MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
PRODUCT NAME: SULFUR DIOXIDE
1. Chemical Product and Company Identification
BOC Gases, BOC Gases
Division of Division of
The BOC Group, Inc. BOC Canada Limited
575 Mountain Avenue 5975 Falbourne Street, Unit 2
Murray Hill, NJ 07974 Mississauga, Ontario L5R 3W6
TELEPHONE NUMBER: (908) 464-8100 TELEPHONE NUMBER: (905) 501-1700
24-HOUR EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 24-HOUR EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER:
CHEMTREC (800) 424-9300 (905) 501-0802
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN NO: 20101
PRODUCT NAME: SULFUR DIOXIDE
CHEMICAL NAME: Sulfur Dioxide
COMMON NAMES/SYNONYMS: Bisulfite, Sulfurous Anhydride, Sulfurous Oxide, Sulfur Oxide
TDG (Canada) CLASSIFICATION: 2.3 (8)
WHMIS CLASSIFICATION: A, D1A, D2B, E
PREPARED BY: Loss Control (908)464-8100/(905)501-1700
PREPARATION DATE: 6/1/95
REVIEW DATES: 6/7/96
2. Composition, Information on Ingredients
PEL-OSHA1 TLV-ACGIH2
INGREDIENT % VOLUME LD50 or LC50
Route/Species
Sulfur Dioxide < 100.0 5 ppm TWA 2 ppm TWA LC50
FORMULA: SO2 5 ppm STEL 2520 ppm/1H
CAS: 7446-09-5 (Rat)
RTECS #: WS 4550000
1
As stated in 29 CFR 1910, Subpart Z (revised July 1, 1993)
2
As stated in the ACGIH 1994-95 Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents
3. Hazards Identification
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
Corrosive to exposed tissues. Inhalation of vapors may result in pulmonary edema and chemical
pneumonitis. Nonflammable. Reacts with water to produce sulfuric acid.
ROUTE OF ENTRY:
Skin Contact Skin Absorption Eye Contact Inhalation Ingestion
Yes No Yes Yes No
MSDS: G-79
Revised: 7/1/96 Page 1 of 6
PRODUCT NAME: SULFUR DIOXIDE
HEALTH EFFECTS:
Exposure Limits Irritant Sensitization
Yes Yes No
Teratogen Reproductive Hazard Mutagen
Yes Yes Yes
Synergistic Effects
None reported
Carcinogenicity: -- NTP: No IARC: No OSHA: No
EYE EFFECTS:
Corrosive and irritating to the eyes. Contact with the liquid or vapor causes painful burns and ulcerations.
Burns to the eyes result in lesions and possible loss of vision.
SKIN EFFECTS:
Corrosive and irritating to the skin and all living tissue. Toxic level exposure to dermal tissue causes acid-like
burns and skin lesions resulting in early necrosis and scarring.
INGESTION EFFECTS:
Ingestion unlikely. Gas at room temperature.
INHALATION EFFECTS:
Corrosive and irritating to the upper and lower respiratory tract and all mucosal tissue. Initial symptoms of
exposure include nose and throat irritation, becoming steadily worse, suffocating and painful. The irritation
extends to the chest causing a cough reflex which may be violent and painful and may include the discharge of
blood or vomiting with eventual collapse. Other symptoms include headache, general discomfort and anxiety.
Chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary edema may result from exposure to the lower respiratory tract and deep
lung.
Repeated or prolonged low level exposures may cause corrosion of the teeth.
Reproductive toxicity and developmental changes in newborn have been observed in experimental animals
exposed to sulfur dioxide.
Sulfur dioxide is mutagenic in experimental cell assay systems.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS AGGRAVATED BY EXPOSURE:
Individuals with impaired pulmonary function may be at increased risk from exposure.
NFPA HAZARD CODES HMIS HAZARD CODES RATINGS SYSTEM
Health: 3 Health: 3 0 = No Hazard
Flammability: 0 Flammability: 0 1 = Slight Hazard
Reactivity: 0 Reactivity: 1 2 = Moderate Hazard
3 = Serious Hazard
4 = Severe Hazard
MSDS: G-79
Revised: 7/1/96 Page 2 of 6
PRODUCT NAME: SULFUR DIOXIDE
4. First Aid Measures
EYES:
PERSONS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE SHOULD NOT WEAR CONTACT LENSES. Flush
contaminated eyes with copious quantities of water. Part eyelids to assure complete flushing. Continue for a
minimum of 15 minutes. Seek immediate medical attention.
SKIN:
Remove contaminated clothing as rapidly as possible. Flush affected area with copious quantities of water.
Seek immediate medical attention.
INGESTION:
Not required.
INHALATION:
PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION IS MANDATORY IN ALL CASES OF OVER EXPOSURE. RESCUE
PERSONNEL SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS. Victims
should be assisted to an uncontaminated area and inhale fresh air. Quick removal from the contaminated area is
most important. If breathing has stopped administer artificial resuscitation and supplemental oxygen. Further
treatment should be symptomatic and supportive.
5. Fire Fighting Measures
Conditions of Flammability: Nonflammable
Flash point: Method: Autoignition
None Not Applicable Temperature: None
LEL(%): None UEL(%): None
Hazardous combustion products: None
Sensitivity to mechanical shock: None
Sensitivity to static discharge: None
FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS:
None. Nonflammable.
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA:
Use media approriate for surrounding materials. Sulfur dioxide forms sulfuric acid solutions with water.
6. Accidental Release Measures
Evacuate all personnel from affected area. Use appropriate protective equipment. If leak is in user's equipment,
be certain to purge piping with inert gas prior to attempting repairs. If leak is in container or container valve,
contact the appropriate emergency telephone number listed in Section 1 or call your closest BOC location.
MSDS: G-79
Revised: 7/1/96 Page 3 of 6
PRODUCT NAME: SULFUR DIOXIDE
7. Handling and Storage
Electrical classification:
Nonhazardous.
Most metals corrode when in contact with wet sulfur dioxide.
Use only in well-ventilated areas. Valve protection caps must remain in place unless container is secured with
valve outlet piped to use point. Do not drag, slide or roll cylinders. Use a suitable hand truck for cylinder
movement. Use a pressure reducing regulator when connecting cylinder to lower pressure (<150 psig) piping or
systems. Do not heat cylinder by any means to increase rate of product from the cylinder. Use a check valve or
trap in the discharge line to prevent Hazardous back flow into cylinder.
Protect cylinders from physical damage. Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas of non-combustible
construction away from heavily trafficked areas and emergency exits. Do not allow the temperature where
cylinders are stored to exceed 130oF (54oC). Cylinders should be stored upright and firmly secured to prevent
falling or being knocked over. Full & empty cylinders should be segregated. Use a "first in-first out" inventory
system to prevent full cylinders from being stored for excessive periods of time.
For additional storage recommendations, consult Compressed Gas Association's Pamphlets P-1 and G-3.
8. Exposure Controls, Personal Protection
EXPOSURE LIMITS1:
PEL-OSHA2 TLV-ACGIH3
INGREDIENT % VOLUME LD50 or LC50
Route/Species
Sulfur Dioxide < 100.0 5 ppm TWA 2 ppm TWA LC50
FORMULA: SO2 5 ppm STEL 2520 ppm/1H
CAS: 7446-09-5 (Rat)
RTECS #: WS 4550000
1
Refer to individual state of provincial regulations, as applicable, for limits which may be more stringent than
those listed here.
2
As stated in 29 CFR 1910, Subpart Z (revised July 1, 1993)
3
As stated in the ACGIH 1994-1995 Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents.
IDLH: 100 ppm
ENGINEERING CONTROLS:
Hood with forced ventilation. Use local ventilation to prevent accumulation above the exposure limit.
EYE/FACE PROTECTION:
Full-face piece respirator or gas-tight goggles recommended.
SKIN PROTECTION:
Plastic or rubber.
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION:
Positive pressure air line with full-face mask and escape bottle or self-contained breathing apparatus should be
available for emergency use.
OTHER/GENERAL PROTECTION:
Safety shoes, safety shower, eyewash "fountain", face shield.
MSDS: G-79
Revised: 7/1/96 Page 4 of 6
PRODUCT NAME: SULFUR DIOXIDE
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
PARAMETER VALUE UNITS
Physical state (gas, liquid, solid) : Gas
Vapor pressure : 49.1 psia
Vapor density (Sulfur dioxide) (Air = 1) : 2.26
Evaporation point : Not Available
o
Boiling point : -14.0 F
o
C
: -10.0
o
Freezing point : -103.9 F
o
: -75.5 C
pH : Not Available
Specific gravity : 2.26
Oil/water partition coefficient : Not Available
Solubility (H20) : Soluble
Odor threshold : Not Available
Odor and appearance : Colorless gas with a highly irritating, pungent
odor.
10. Stability and Reactivity
STABILITY:
Stable
INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS:
Reacts violently with peroxides, chromates, bichromates, permanganates and oxygen difluoride. It also reacts
with chlorates to form chlorine, which may become explosive at elevated temperatures. Forms sulfuric acid
solutions with water.
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION:
Will not occur.
11. Toxicological Information
REPRODUCTIVE:
Experimental inhalation exposures of rats and mice at 1.5 to 32 ppm resulted in toxicity to both the male and
female reproductive systems. Effects included menstrual cycle changes and toxic effects to testes.
Developemental abnormalities were observed in newborn of exposed pregnant animals.
MUTAGENIC:
Genetic changes observed in mamalian, insect bacterial and yeast cell assay systems.
TUMORIGENIC:
Experimental data for increased incidence of tumors in the respiratory systems of mice.
OTHER:
Changes observed in the red blood cells of exposed rats. Functional changes in the respiratory systems of
exposed dogs.
12. Ecological Information
MSDS: G-79
Revised: 7/1/96 Page 5 of 6
PRODUCT NAME: SULFUR DIOXIDE
No data given.
13. Disposal Considerations
Do not attempt to dispose of residual 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 BOC Gases or authorized distributor for proper disposal.
14. Transport Information
PARAMETER United States DOT Canada TDG
Sulfur Dioxide Sulphur Dioxide
PROPER SHIPPING NAME:
2.3 2.3 (8)
HAZARD CLASS:
UN 1079 UN 1079
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:
POISON GAS, CORROSIVE POISON GAS, CORROSIVE
SHIPPING LABEL:
Additional Marking Requirement: "Inhalation Hazard"
Additional Shipping Paper Description Requirement: "Poison-Inhalation Hazard, Zone C"
15. Regulatory Information
SARA TITLE III NOTIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION
Sulfur dioxide is listed as an extremely hazardous substance (EHS) subject to state and local reporting under
Section 304 of SARA Title III (EPCRA) with a reportable quantity (RQ) of 1 pound.
The presence of sulfur dioxide in quantities in excess of the threshold planning quantity (TPQ) of 500 pounds
requires certain emergency planning activities to be conducted.
SARA TITLE III - HAZARD CLASSES:
Acute Health Hazard
Chronic Health Hazard
Sudden Release of Pressure Hazard
Reactivity Hazard
16. Other Information
Compressed gas cylinders shall not be refilled without the express written permission of the owner. Shipment of
a compressed gas cylinder which has not been filled by the owner or with his/her (written) consent is a
violation of transportation regulations.
DISCLAIMER OF EXPRESSED AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES:
Although reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of this document, we extend no warranties and make
no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein, and assume no
responsibility regarding the suitability of this information for the user's intended purposes or for the
consequences of its use. Each individual should make a determination as to the suitability of the information for
their particular purpose(s).
MSDS: G-79
Revised: 7/1/96 Page 6 of 6
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