MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
PRODUCT NAME: CARBON MONOXIDE (0-10%) IN ARGON
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 (0-10%) IN ARGON
CHEMICAL NAME: Gas Mixture
COMMON NAMES/SYNONYMS: None
TDG (Canada) CLASSIFICATION: 2.2
WHMIS CLASSIFICATION: A, D1A, D2A
PREPARED BY: Loss Control (908)464-8100/(905)501-1700
PREPARATION DATE: 6/1/95
REVIEW DATES: 6/21/96
2. Composition, Information on Ingredients
PEL-OSHA1 TLV-ACGIH2
INGREDIENT % VOLUME LD50 or LC50
Route/Species
Argon 90-100 Not Available Not Available Simple asphyxiant
FORMULA: Ar
CAS: 7440-37-1
RTECS #: CF2300000
Carbon Monoxide 0-10 50 ppm 25 ppm LC50: 1807
FORMULA: CO ppm/4H
CAS: 630-08-0 inhalation/rat
RTECS #: FG3500000
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
This product is a colorless, odorless gas. Gas may accumulate in confined or poorly ventilated areas,
causing unconsciousness or death. Carbon monoxide binds to blood hemoglobin and greatly
reduces the red blood cell鈥檚 ability to provide oxygen to the body. Use only with adequate ventilation.
Contents under pressure. Avoid heat and flames. Protect containers from physical damage.
MSDS: G-276
Revised: 6/21/96 Page 1 of 6
PRODUCT NAME: CARBON MONOXIDE (0-10%) IN ARGON
ROUTE OF ENTRY:
Skin Contact Skin Absorption Eye Contact Inhalation Ingestion
No No No Yes No
HEALTH EFFECTS:
Exposure Limits Irritant Sensitization
Yes No No
Teratogen Reproductive Hazard Mutagen
Yes Yes Yes
Synergistic Effects
None known
Carcinogenicity: -- NTP: No IARC: No OSHA: No
EYE EFFECTS:
Adverse effects are not anticipated.
SKIN EFFECTS:
Adverse effects are not anticipated.
INGESTION EFFECTS:
Accidental ingestion is unlikely as at ambient temperature and pressure (STP) this product is a gas.
INHALATION EFFECTS:
Argon acts as a simple asphyxiant displacing the oxygen content in the air necessary for life. Carbon monoxide
is a chemical asphyxiant. Asphyxiation can occur in the presence of sufficient atmospheric oxygen. Symptoms
of carbon monoxide poisoning may begin without warning as carbon monoxide is tasteless, odorless, and non-
irritating. Dependent on levels and duration of exposure, symptoms of overexposure may include all or none of
the following: shortness of breath, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, tingling, irritability, impaired
judgment and defective memory, fatigue, emotional instability, confusion, pallor or cyanosis, coma and death
from respiratory arrest.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS AGGRAVATED BY EXPOSURE: Men with chronic bronchitis or asthma,
persons with anemia, and the fetus are more susceptible to the effects of carbon monoxide. Recovery from
carbon monoxide poisoning is adversely affected by alcoholism, obesity and chronic heart disease.
NFPA HAZARD CODES HMIS HAZARD CODES RATINGS SYSTEM
(As carbon monoxide)
Health: 2 Health: 2 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
EYES:
Flush eyes with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. If irritation occurs or persists, seek medical
attention.
SKIN:
Remove contaminated clothing and flush affected area with water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.
INGESTION:
MSDS: G-276
Revised: 6/21/96 Page 2 of 6
PRODUCT NAME: CARBON MONOXIDE (0-10%) IN ARGON
Product is a gas.
INHALATION:
PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION IS MANDATORY IN ALL CASES OF OVEREXPOSURE. RESCUE
PERSONNEL SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS.
Conscious persons should be assisted to an uncontaminated area and inhale fresh air. Quick removal from the
contaminated area is most important. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen. If breathing has stopped, give
artificial respiration. Seek immediate medical attention. Physician should be advised that victim may have
carbon monoxide poisoning.
5. Fire Fighting Measures
Conditions of Flammability: Not flammable
Flash point: Method: Autoignition
None Not Applicable Temperature: None
LEL(%): None (12.5 for carbon monoxide) UEL(%): None (74 for carbon monoxide)
Hazardous combustion products: CO and CO2
Sensitivity to mechanical shock: None
Sensitivity to static discharge: None
FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS:
The majority of this product constitutes a nonflammable, inert gas. Containers may explode when exposed to
heat or flames. Carbon monoxide is a flammable gas. The concentration of carbon monoxide in this mixture is
below the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) for this substance.
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA:
Water spray to keep cylinders cool. Extinguishing agent appropriate for the combustible material.
FIRE FIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS:
Continue to cool heat or flame exposed 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
Evacuate all personnel from affected area. Use appropriate protective equipment including respiratory
protection for high or unknown concentrations. Personnel should not re-enter hazard area until carbon
monoxide is dispersed and adequate atmospheric oxygen is re-established. If leak is in user鈥檚 equipment, be
certain to purge piping with 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.
7. Handling and Storage
Electrical classification:
Non-hazardous
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.
MSDS: G-276
Revised: 6/21/96 Page 3 of 6
PRODUCT NAME: CARBON MONOXIDE (0-10%) IN ARGON
Valve protection caps must remain in place unless container is secured with valve 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 system.
Protect cylinders from physical damage. Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heavily trafficked
areas and emergency exits. Do not allow the temperature where cylinders are stored to exceed 130oF (54oC).
Cylinders should be stored upright and firmly secured to prevent falling or being knocked over. Full and empty
cylinders should be segregated. Use a "first in-first out" inventory system to prevent full cylinders being stored
for excessive periods of time.
For additional storage recommendations, consult Compressed Gas Association鈥檚 Pamphlets P-1, and P-9.
Never carry a compressed gas cylinder or a container of a gas in cryogenic liquid form in an enclosed space such
as a car trunk, van or station wagon. A leak can result in a fire, explosion, asphyxiation or a toxic exposure.
8. Exposure Controls, Personal Protection
EXPOSURE LIMITS1:
PEL-OSHA2 TLV-ACGIH3
INGREDIENT % VOLUME LD50 or LC50
Route/Species
Argon 90-100 Not Available Not Available Simple asphyxiant
FORMULA: Ar
CAS: 7440-37-1
RTECS #: CF2300000
Carbon Monoxide 0-10 50 ppm 25 ppm LC50: 1807
FORMULA: CO ppm/4H
CAS: 630-08-0 inhalation/rat
RTECS #: FG3500000
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:
Use local exhaust ventilation as necessary to control air contaminants and maintain atmospheric oxygen levels
above 19.5%.
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: Under normal working conditions, none required. When high or unknown
concentrations may be present a NIOSH/MSHA approved full-facepiece SCBA operated in positive pressure
mode should be worn.
EYE/FACE PROTECTION:
Safety glasses are recommended.
OTHER/GENERAL PROTECTION:
Safety shoes
MSDS: G-276
Revised: 6/21/96 Page 4 of 6
PRODUCT NAME: CARBON MONOXIDE (0-10%) IN ARGON
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
PARAMETER VALUE UNITS
Physical state (gas, liquid, solid) : Gas
Vapor pressure : Above critical temp.
: 1.784 g/L @ 0 掳C
Vapor density (Air = 1) (Argon)
Evaporation point : Not Available
: -185.7 oC
Boiling point (Argon)
Freezing point: : Not Available
pH : Not Available
Specific gravity at STP : Not Available
Oil/water partition coefficient : Not Available
Solubility (H20) (Argon)
: 3.36 mL/100 g @ 20掳C
Odor threshold : Odorless
Odor and appearance : Colorless gas
10. Stability and Reactivity
STABILITY:
Stable
INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS: Carbon monoxide is incompatible with strong oxidizers, bromine
trifluoride, chlorine trifluoride, and lithium.
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS:
Thermal decomposition will produce toxic CO and CO2.
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION:
Will not occur.
11. Toxicological Information
INHALATION: The affinity of hemoglobin for carbon monoxide is approximately 200-300 times greater than
its affinity for oxygen.
Humans who inhaled 600 mg/m3 of carbon monoxide for 10 minutes complained of headache.
During convalescence following acute exposure to carbon monoxide, bronchopneumonia may develop from
aspiration of saliva or vomitus and myocardial infarction may appear up to one week following exposure. signs
of nerve or brain damage may appear up to three weeks following acute exposure with permanent neuropathies
and various motor and mental defects.
OTHER: Evidence suggests that long-term exposure to carbon monoxide may adversely affect the fetus due to
the presence of elevated levels of carboxyhemoglobin and decreased oxygen content in the blood. Infants born
to women who have survived acute carbon monoxide exposure while pregnant often display neurological
sequelae and gross damage to the brain may be present. Low levels of carboxyhemoglobin in the fetus of
women smokers may reduce the infant鈥檚 mental abilities.
12. Ecological Information
MSDS: G-276
Revised: 6/21/96 Page 5 of 6
PRODUCT NAME: CARBON MONOXIDE (0-10%) IN ARGON
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 O3 depletion.
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:
(Carbon monoxide, Argon) (Carbon monoxide, Argon)
2.2 2.2
HAZARD CLASS:
1956 1956
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:
NONFLAMMABLE GAS NONFLAMMABLE GAS
SHIPPING LABEL:
15. Regulatory Information
SARA TITLE III NOTIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION
SARA TITLE III - HAZARD CLASSES:
Sudden Release of Pressure Hazard
Acute Health Hazard
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-276
Revised: 6/21/96 Page 6 of 6
|