MATERIAL
Linde Gas LLC (216) 642-6600
Linde Gas LLC
AGxAs GAS, INC. (216) 642-6600
xs SAFETY
P.O. Box 94737
P.O. Box 94737 WOODS BLVD
6055 ROCKSIDE DATA SHEET
Cleveland, Ohio 44101
Cleveland,94737 44101
P.O. BOX Ohio
www.us.lindegas.com
www.us.lindegas.com
CLEVELAND, OH 44101-4737 No. 188
PRODUCT NAME CAS #
7440-59-7
Liquid Helium
DOT I.D. No.:
UN 1963
TRADE NAME AND SYNONYMS
Liquid Helium
DOT Hazard Class:
Division 2.2
CHEMICAL NAME AND SYNONYMS
Formula
Liquefied He
Liquid or Liquefied Helium
ISSUE DATES AND REVISIONS Chemical Family:
Cryogenic Inert
February 2003
SEE NOTE ON PAGE 4
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
TIME WEIGHTED AVERAGE EXPOSURE LIMIT
Simple asphyxiant (ACGIH 2003). OSHA 2001 - No listing. Oxygen levels should be maintained at greater than 18
molar percent at normal atmospheric pressure which is equivalent to a partial pressure (pO 2>135 torr).
SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE
Effects of exposure to high concentrations so as to displace the oxygen in the air necessary for life are headache,
dizziness, labored breathing and eventual unconsciousness. Breathing mixtures of helium with adequate oxygen to
support life modifies the voice sound so that it is higher 鈥減itched鈥?. Contact with the cryogenic liquid or cold piping
containing the liquid can cause tissue freezing or frostbite on dermal contact or if splashed into the eyes. WARNING:
Hazards are associated with inhaling helium to alter the voice sound. DO NOT ALLOW THIS PRACTICE.
TOXICOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Helium is nontoxic but the liberation of a large amount in a confined area could displace the amount of oxygen in the air
necessary to support life.
Helium is not listed by IARC, NTP or OSHA as a carcinogen or potential carcinogen.
Persons in ill health where such illness would be aggravated by exposure to liquid or gaseous helium should not be
allowed to work with or handle this product.
Frostbite effects are a change in color of the skin to gray or white possibly followed by blistering.
RECOMMENDED FIRST AID TREATMENT
PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION IS MANDATORY IN ALL CASES OF OVEREXPOSURE TO HELIUM. RESCUE
PERSONNEL SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS.
Inhalation: Conscious persons should be assisted to an uncontaminated area and inhale fresh air. Quick removal from
the contaminated area is most important. Unconscious persons should be moved to an uncontaminated area, given
assisted respiration and supplemental oxygen. Further treatment should be symptomatic and supportive.
For dermal contact or frostbite, flush affected areas with lukewarm water. DO NOT USE HOT WATER. A physician
should see the patient promptly if the cryogenic 鈥渂urn鈥? has resulted in blistering of the dermal surface or deep tissue
freezing.
Information contained in this material safety data sheet is offered without charge for use by technically qualified personnel at their discretion and
risk. All statements, technical information and recommendations contained herein are based on tests and data which we believe to be reliable, but
the accuracy or completeness thereof is not guaranteed and no warranty of any kind is made with respect thereto. This information is not intended
as a license to operate under or a recommendation to practice or infringe any patent of this Company or others covering any process, composition
of matter or use.
Since the Company shall have no control of the use of the product described herein, the Company assumes no liability for loss or damage incurred
from the proper or improper use of such product.
Liquid Helium
HAZARDOUS MIXTURES OF OTHER LIQUIDS, SOLIDS, OR GASES
NONE
PHYSICAL DATA
BOILING POINT LIQUID DENSITY AT BOILING POINT
7.8 lb/ft3 (125 kg/m3)
-452.1潞F (268.9潞C)
@ 70潞F (21.1潞C) Above the critical temp. of
VAPOR PRESSURE GAS DENSITY AT 70潞F. 1 atm
.0103 lb/ft3 (.1650 kg/m3)
450.3潞F (268潞C)
SOLUBILITY IN WATER FREEZING POINT
Negligible point = -465.5潞F (-271.3潞C)
EVAPORATION RATE SPECIFIC GRAVITY (AIR=1)
Typical cryogenic container rate. @ 70潞F (21.1潞C) = .138
Colorless, odorless gas. Liquid is clear.
APPEARANCE AND ODOR
FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA
AUTO IGNITION TEMPERATURE
FLASH POINT (Method used) FLAMMABLE LIMITS % BY VOLUME
N/A N/A N/A N/A
LEL UEL
ELECTRICAL CLASSIFICATION
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA
Nonhazardous
Nonflammable, inert
SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES
If containers are involved in a fire, safely relocate or keep cool with water spray.
UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS
NONE
REACTIVITY DATA
STABILITY CONDITIONS TO AVOID
Unstable NONE
Stable X
INCOMPATIBILITY (Materials to avoid) NONE
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS NONE
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION CONDITIONS TO AVOID
May Occur
NONE
Will Not Occur X
SPILL OR LEAK PROCEDURES
STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN CASE MATERIAL IS RELEASED OR SPILLED
See note on Page 4.
WASTE DISPOSAL METHOD
See note on Page 4.
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Liquid Helium
SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION
Positive pressure air line with mask or self-contained breathing apparatus should be available for
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
(Specify type)
emergency use.
VENTILATION LOCAL EXHAUST SPECIAL
N/A
See Page 4
See Local Exhaust on Page 4. MECHANICAL (Gen.) OTHER
N/A
N/A
PROTECTIVE GLOVES
Loose fitting, insulated
EYE PROTECTION
Safety goggles or glasses plus a face shield.
OTHER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Safety shoes
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS*
SPECIAL LABELING INFORMATION
I.D. No.: UN 1963
DOT Shipping Name: Helium, Refrigerated Liquid (cryogenic liquid)
DOT Hazard Class: Division 2.2
DOT Shipping Label: Nonflammable Gas
SPECIAL HANDLING RECOMMENDATIONS
See Note on Page 4 re Spill or Leak Procedures.
For additional handling recommendations, consult Compressed Gas Association鈥檚 Pamphlets P-9, P-12, P-14, and
Safety Bulletin SB-2.
SPECIAL STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS
See Note on Page 4 re Spill or Leak Procedures.
For additional storage recommendations, consult Compressed Gas Association鈥檚 Pamphlets P-9, P-12, P-14 and
Safety Bulletin SB-2.
SPECIAL PACKAGING RECOMMENDATIONS
Liquid helium cannot be handled in carbon or low alloy steels. Eighteen-eight and 18-10 stainless steels are
acceptable as are copper and its alloys, nickel and its alloys, brass, bronze, silicon alloys, Monel庐 and Inconel庐.
Also see Compressed Gas Association鈥檚 Pamphlets P-9, P-12, P-14 and Safety Bulletin SB-2.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS OR PRECAUTIONS
Liquefied gas cylinders should not be refilled except by qualified producers of these products. Shipments of a
compressed gas container which has not been filled by the owner or with his (written) consent is a violation of Federal
Law (49CFR). Always secure cylinders in an upright position before transporting them. NEVER transport cylinders in
trunks of vehicles, enclosed vans, truck cabs or passenger compartments. Transport cylinders in open flatbed or in
open pick-up type vehicles. Reporting under SARA, Title III, Section 313 not required.
*Various Government Agencies (i.e. Department of Transportation, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Food and Drug Administration
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and others) may have specific regulations concerning the transportation, handling, storage or use of this product which will not be reflected in this
data sheet. The customer should review these regulations to ensure that he is in full compliance.
Liquid Helium
SPECIAL NOTES:
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
Note: Except where specified, the health hazard data and most of the other data in this Material Safety Data
Sheet are for gaseous helium. One volume of liquid helium at its boiling point and atmospheric pressure
will vaporize into approximately 755 volumes of gaseous helium at 70潞F (21.1潞C) and 1 atmosphere.
NOTE RE SPILL OR LEAK PROCEDURES:
Liquid helium is delivered to a customer into stationary vacuum-jacketed vessels at the customer鈥檚 location or in a
portable vacuum-jacketed 鈥渓iquid鈥? containers.
Stationary customer-site vessels should be operated in accordance with the manufacturer鈥檚 and your supplier鈥檚
instructions. Do not attempt to repair, adjust or in any other way modify the operation of these vessels. If there is a
malfunction or other type of professional operation problem with the vessel, contact the closest supplier location
immediately.
Liquid helium cylinders should be used only in well-ventilated areas and in accordance with the manufacturer鈥檚 and your
supplier鈥檚 instructions. These cylinders must always be kept in an upright position. Specialized hand trucks are needed
for their movement. A 鈥渇irst-in - first out鈥? inventory system should be used with these cylinders.
SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION
LOCAL EXHAUST:
To prevent accumulation of high concentrations so as to reduce the oxygen level in the air to less than 18 molar percent.
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