Product: Nitrogen Form No.: P-4631-E Date: October 1997
Praxair鈩? Material Safety Data Sheet
1. Chemical Product and Company Identification
Nitrogen, Compressed Nitrogen
Product Name: Trade Name:
(MSDS No. P-4631-E)
Nitrogen Not applicable
Chemical Name: Synonyms:
N2 Considered as an inert gas.
Formula: Chemical
Family:
Telephone: Emergencies: Company Name: Praxair, Inc.
1-800-645-4633*
1-800-424-9300* 39 Old Ridgebury Road
CHEMTREC
Routine: 1-800-PRAXAIR Danbury CT 06810-5113
*Call emergency numbers 24 hours a day only for spills, leaks, fire, exposure, or accidents involving
this product. For routine information contact your supplier, Praxair sales representative, or call
1-800-PRAXAIR (1-800-772-9247).
2. Composition / Information on Ingredients
For custom mixtures of this product request a Material Safety Data Sheet for each component. See
Section 16 for important information about mixtures.
INGREDIENT NAME CAS NUMBER PERCENTAGE OSHA PEL ACGIH TLV-TWA
Nitrogen 7727-37-9 >99% None currently Simple asphyxiant
established
*The symbol ">" means "greater than."
3. Hazards Identification
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
CAUTION! High-pressure gas.
Can cause rapid suffocation.
May cause dizziness and drowsiness.
Self-contained breathing apparatus may
be required by rescue workers.
Odor: None
THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUE: Simple asphyxiant (ACGIH 1997)
Page 1 of 8
Copyright 1980, 1983, 1985, 1992, 1997 Praxair Technology, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Product: Nitrogen Form No.: P-4631-E Date: October 1997
EFFECTS OF A SINGLE (ACUTE) OVEREXPOSURE:
INHALATION鈥揂sphyxiant. Effects are due to lack of oxygen. Moderate concentrations may cause
headache, drowsiness, dizziness, excitation, excess salivation, vomiting, and unconsciousness. Lack of
oxygen can kill.
SKIN CONTACT鈥揘o harm expected.
SWALLOWING鈥揟his product is a gas at normal temperature and pressure.
EYE CONTACT鈥揘o harm expected.
EFFECTS OF REPEATED (CHRONIC) OVEREXPOSURE: No harm expected.
OTHER EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE: Nitrogen is an asphyxiant. Lack of oxygen can kill.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS AGGRAVATED BY OVEREXPOSURE: The toxicology and the physical
and chemical properties of nitrogen suggest that overexposure is unlikely to aggravate existing medical
conditions.
SIGNIFICANT LABORATORY DATA WITH POSSIBLE RELEVANCE TO HUMAN HEALTH
HAZARD EVALUATION: None known.
CARCINOGENICITY: Nitrogen is not listed by NTP, OSHA, or IARC.
4. First Aid Measures
INHALATION: Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult,
qualified personnel may give oxygen. Call a physician.
SKIN CONTACT: Flush with water.
SWALLOWING: This product is a gas at normal temperature and pressure.
EYE CONTACT: Flush eyes with warm water. Hold the eyelids open and away from the eyeballs to
ensure that all surfaces are flushed thoroughly.
NOTES TO PHYSICIAN: There is no specific antidote. This product is nearly inert. Treatment of over-
exposure should be directed at the control of symptoms and the clinical condition. Refer to section 16.
5. Fire Fighting Measures
Not applicable Not applicable
FLASH POINT AUTOIGNITION
(test method) TEMPERATURE
Not applicable Not applicable
FLAMMABLE LIMITS LOWER UPPER
IN AIR, % by volume
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA: Nitrogen cannot catch fire. Use media appropriate for surrounding fire.
SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES:
CAUTION! High-pressure gas. Evacuate all personnel from danger area. Immediately deluge cylinders
with water from maximum distance until cool, then move them away from fire area if without risk.
Self-contained breathing apparatus may be required by rescue workers. On-site fire brigades must comply
with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.156.
UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS: Nitrogen cannot catch fire. Heat of fire can build
pressure in cylinder and cause it to rupture. No part of cylinder should be subjected to a temperature
Page 2 of 8
Product: Nitrogen Form No.: P-4631-E Date: October 1997
higher than 125掳F (52掳C). Nitrogen cylinders are equipped with a pressure relief device. (Exceptions may
exist where authorized by DOT.)
HAZARDOUS COMBUSTION PRODUCTS: None known.
6. Accidental Release Measures
STEPS TO BE TAKEN IF MATERIAL IS RELEASED OR SPILLED:
CAUTION! High-pressure gas. Immediately evacuate all personnel from danger area. Nitrogen is an
asphyxiant. Lack of oxygen can kill. Use self-contained breathing apparatus where needed. Shut off flow if
you can do so without risk. Ventilate area or move cylinder to a well-ventilated area. Test for sufficient
oxygen, especially in confined spaces, before allowing reentry.
WASTE DISPOSAL METHOD: Prevent waste from contaminating the surrounding environment. Keep
personnel away. Discard any product, residue, disposable container or liner in an environmentally
acceptable manner, in full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. If necessary, call your local
supplier for assistance.
7. Handling and Storage
PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN STORAGE: Store and use with adequate ventilation. Firmly
secure cylinders upright to keep them from falling or being knocked over. Screw valve protection cap firmly
in place by hand. Store only where temperature will not exceed 125掳F (52掳C). Store full and empty
cylinders separately. Use a first-in, first-out inventory system to prevent storing full cylinders for long
periods.
PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN HANDLING: Protect cylinders from damage. Use a suitable hand
truck to move cylinders; do not drag, roll, slide, or drop. Never attempt to lift a cylinder by its cap; the cap
is intended solely to protect the valve. Never insert an object (e.g., wrench, screwdriver, pry bar) into cap
openings; doing so may damage the valve and cause a leak. Use an adjustable strap wrench to remove
over-tight or rusted caps. Open valve slowly. If valve is hard to open, discontinue use and contact your
supplier. For other precautions in using nitrogen, see section 16.
For additional information on storage and handling, refer to Compressed Gas Association (CGA) pamphlet
P-1, "Safe Handling of Compressed Gases in Containers," available from the CGA. Refer to section 16 for
the address and phone number along with a list of other available publications.
8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
VENTILATION/ENGINEERING CONTROLS:
LOCAL EXHAUST鈥揢se a local exhaust system, if necessary, to prevent oxygen deficiency.
MECHANICAL (general)鈥揋eneral exhaust ventilation may be acceptable if it can maintain an
adequate supply of air.
SPECIAL鈥揘one
OTHER鈥揘one
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: None required under normal use. However, air supplied respirators
are required while working in confined spaces with this product. Respiratory protection must conform to
OSHA rules as specified in 29 CFR 1910.134.
SKIN PROTECTION: Wear work gloves when handling cylinders.
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Product: Nitrogen Form No.: P-4631-E Date: October 1997
EYE PROTECTION: Wear safety glasses when handling cylinders.
OTHER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: Metatarsal shoes for cylinder handling. Select in accordance
with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 and 1910.133. Regardless of protective equipment, never touch live
electrical parts.
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
MOLECULAR WEIGHT: 28.01 EXPANSION RATIO: Not applicable
SPECIFIC GRAVITY (air=1): At 70掳F SOLUBILITY IN WATER: % by wt:, vol/vol at
(21.1掳C) and 1 atm: 0.967 32掳F (0掳C): 0.023
GAS DENSITY: At 70掳F (21.1掳C) and 1 atm: VAPOR PRESSURE: AT 68掳F (20掳C): Not
0.072 lbs/ft3 (1.153 kg/m3) applicable
PERCENT VOLATILES BY VOLUME: 100 EVAPORATION RATE (Butyl Acetate=1):
Gas, not applicable
BOILING POINT (1 atm): -320.4掳F (-195.8掳C) pH: Not applicable
MELTING POINT (1 atm): -345.8掳F (-209.9掳C)
APPEARANCE, ODOR, AND STATE: Colorless, odorless, tasteless gas at normal temp-
erature and pressure.
10. Stability and Reactivity
STABILITY: Unstable Stable X
INCOMPATIBILITY (materials to avoid): None currently known. Nitrogen is chemically inert.
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS: None
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION: May Occur Will Not Occur X
CONDITIONS TO AVOID: Under certain conditions, nitrogen can react violently with lithium,
neodymium, titanium, and magnesium to form nitrides. At high temperature it can also combine with
oxygen and hydrogen.
11. Toxicological Information
Nitrogen is a simple asphyxiant.
12. Ecological Information
No adverse ecological effects expected. Nitrogen does not contain any Class I or Class II ozone-depleting
chemicals. Nitrogen is not listed as a marine pollutant by DOT.
13. Disposal Considerations
WASTE DISPOSAL METHOD: Do not attempt to dispose of residual or unused quantities. Return
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Product: Nitrogen Form No.: P-4631-E Date: October 1997
cylinder to supplier. For emergency disposal, secure cylinder in a well-ventilated area or outdoors, then
slowly discharge gas to the atmosphere.
14. Transport Information
DOT/IMO SHIPPING NAME: Nitrogen, HAZARD CLASS: 2.2
compressed
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: UN 1066 PRODUCT RQ: Not applicable
SHIPPING LABEL(s): NONFLAMMABLE PLACARD (When required): NONFLAMMABLE
GAS GAS
SPECIAL SHIPPING INFORMATION: Cylinders should be transported in a secure position, in a
well-ventilated vehicle. Cylinders transported in an enclosed, nonventilated compartment of a vehicle can
present serious safety hazards.
Shipment of compressed gas cylinders that have been filled without the owner's consent is a violation of
federal law [49 CFR 173.301(b)].
15. Regulatory Information
The following selected regulatory requirements may apply to this product. Not all such requirements are
identified. Users of this product are solely responsible for compliance with all applicable federal, state, and
local regulations.
U.S. FEDERAL REGULATIONS:
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
CERCLA: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980 (40 CFR Parts 117 and 302):
Reportable Quantity (RQ): None
SARA: Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act:
SECTIONS 302/304: Require emergency planning based on Threshold Planning Quantity
(TPQ) and release reporting based on Reportable Quantities (RQ) of extremely hazardous
substances (40 CFR Part 355):
Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ): None.
Extremely Hazardous Substances (40 CFR 355): None.
SECTIONS 311/312: Require submission of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) and
chemical inventory reporting with identification of EPA hazard categories. The hazard
categories for this products are as follows:
IMMEDIATE: No PRESSURE: Yes
DELAYED: No REACTIVITY: No
FIRE: No
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Product: Nitrogen Form No.: P-4631-E Date: October 1997
SECTION 313: Requires submission of annual reports of release of toxic chemicals that
appear in 40 CFR Part 372.
Nitrogen does not require reporting under Section 313.
40 CFR 68: Risk Management Program for Chemical Accidental Release Prevention:
Requires development and implementation of risk management programs at facilities that
manufacture, use, store, or otherwise handle regulated substances in quantities that exceed
specified thresholds.
Nitrogen is not listed as a regulated substance.
TSCA: Toxic Substances Control Act: Nitrogen is listed on the TSCA inventory.
OSHA (OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION):
29 CFR 1910.119 : Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals: Requires
facilities to develop a process safety management program based on Threshold Quantities (TQ)
of highly hazardous chemicals.
Nitrogen is not listed in Appendix A as a highly hazardous chemical.
STATE REGULATIONS:
CALIFORNIA: This product is not listed by California under the Safe Drinking Water Toxic
Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65).
PENNSYLVANIA: This product is subject to the Pennsylvania Worker and Community
Right-To-Know Act (35 P.S. Sections 7301-7320).
16. Other Information
Be sure to read and understand all labels and instructions supplied with all containers of this product.
OTHER HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS OF HANDLING, STORAGE, AND USE: High-pressure
gas. Use piping and equipment adequately designed to withstand pressures to be encountered. Never work
on a pressurized system. Gas can cause rapid suffocation due to oxygen deficiency. Store and use with
adequate ventilation. Close valve after each use; keep closed even when empty. Prevent reverse flow.
Reverse flow into cylinder may cause rupture. Use a check valve or other protective device in any line or
piping from the cylinder. Never work on a pressurized system. If there is a leak, close the cylinder valve.
Blow the system down in a safe and environmentally sound manner in compliance with all federal, state and
local laws; then repair the leak. Never ground a compressed gas cylinder or allow it to become part of an
electrical circuit.
MIXTURES: When you mix two or more gases or liquefied gases, you can create additional, unexpected
hazards. Obtain and evaluate the safety information for each component before you produce the mixture.
Consult an industrial hygienist, or other trained person when you evaluate the end product.
Page 6 of 8
Product: Nitrogen Form No.: P-4631-E Date: October 1997
HAZARD RATING SYSTEMS:
NFPA RATINGS: HMIS RATINGS:
HEALTH =0 HEALTH =0
FLAMMABILITY =0 FLAMMABILITY = 0
REACTIVITY =0 REACTIVITY =0
SPECIAL SA (CGA recommends this rating to designate Simple Asphyxiant.)
STANDARD VALVE CONNECTIONS FOR U.S. AND CANADA:
0-3000 psig CGA-580
THREADED:
3001-5500 psig CGA-680
5001-7500 psig CGA-677
0-3000 psig CGA-960 (Medical Use)
PIN-INDEXED YOKE:
ULTRA-HIGH-INTEGRITY
0-3000 psig CGA-718
CONNECTION:
Use the proper CGA connections. DO NOT USE ADAPTERS.
Ask your supplier about free Praxair safety literature as referenced on the label for this product; you may
also obtain copies by calling 1-800-PRAXAIR. Further information about nitrogen can be found in the
following pamphlets published by the Compressed Gas Association, Inc. (CGA), 1725 Jefferson Davis
Highway, Arlington, VA 22202-4102, Telephone (703) 412-0900.
G-10.1 Commodity Specification for Nitrogen
P-1 Safe Handling of Compressed Gases in Containers
P-9 Inert Gases鈥? Argon, Nitrogen, and Helium
P-14 Accident Prevention in Oxygen-Rich, Oxygen-Deficient Atmospheres
SB-2 Oxygen-Deficient Atmospheres
AV-1 Safe Handling and Storage of Compressed Gases
V-1 Compressed Gas Cylinder Valve Inlet and Outlet Connections
Handbook of Compressed Gases, Third Edition
Praxair asks users of this product to study this Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and become aware of
product hazards and safety information. To promote safe use of this product, a user should (1) notify
employees, agents and contractors of the information on this MSDS and of any other known product
hazards and safety information, (2) furnish this information to each purchaser of the product, and (3) ask
each purchaser to notify its employees and customers of the product hazards and safety information.
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Product: Nitrogen Form No.: P-4631-E Date: October 1997
The opinions expressed herein are those of qualified experts within Praxair, Inc.
We believe that the information contained herein is current as of the date of this
Material Safety Data Sheet. Since the use of this information and the conditions of
use of the product are not within the control of Praxair, Inc., it is the user's
obligation to determine the conditions of safe use of the product.
Praxair MSDSs are furnished on sale or delivery by Praxair or the independent distributors and
suppliers who package and sell our products. To obtain current Praxair MSDSs for these products,
contact your Praxair sales representative or local distributor or supplier. If you have questions regarding
Praxair MSDSs, would like the form number and date of the latest MSDS, or would like the names of
the Praxair suppliers in your area, phone or write the Praxair Call Center (Phone: 1-800-PRAXAIR;
Address: Praxair Call Center, Praxair, Inc., PO Box 44, Tonawanda, NY 14150-7891).
Praxair is a trademark of Praxair Technology, Inc.
Praxair, Inc.
39 Old Ridgebury Road
Danbury CT 06810-5113
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Printed in USA
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