Health Hazards Acute and Chronic:NITROGEN IS ODORLESS & NONTOXIC, BUT
MAY PRODUCE SUFFOCATION BY DILUTING CONC OF OXYGEN BELOW NECESSARY
LEVELS. AT LOW OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS (>19.5%) UNCONSCIOUSNESS AND
DEATH MAY OCCUR IN SECONDS WIT HOUT WARNING. EXTENSIVE TISSUE
DAMAGE OR BURNS CAN RESULT FROM EXPOSURE TO LIQUID NITROGEN OR COLD
NITROGEN VAPORS.
Effects of Overexposure:EXPOSURE TO OXYGEN DEFICIENT ATMOSPHERE MAY
PRODUCE DIZZINESS, NAUSEA, VOMITING, LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS, AND
DEATH. DEATH MAY RESULT FROM ERRORS IN JUDGEMENT, CONFUSION, LOSS
OF CONSCIOUSNESS WHICH PRE VENTS SELF-RESCUE. NITROGEN UNDER HIGH
PRESSURE CAN PRODUCE NARCOSIS EVEN THOUGH OXYGEN SUFFICIENT FOR
LIFE PRESENT.
Medical Cond Aggravated by Exposure:N/K NITROGEN IS A SIMPLE ASPHYXIANT
AND CONSTITUES 78% OF THE AIR WE BREATHE. NITROGEN DOES NOT SUPPORT
LIFE AND MAY PRODUCE IMMEDIATELY HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERES THRU
DISPLACEMENT OF OXYGEN.
======================= First Aid Measures =======================
First Aid:MOVE PERSONS SUFFERING FROM LACK OF OXYGEN TO AREAS W/NORMAL
ATMOSPHERES. SCBA MAY BE REQ'D TO PREVENT ASPHYXIATION OF RESCUE
WORKERS. GIVE ASSISTED RESP & OXYGEN IF NOT BREATHING. IF CRYOGENIC
LIQUID /COLD BOIL-OFF GAS CONTACTS SKIN/EYES, FLOOD/SOAK FROZEN
TISSUE W/ TEPID WATER (105-115F) DON'T USE HOT WATER. CRYOGENIC
BURNS WHICH RESULT IN BLISTERING OR DEEPER TISSUE FREEZING, PROMPLY
SEE DR.
===================== Fire Fighting Measures =====================
Unusual Fire/Explosion Hazard:CYLINDERS EXPOSED TO HIGH HEAT OR FLAME
MAY VENT RAPIDLY.
Spill Release Procedures:AVOID CONTACT OF SKIN W/LIQ NITROGEN OR COLD
BOIL-OFF GAS. FLUSH LIQ NITROGEN SPILL W/WATER TO DISPERSE.
VENTILATE ENCLOSED AREAS TO PREVENT FORMATION OF OXYGEN-DEFICIENT
ATMOSPHERE CAUSED BY EVAPORAT ION OF LIQ NITROGEN/RELEASE OF
GASEOUS NITROGEN.
====================== Handling and Storage ======================
Handling and Storage Precautions:PREVENT SKIN CONTACT W/LIQ
NITROGEN/BOIL-OFF GAS. PREVENT ENTRAPMENT OF LIQ IN CLSD SYS. USE
IN VENTED AREAS. CYLNDR UNDER HIGH PRESS, HANDLE W/CARE.
Other Precautions:USE PRESS-REDUC REGULTR & PRESS RELIEF DEVICE WHEN
CONNECTING TO LOWER PRESS PIPE SYS. SECURE CYLNDR WHEN NOT IN USE.
NEVER USE DIRECT FLAME TO CYLNDR. USE CHECK VALVE TO PREVENT BACK
FLOW INTO STORE CNTNR. DON'T DRAG/ROLL/SLIDE CYLNDR.
Respiratory Protection:PERSONNEL, INCLUDING RESCUE WORKERS, SHOULD NOT
ENTER AREAS WHERE OXYGEN OCNCENTRATION BELOW 19.5% UNLESS PROVIDED
W/SCBA OR AIRLINE RESPIRATOR.
Ventilation:IF STORED IN ENCLOSED AREA, VENT WELL. IN CASE OF POOR
NATURAL VENTILATION. FORCED VENTILATION SHOULD BE INSTALLED.
Protective Gloves:RECOMMEND USE HAND TRUCK. STORE
Eye Protection:CYLNDRS OUTSIDE & PIPE LIQ/GAS TO #
Other Protective Equipment:#USE POINT. STORE/TRANSFER IN ENCLOSED
SPACE, VENT. DON'T STORE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AREA. KEEP VALVE CAPS ON
CYLNDRS IF ##
Work Hygienic Practices:##NOT CONNECTED FOR USE. SEGREGATE FULL/EMPTY
CYLNDRS. DON'T STORE NEAR COMBUST MAT'L. REPLACE CYLNDR CAP WHEN
NOT IN###
Supplemental Safety and Health
###USE. AVOID EXPOS TO AREAS WHERE SALT/ OTHER CORROSIVES ARE PRESENT.
SEE COMPRSSD GAS ASSOC P-1 FOR MORE INFO. LIQ NITROGEN-CRYOGENIC
LIQ. AVOID USE OF CARBON STEEL (BECOMES BRITTLE AT LOW TEMPS). C
YLNDR OWNER FILL CYLNDRS (OTHERS NEED WRITTEN PERMISSION). USE
OXYGEN MONITOR EQUIP TO TEST FOR OXYGEN DEFICIENCY.
Waste Disposal Methods:ALLOW LIQ NITROGEN TO EVAPORATE IN VENTED
OUTDOOR LOCATION REMOTE FROM WORK AREAS. VENT NITROGEN GAS SLOWLY
TO VENTED OUTDOOR AREA REMOTE FROM WORK AREA. DON'T ATTEMPT TO
DISPOSE OF RESIDUAL NITROGEN IN COMPRSSD GAS CYLNDRS. RETURN TO
AIR PROD.
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.