1. CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION
PRODUCT IDENTIFIER: Nitrogen (Liquid)
GENERAL USE: Liquid nitrogen has several applications including
refrigerating and freezing of perishable foods, cooling of
concrete, preservation of biologicals, refrigeration shielding
of liquid hydrogen, helium, and neon, as well as many other
uses.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic gas,
which is liquefied at cold temperatures. Nitrogen makes up
the major portion of the atmosphere (78% by volume).
MANUFACTURER: EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Dakota Gasification Company Dakota Gasification (701) 873-6600
420 County Road 26 CHEMTREC (800) 424-9300
Beulah, North Dakota 58523-9400
(701) 873-6677
2. COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENTS WT. % CAS Registry #
Nitrogen 100 7727-37-9
OSHA HAZARDOUS COMPONENTS (29 CFR 1910.1200):
EXPOSURE LIMITS 8 hrs. TWA (ppm)
OSHA PEL ACGIH TLV
Nitrogen Not Established Not Established
(a simple asphyxiant) (a simple asphyxiant)
Product Name: Nitrogen Page 1 of 9
Revision Date: 08/04/2006
3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION / EMERGENCY OVERVIEW:
Routes of Entry: Inhalation
Effects of Acute Exposure: Nitrogen is nontoxic and largely inert. It can act as a simple
asphyxiant by diluting the concentration of oxygen in air below levels necessary to support
life. Inhalation of nitrogen in excessive concentrations can result in dizziness, nausea,
vomiting, loss of consciousness, and death. Death may result from errors in judgment,
confusion, or loss of consciousness, which prevents self-rescue. At low oxygen
concentrations, unconsciousness and death may occur in seconds without warning.
Effects of Chronic Exposure: Health impairment from long-term exposure to nitrogen can
occur due to lack of oxygen.
Odor character/threshold: Odorless.
POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS:
EYE CONTACT: Vapors have no serious irritating effect on the eyes. Liquid nitrogen
splashed in the eyes may cause severe tissue damage due to freezing.
SKIN CONTACT: Splashes of liquid or sprays of gas, may freeze the skin. Inhalation of
vapors is likely. Avoid contact of the skin with liquid nitrogen or its cold
boil-off gas.
INHALATION: Inhalation of severe exposure to nitrogen gas will result in rapid,
occasionally irregular, breathing; headache; fatigue; mental confusion;
nausea and vomiting; giddiness and poor judgement; exhaustion; loss
of consciousness; convulsions; death.
4. FIRST AID MEASURES
EYES: Freezing may occur upon contact. Remove the victim from the source of
contamination and take him to the nearest eyewash, shower, or other
source of clean water. Open the eyelid(s) wide to let the chemical
evaporate. Gently rinse the affected eye(s) with clean, cool water for at
least 15 minutes. Have the victim lie or sit down and tilt his head back.
Hold the eyelid(s) open and pour water slowly over the eyeball(s) at the
inner corners, letting the water run out of the outer corners. The victim
may be in great pain and want to keep his eyes closed but you must rinse
the chemical out of his eye(s) in order to prevent permanent damage. Ask
the victim to look up, down and side to side as you rinse in order to better
reach all parts of the eye(s). Seek medical attention.
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Revision Date: 08/04/2006
SKIN: In case of frostbite from exposure to liquid nitrogen, the frostbitten part
should be placed in warm water of approximately 105oF. If warm water is
not available, or it is impractical to use, wrap the affected part gently in
blankets. Let circulation re-establish itself naturally. Remove any clothing,
which may restrict circulation to the frozen area. Do not rub frozen parts,
as tissue damage may result. If there has been massive exposure so that
the general body temperature is depressed, prompt medical attention is
critical. Frozen tissues are painless and appear waxy with a possible
yellow color. They will become swollen, painful, and prone to infection
when thawed. Alcoholic beverages and smoking decrease blood flow to
the frozen tissues and should not be used.
INHALATION: Remove the victim from the contaminated area while protecting yourself
from exposure by wearing an air supplied respirator. Have someone
contact medical assistance immediately. If the victim has stopped
breathing: Open his airway, loosen his collar and belt, and administer
artificial respiration. Administer oxygen through the bag-valve mask.
Check the pulse. If the heart stops, administer CPR. If the heartbeat is
very slow, irregular or weak, be prepared to administer CPR. Continue
your efforts until help arrives or the victim starts to breathe on his own. Do
not leave him alone. Keep the victim warm and quiet. If the victim is
unconscious but breathing: Lay him on his back. If he is vomiting, turn
his head to the side. Clear and open his airway and loosen tight clothing.
If available, give him oxygen to breathe. Keep him warm and quiet.
Check his pulse periodically and be ready to administer CPR. Do not give
an unconscious person anything to drink. If the victim is conscious but
coughing or short of breath: Lay him down, cover him with a blanket
and keep him quiet. Loosen tight clothing. Give him oxygen to breathe
until help arrives. Check his pulse periodically. Do not leave him
unattended. If the victim is conscious and not coughing or short of
breath: Lay him down, cover him with a blanket and keep him quiet.
Loosen tight clothing. Check his pulse periodically. Do not leave him
unattended.
5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
FLASH POINT: Nonflammable gas.
AUTO-IGNITION TEMPERATURE: Does not apply.
UPPER EXPLOSIVE / FIRE LIMITS: Nonflammable gas. Not applicable.
LOWER EXPLOSIVE / FIRE LIMITS: Nonflammable gas. Not applicable.
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA: Nitrogen cannot catch fire. Use media appropriate
for surrounding fire.
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Revision Date: 08/04/2006
SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING Extinguish fire using agent suitable for surrounding
PROCEDURES: fire. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed
containers cool. Do not discharge water sprays
into liquid nitrogen. The indiscriminate use of
water on surfaces of cryogenic containers or piping
can lead to heavy icing and possible blockage of
pressure relief devices. Valve stems may be iced
over so that they cannot be operated.
6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
SPILL OR LEAK Evacuate spill or leak area, allow concentrated gas to dissipate, use
PROCEDURES: ventilation to dissipate the nitrogen into the atmosphere. Use
appropriate personal protective equipment. Avoid contact with skin.
Using controlled water spray to accelerate evaporation should be done
only if evaporation rate can be controlled.
WASTE Nitrogen may be vented slowly to a well-ventilated outdoor location
DISPOSAL remote from personnel work areas and building air intakes. Liquid
METHOD: nitrogen may be allowed to evaporate in a well-ventilated outdoor
location, which is remote from work areas and building air intakes.
Test for sufficient oxygen levels in nearby confined spaces before
permitting re-entry.
7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
STORAGE Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Outside or detached
TEMPERATURE: storage is preferred.
SHELF LIFE: Indefinite.
SPECIAL May react vigorously with lithium, titanium, neodymium,
SENSITIVITY: zirconium, and many other reactive metals.
HANDLING / Gaseous nitrogen is commonly stored in high-pressure cylinders,
STORAGE tubes, or tube trailers. Liquid nitrogen is commonly stored in
PRECAUTIONS: cryogenic liquid cylinders or vacuum-insulated storage tanks. All
precautions necessary for the handling of any nonflammable gas
or cryogenic liquid must be taken. When transferring cryogenic
liquids from one container to another, the receiving container
should be cooled gradually to prevent thermal shock and to avoid
splashing. Cryogenic containers must be made from material
suitable for cryogenic temperatures. Some materials become
extremely brittle at cryogenic temperatures.
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Revision Date: 08/04/2006
8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION
Follow all precautions necessary for working
RECOMMENDED WORK / HYGIENE
with any nonflammable, nontoxic, compressed
PROCEDURES:
gas and any cryogenic liquid.
EYE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS: Safety goggles should be worn during transfer
and normal handling of cryogenic liquids. If
severe spraying or splashing may occur, a face
shield should also be worn for additional
protection. Safety glasses and face shield are
recommended if contact with pressurized gas
is possible.
HAND PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS: Insulated gloves should always be worn when
handling anything that comes in contact with
cold liquids and vapor. Gloves should be
loose. fitting so that they can be removed
quickly if liquids are spilled into them.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING When working with cryogenic liquids it is
REQUIREMENTS: recommended that clothing be well fitting, yet
easy to remove. When working with cryogenic
liquids, it is recommended that trousers be
worn outside of boots or work shoes. Trousers
are recommended without cuffs.
RESPIRATORY REQUIREMENTS: Positive pressure supplied air or self-contained
breathing apparatus.
9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
APPEARANCE: Colorless.
ODOR: Odorless.
PHYSICAL STATE: Liquid.
VAPOR DENSITY: 0.97 At temperatures which occur just after evaporation from
the liquid, the cold saturated vapor is heavier than air and
tends to fall.
-346oF (-210oC)
MELTING POINT:
-320oF (-196oC)
BOILING POINT:
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 0.81@ (-195.8oC)(liquid)
(Water=1) 1.0 (gas)
Product Name: Nitrogen Page 5 of 9
Revision Date: 08/04/2006
PERCENT VOLATILES: 0
BULK DENSITY: 6.747 lb/gal liquid at boiling point.
0.023 vol/vol at 32oF (slightly soluble in water).
SOLUBILITY IN WATER:
ATOMIC WEIGHT: 28.01
ATOMIC FORMULA: N2
CHEMICAL FAMILY: Inert Gases
10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
INSTABILITY CONDITIONS: May react vigorously with lithium, titanium, neodymium,
zirconium, and many other reactive metals.
INCOMPATIBILITIES: May react vigorously with lithium, titanium, neodymium,
zirconium, and many other reactive metals.
DECOMPOSITION: Nitrogen is non-flammable.
HAZARDOUS Will not occur.
POLYMERIZATION:
11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
ROUTES OF ENTRY: Inhalation.
EFFECTS OF Nitrogen is a simple asphyxiant. As an inert gas, it has no specific
ACUTE EXPOSURE: toxicity effect except to exclude oxygen from the lungs. The effect
of simple asphyxiant gases is proportional to the extent to which
they diminish the amount (partial pressure) of oxygen in the air that
is breathed. The oxygen may be diminished to 75% of it's normal
percentage in air before appreciable symptoms develop. This in
turn requires the presence of a simple asphyxiant in a
concentration of 33% in the mixture of air and gas. When the
simple asphyxiant reaches a concentration of 50%, marked
symptoms can be produced. A concentration of 75% is fatal in a
matter of minutes.
SYMPTOMS: The first symptoms produced by a simple asphyxiant are rapid
respirations and air hunger. Mental alertness is diminished and
muscular coordination is impaired. Later judgement becomes
faulty and all sensations are depressed. Emotional instability often
results and fatigue occurs rapidly. As the asphyxia progresses,
there may be nausea and vomiting, prostration and loss of
consciousness, and finally convulsions, deep coma and death.
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Revision Date: 08/04/2006
EYE EFFECTS: Extensive tissue damage or burns can result from exposure to
liquid nitrogen or cold nitrogen vapors.
SKIN EFFECTS: Liquid nitrogen is extremely cold and can freeze human skin upon
contact. Extensive tissue damage or burns can result from
exposure to liquid nitrogen or cold nitrogen vapors.
ACUTE INHALATION Nitrogen is a simple asphyxiant. See above.
EFFECTS:
This agent is not considered a carcinogen by NTP, IARC, or
CHRONIC EFFECTS/
OSHA.
CARCINOGENICITY:
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Nitrogen makes up the major portion of the atmosphere, 78% by volume. The extreme cold
temperature (-196oC) will freeze organisms on contact, but no long-term ecological effects
are anticipated.
13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Allow liquid nitrogen to evaporate in well-ventilated outdoor locations, which are remote
from work areas and building air intakes. Vent nitrogen gas slowly in a similar location.
Please be advised that state and local requirements for waste disposal may be more
restrictive or otherwise different from federal regulations. Consult state and local
regulations regarding the proper disposal of this material.
14. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
D.O.T. SHIPPING NAME: Nitrogen, Refrigerated liquid
D.O.T. HAZARD CLASS: 2.2
U.N. NUMBER: Liquid - UN 1977
D.O.T. PLACARD: Nonflammable Gas
D.O.T. LABEL CODE: Nonflammable Gas
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Revision Date: 08/04/2006
15. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
EPA DETERMINATIONS
CERCLA, 40 CFR 302
The material does not contain hazardous substances which, when released in
quantities equal to or exceeding the Reportable Quantity, triggers National
Response Center notification requirements.
SUPERFUND AMENDMENTS AND REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1986,
TITLE III - SECTION 302, 304, 311, 313
SECTION 302/304 - Extremely Hazardous Substances (40 CFR 355)
The material does not contain extremely hazardous substances at
greater than 1.0% concentration; however, it is possible that this
material may contain extremely hazardous substances at a lower
concentration so that a large enough spill could warrant an Emergency
Release under Section 304.
SECTION 311/312 - MSDS and Chemical Inventory Reporting
Requirements (40 CFR 370)
The material should be reported under the following EPA Hazard
categories.
Immediate (Acute Health Hazard)
Delayed (Chronic Health Hazard)
Fire
Sudden Release of Pressure
Reactive
SECTION 313 - LIST OF TOXIC CHEMICALS (40 CFR 372)
The material contains no chemicals at a level of 1.0% or greater on the
list of toxic chemicals and is not subject to toxic chemical release
reporting requirements.
TOXIC SUSTANCES CONTROL ACT (TSCA) (40 CFR 710)
The chemical ingredients in this material are in the Section 8(b)
Chemical Substance Inventory (40 CFR 710) and/or are otherwise in
compliance with TSCA.
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Revision Date: 08/04/2006
LIABILITY DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is
believed to be correct since it was obtained from sources we believe are
reliable. However no representation, guarantees or warranties of any kind are
made as to its accuracy, suitability for particular applications, hazards
connected with the use of the material, or the results to be obtained from the
use thereof. User assumes all risks and liability of any use, processing or
handling of any material, variations in methods, conditions and equipment used
to store, handle, or process the material and hazards connected with the use of
the material are solely the responsibility of the user and remain at his sole
discretion.
Compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations
remains the responsibility of the user, and the user has the responsibility to
provide a safe work place to examine all aspects of its operation and to
determine if or where precautions, in addition to those described herein, are
required.
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Revision Date: 08/04/2006
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