for cylinder
movement.
: Keep container tightly closed. Keep container in a cool, well-ventilated area. Cylinders
Storage
should be stored upright, with valve protection cap in place, and firmly secured to
prevent falling or being knocked over. Cylinder temperatures should not exceed 52 癈
(125 癋).
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Nonflammable Gas Mixture: Helium 98-99% / M Xylene 100ppm-1.4%
Section 8. Exposure Controls, Personal Protection
: Use only with adequate ventilation. If user operations generate dust, fumes, vapor or
Engineering controls
mist, use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to
keep worker exposure to airborne contaminants below any recommended or statutory
limits.
Personal protection
: Safety eyewear complying with an approved standard should be used when a risk
Eyes
assessment indicates this is necessary to avoid exposure to liquid splashes, mists or
dusts.
: Personal protective equipment for the body should be selected based on the task being
Skin
performed and the risks involved and should be approved by a specialist before handling
this product.
: Use a properly fitted, air-purifying or air-fed respirator complying with an approved
Respiratory
standard if a risk assessment indicates this is necessary.Respirator selection must be
based on known or anticipated exposure levels, the hazards of the product and the safe
working limits of the selected respirator.
The applicable standards are (US) 29 CFR 1910.134 and (Canada) Z94.4-93
: Chemical-resistant, impervious gloves or gauntlets complying with an approved standard
Hands
should be worn at all times when handling chemical products if a risk assessment
indicates this is necessary.
Personal protection in case : A self-contained breathing apparatus should be used to avoid inhalation of the product.
of a large spill
Consult local authorities for acceptable exposure limits.
Section 9. Physical and chemical properties
Not applicable.
Molecular weight :
Not applicable.
Molecular formula :
Not available.
Boiling/condensation point :
-272.25癈 (-458.1癋) based on data for: Helium.
Melting/freezing point :
Not available.
Critical temperature :
The highest known value is 0.14 (Air = 1) (Helium).
Vapor density :
Specific Volume (ft3/lb) Not applicable.
:
Gas Density (lb/ft3) Weighted average: 0.01
:
Section 10. Stability and reactivity
: The product is stable.
Stability and reactivity
: Under normal conditions of storage and use, hazardous polymerization will not occur.
Conditions of instability
(m-xylene)
Incompatibility with various : Slightly reactive to reactive with, acids.
substances
Section 11. Toxicological information
Ingredient name Test Result Route Species
m-Xylene LD50 5000 mg/kg Oral Rat
LC50 10000 (1 hour Inhalation Rat
(s))
Chronic effects on humans : CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS Classified A4 (Not classifiable for human or animal.) by
:
ACGIH, 3 (Not classifiable for human.) by IARC [m-xylene].
Contains material which causes damage to the following organs: blood, kidneys, liver,
gastrointestinal tract, upper respiratory tract, skin, central nervous system (CNS), eye,
lens or cornea.
: Not considered to be toxic for humans.
Other toxic effects on
humans
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Nonflammable Gas Mixture: Helium 98-99% / M Xylene 100ppm-1.4%
Specific effects
: Contains material which may cause cancer based on animal data. Risk of cancer
Carcinogenic effects
depends on duration and level of exposure.
: No known significant effects or critical hazards.
Mutagenic effects
: No known significant effects or critical hazards.
Reproduction toxicity
Section 12. Ecological information
Ingredient name Species Period Result
m-Xylene Daphnia magna (EC50) 48 hour(s) 3.53 mg/l
Daphnia magna (EC50) 48 hour(s) 5 mg/l
Oncorhynchus mykiss (LC50) 96 hour(s) 8.4 mg/l
Poecilia reticulata (LC50) 96 hour(s) 12.9 mg/l
Pimephales promelas (LC50) 96 hour(s) 16 mg/l
: These products are carbon oxides (CO, CO 2) and water.
Products of degradation
: The product itself and its products of degradation are not toxic.
Toxicity of the products of
biodegradation
: Not available.
Environmental fate
: No known significant effects or critical hazards.
Environmental hazards
Toxicity to the environment : Not available.
Section 13. Disposal considerations
Product removed from the cylinder must be disposed of in accordance with appropriate Federal, State, local
regulation.Return cylinders with residual product to Airgas, Inc.Do not dispose of locally.
Section 14. Transport information
Regulatory UN number Proper shipping Class Packing group Label Additional
information name information
DOT Classification UN1956 COMPRESSED GAS, 2.2 Not applicable (gas). -
N.O.S. NON-FLAMMABLE GAS
2
TDG Classification UN1956 COMPRESSED GAS, 2.2 Not applicable (gas). Explosive
N.O.S. Limit and
Limited
2
Quantity
Index
0.125
Passenger
Carrying
Road or Rail
Index
75
UN1956 COMPRESSED GAS, 2.2 Not applicable (gas). -
Mexico
N.O.S.
Classification NON-FLAMMABLE GAS
2
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Nonflammable Gas Mixture: Helium 98-99% / M Xylene 100ppm-1.4%
Section 15. Regulatory information
United States
: TSCA 8(b) inventory: Helium; m-xylene
U.S. Federal regulations
SARA 302/304/311/312 extremely hazardous substances: No products were found.
SARA 302/304 emergency planning and notification: No products were found.
SARA 302/304/311/312 hazardous chemicals: Helium; m-xylene
SARA 311/312 MSDS distribution - chemical inventory - hazard identification: Helium:
Sudden Release of Pressure; m-xylene: Fire hazard, Immediate (Acute) Health Hazard,
Delayed (Chronic) Health Hazard
Clean Water Act (CWA) 307: No products were found.
Clean Water Act (CWA) 311: m-xylene
Clean air act (CAA) 112 accidental release prevention: No products were found.
Clean air act (CAA) 112 regulated flammable substances: No products were found.
Clean air act (CAA) 112 regulated toxic substances: No products were found.
SARA 313
Product name CAS number Concentration
: m-Xylene 108-38-3 0.01 - 1.4
Form R - Reporting
requirements
: m-Xylene 108-38-3 0.01 - 1.4
Supplier notification
SARA 313 notifications must not be detached from the MSDS and any copying and redistribution of the MSDS shall
include copying and redistribution of the notice attached to copies of the MSDS subsequently redistributed.
: Pennsylvania RTK: Helium: (generic environmental hazard); m-xylene: (environmental
State regulations
hazard, generic environmental hazard)
Massachusetts RTK: Helium; m-xylene
New Jersey: Helium; m-xylene
Canada
: Class A: Compressed gas.
WHMIS (Canada)
Class D-2B: Material causing other toxic effects (TOXIC).
CEPA DSL: Helium; m-xylene
Section 16. Other information
United States
: CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE.
Label Requirements
CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE FOLLOWING ORGANS:
BLOOD, KIDNEYS, LIVER, GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, RESPIRATORY TRACT,
SKIN, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, EYE, LENS OR CORNEA.
POSSIBLE CANCER HAZARD
CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH MAY CAUSE CANCER BASED ON ANIMAL DATA.
Canada
: Class A: Compressed gas.
Label Requirements
Class D-2B: Material causing other toxic effects (TOXIC).
*1
Hazardous Material : Health
Information System (U.S.A.) 0
Fire hazard
0
Reactivity
C
Personal protection
National Fire Protection :
Flammability
0
Association (U.S.A.)
1 0
Health Instability
Special
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Nonflammable Gas Mixture: Helium 98-99% / M Xylene 100ppm-1.4%
Notice to reader
To the best of our knowledge, the information contained herein is accurate. However, neither the above named
supplier nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any liability whatsoever for the accuracy or completeness of the
information contained herein.
Final determination of suitability of any material is the sole responsibility of the user. All materials may present
unknown hazards and should be used with caution. Although certain hazards are described herein, we cannot
guarantee that these are the only hazards that exist.
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