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: CARBON MONOXIDE (4.33%) AND HYDROGEN CYANIDE (0.075%) IN NITROGEN
CHEMICAL NAME: Carbon monoxide (4.33%) and hydrogen cyanide (0.075%) in nitrogen
COMMON NAMES/SYNONYMS: Carbon monoxide (4.33%) and hydrogen cyanide (.0075%) in nitrogen
TDG (Canada) CLASSIFICATION: 2.2
WHMIS CLASSIFICATION: A, D1A, D2B
PREPARED BY: Loss Control (908)464-8100/(905)501-1700
PREPARATION DATE: 6/1/95
REVIEW DATES: 6/18/96
2. Composition, Information on Ingredients
PEL-OSHA1 TLV-ACGIH2
INGREDIENT % VOLUME LD50 or LC50
Route/Species
CARBON MONOXIDE 4.33% 35 ppm 25 ppm LC50: 1807 ppm/4 H
FORMULA: CO 200 ppm STEL inhalation/rat
CAS: 630-08-8
RTECS #: FG3500000
HYDROGEN CYANIDE 0.075% 10 ppm 4.7 ppm as CN LC50: 160 ppm/30 M
FORMULA: HCN 4.7 ppm STEL inhalation/rat
CAS: 74-90-8
RTECS #: MW6825000
NITROGEN 95.505% Simple Asphyxiant Simple Asphyxiant Not Available
FORMULA: N2
CAS: 7727-37-9
RTECS #: QW9700000
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
Nonflammable, colorless gas with slight bitter almond odor which may cause skin and eye irritation. This
product contains carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide which interfere with the body鈥檚 ability to use
oxygen. .
MSDS: G-211
Revised: 6/18/96 Page 1 of 7
ROUTE OF ENTRY:
Skin Contact Skin Absorption Eye Contact Inhalation Ingestion
Yes No Yes Yes Yes
HEALTH EFFECTS:
Exposure Limits Irritant Sensitization
Yes No No
Teratogen Reproductive Hazard Mutagen
Yes Yes No
Synergistic Effects
None known
Carcinogenicity: -- NTP: No IARC: No OSHA: No
EYE EFFECTS:
May cause eye irritation.
SKIN EFFECTS:
Contact with this product may cause skin irritation.
INGESTION EFFECTS:
Not anticipated; product is a gas.
INHALATION EFFECTS:
Nitrogen acts as a simple asphyxiant displacing the oxygen content in the air necessary for life. Carbon monoxide is
a chemical asphyxiant . The affinity of hemoglobin for carbon monoxide is 200-300 times greater than its affinity
for oxygen; thus hemoglobin will preferentially bind to carbon monoxide and asphyxiation can occur in the presence
of atmospheric oxygen. Dependent on levels and duration of exposure, symptoms of overexposure may include all
or none of the following: dizziness, tingling, headache, shortness of breath, emotional instability, defective memory,
fatigue, nausea and vomiting, coma and death from respiratory arrest.
Following acute exposure to carbon monoxide bronchopneumonia, brain injury with motor and mental effects, skin
lesions, vital organ damage, and central nervous system damage in infants born to women who have been acutely
exposed, have been reported.
Hydrogen cyanide interferes with cellular metabolic processes resulting in an inability to use oxygen and can cause
rapid death. Symptoms of exposure include headache, palpitation cyanosis, giddiness, hypernea, asphyxia
convulsions and death. Cyanosis may be confused with latter stages of carbon monoxide poisoning due to the bright
pink coloration of the skin which results from overexposure to both ingredients.
NFPA HAZARD CODES HMIS HAZARD CODES RATINGS SYSTEM
Health: 2 (4, as HCN) Health: 2 (4, as HCN) 0 = No Hazard
Flammability: 0 Flammability: 0 1 = Slight Hazard
Reactivity: 0 Reactivity: 0 2 = Moderate Hazard
3 = Serious Hazard
4 = Severe Hazard
4. First Aid Measures
EYE:
Flush eyes with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes holding eyelids open to ensure adequate rinsing. If
irritation persists, seek immediate medical attention.
SKIN:
MSDS: G-211
Revised: 6/18/96 Page 2 of 7
Remove contaminated clothing and flush affected area with large quantities of water. If irritation persists, seek
medical attention.
INGESTION:
Unlikely; product is a gas.
INHALATION:
PROMPT REMOVAL FROM THE CONTAMINATED AREA AND IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION IS
MANDATORY IN ALL CASES OF OVEREXPOSURE. RESCUE PERSONNEL SHOULD BE EQUIPPED
WITH SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS.
Immediately remove to fresh air. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen. If breathing has stopped, give artificial
respiration. Seek immediate medical attention. The administering of the oxygen at an elevated pressure (up to 2 to
2.5 atmospheres) has shown to be beneficial as has treatment in a hyperbaric chamber. The physician should be
informed that the patient may have inhaled toxic quantities of carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide.
5. Fire Fighting Measures
Conditions of Flammability: Not flammable
Flash point: Method: Autoignition
Gas Temperature: Not determined
LEL(%): None UEL(%): None
Hazardous combustion products: None
Sensitivity to mechanical shock: None
Sensitivity to static discharge: None
FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS:
The majority of this product constitutes a nonflammable, inert gas. This product does contain 4.33 % carbon
monoxide which is extremely flammable however the percent weight of carbon monoxide in this mixture is well
below the Lower Explosive range of 12%. Containers may rupture or explode from pressure when exposed to heat
or flames.
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA:
Any - carbon dioxide, water, dry chemical, foam or fog.
FIRE FIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS:
Continue to cool surrounding containers until well after flames are extinguished. Firefighters should wear a full-
facepiece, NIOSH/MSHA-approved self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) operated in positive pressure mode
and full turnout gear.
6. Accidental Release Measures
Isolate hazard area, evacuate personnel and deny entry to unauthorized/unprotected individuals. Extinguish all
ignition sources and ventilate closed spaces and low areas. Personnel entering area should wear appropriate
protective equipment including respiratory protection suitable for unknown concentrations. Personnel should not re-
enter hazard area until carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide have sufficiently dispersed and adequate oxygen is
re-established.
If a leak is in user鈥檚 equipment, be certain to purge piping with an 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-211
Revised: 6/18/96 Page 3 of 7
7. Handling and Storage
Electrical classification:
Nonhazardous.
Use only in well-ventilated areas. Valve protection caps must remain in place unless container is secured with valve
protection 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 (< 3000 psig) piping or
systems. Do not heat cylinder by any means to increase the discharge rate of product from the cylinder. Use a check
valve or trap in the discharge line to prevent hazardous back flow into the cylinder.
Protect cylinders from physical damage. Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area of non-combustible construction
away from heavily trafficked areas and emergency exits. Do not allow the temperature where cylinders are stored to
exceed 125 掳F. Cylinders should be stored upright and firmly secured to prevent FALLING OR BEING
KNOCKED OVER. Use a 鈥渇irst in-first out鈥? inventory system to prevent full cylinders being stored for excessive
periods of time.
Never carry a compressed gas cylinder or a container of a gas in cryogenic liquid form in an enclosed space such as a
care trunk, van or station wagon.. A leak can result in a fire, explosion, asphyxiation or a toxic exposure.
Stationary customer site vessels should operate in accordance with the manufacturer's and BOC鈥檚 instruction. 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 operations problem with the vessel, contact the closest BOC location immediately.
For additional recommendations, consult Compressed Gas Association Pamphlets G-4, P-12, P-4.
8. Exposure Controls, Personal Protection
EXPOSURE LIMITS1:
PEL-OSHA2 TLV-ACGIH3
INGREDIENT % VOLUME LD50 or LC50
Route/Species
CARBON MONOXIDE 4.33% 35 ppm 25 ppm LC50: 1807 ppm/4 H
FORMULA: CO 200 ppm STEL inhalation/rat
CAS: 630-08-8
RTECS #: FG3500000
HYDROGEN CYANIDE 0.075% 10 ppm 4.7 ppm as CN LC50: 160 ppm/30
FORMULA: HCN 4.7 ppm STEL M
CAS: 74-90-8 inhalation/rat
RTECS#: MW6825000
NITROGEN 95.505% Simple Asphyxiant Simple Asphyxiant Not Available
FORMULA: N2
CAS: 7727-37-9
RTECS #: QW9700000
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.
ENGINEERING CONTROLS:
Hood with exhaust ventilation in combination with local exhaust ventilation to control air contaminants to at or
below the respective PEL(s).
EYE/FACE PROTECTION:
Safety goggles or glasses should be worn.
SKIN PROTECTION:
MSDS: G-211
Revised: 6/18/96 Page 4 of 7
Protective gloves, long sleeves, and coveralls of suitable material should be worn.
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION:
A NIOSH/MSHA-approved full-facepiece SCBA operated in positive pressure mode and/or any supplied air
respirator with a full facepiece and operated in a positive pressure mode should be available for emergency use or
exposure. Respirators should be stored in an area not likely to be contaminated.
OTHER/GENERAL PROTECTION:
Safety shoes should be worn. Safety showers and an emergency eyewash station should be available.
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
PARAMETER VALUE UNITS
Physical state (gas, liquid, solid) : Gas
Vapor pressure : Not Available
Vapor density (Air = 1) : Not Available
Evaporation point : Not Available
o
Boiling point : Not Available F
o
C
o
Freezing point : Not Available F
o
C
pH : Not Applicable
Specific gravity : 1.105
Oil/water partition coefficient : Not Available
Solubility (H20) : Slight to negligible
Odor threshold : Not Applicable
Odor and appearance : Colorless gas/vapor; very slight, bitter-almond
odor.
10. Stability and Reactivity
STABILITY:
Stable under normal conditions.
CONDITIONS TO AVOID:
Avoid heat and flames.
INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS:
No data was available for reactivity of this product as a whole.
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS:
None known.
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION:
Will not occur.
11. Toxicological Information
MSDS: G-211
Revised: 6/18/96 Page 5 of 7
EYE:
Long-term exposure to hydrogen cyanide has occasionally caused eye irritation, conjunctivitis, and superficial
keratitis
MUTAGENIC:
Concentrations between 20 to 95% have produced genetic changes in mammalian cell assay test systems.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Evidence suggests that long-term exposure to carbon monoxide may adversely effect the fetus due to the presence of
elevated levels of carboxyhemoglobin and decreased oxygen content in the blood.
12. Ecological Information
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
A photochemical model indicated that increased CO emissions will generally suppress OH (negative coefficients)
and increase O3 (positive coefficients) but these trends may be opposed by climate change and stratospheric O 3
depletion.
The fate of cyanide in water is pH dependent and by analogy terrestrial fate is predicted to be pH dependent. At pH
9.2 volatilization will probably occur. Low concentrations of cyanide in subsurface soils would probably
biodegrade. When pH ,9.2 hydrogen cyanide is predicted to be highly mobile and if levels are high enough to be
toxic to microorganisms necessary for degradation, leaching into groundwater may occur. Both abiotic and
biodegradation are factors for the removal of hydrogen cyanide from water. Direct photolysis of hydrogen
cyanide in the atmosphere is not anticipated and reaction with photochemically generated hydroxyl radicals is slow
with an estimated reaction half -life of 344 days. Slow degradation indicates that hydrogen cyanide may be
transported long distances before being removed. Miscibility in water indicates that wet deposition is an important
fate process.
ECOTOXICITY
Hydrogen cyanide is an environmental poison however the toxicity of hydrogen cyanide in the environment is
dependent on a variety of factors including the amount released and pH.
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
Compressed gases, n.o.s. Compressed gases, n.o.s.
PROPER SHIPPING NAME:
(Nitrogen, Carbon monoxide, Hydrogen (Carbon monoxide, Hydrogen cyanide)
cyanide)
2.2 2.2
HAZARD CLASS:
UN 1956 UN 1956
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:
NONFLAMMABLE GAS NONFLAMMABLE GAS
SHIPPING LABEL:
15. Regulatory Information
MSDS: G-211
Revised: 6/18/96 Page 6 of 7
SARA TITLE III NOTIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION
SARA TITLE III - HAZARD CLASSES:
Acute Health Hazard
Chronic Health Hazard
Sudden Release of Pressure Hazard
This product contains hydrogen cyanide (CAS No.: 74-90-8) which is listed under SARA 313, SARA 304,
CERCLA with a reportable quantity of 100 pounds, CAA 112(r) with a threshold quantity of 10,000 pounds and is a
SARA 302, Extremely Hazardous Substance with a Threshold Planning Quantity of 100 pounds.
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鈥檚 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-211
Revised: 6/18/96 Page 7 of 7
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