Tel: 514-956-7503

                                                                       Fax: 514-956-7504

                                                                     Internet: www.megs.ca

                                                                    Email : support@megs.ca





Montreal               St-Laurent              Tel : 514-956-7503      Fax : 514-956-7504

Ottawa                 Nepean                  Tel : 613-226-4228      Fax : 613-226-4229

Quebec                 Quebec                  Tel : 418-834-7447      Fax : 418-834-3774

              O-XYLENE- MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET







TABLE OF CONTENTS:

                                                        24 Hour EMERGENCY

1.  Chemical Product and Company Identification

                                                        CONTACT

2.  Composition, Information on Ingredients

3.  Hazards Identification

4.  First Aid Measures

                                                        U.S- CHEMTREC 1-800-

5.  Fire Fighting Measures

                                                        424-9300

6.  Accidental Release Measures

7.  Handling and Storage

8.  Exposure Controls, Personal Protection              CANADA- CANUTEC 613-

9.  Physical and Chemical Properties

                                                        996-6666

10. Stability and Reactivity

11. Toxicological Information

12. Ecological Information

13. Disposal Considerations

14. Transport Information

15. Regulatory Information

16. Other Information









1. CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION-----------Up to Table

of Contents



Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc.



The telephone numbers listed below are

emergency numbers, please contact your local

branch for routine inquiries.



           USA                  CANADA

    959 Route 46 East        530 Watson Street

  Parsippany, New Jersey       Whitby, Ontario

     07054-0624 USA           L1N 5R9 Canada

   Phone: 973-257-1100      Phone: 905-668-3570



SUBSTANCE: O-XYLENE

SYMBOL: C6H6



TRADE NAMES/SYNONYMS:

BENZENE, 1,2-DIMETHYL-; O-DIMETHYLBENZENE; 1,2-DIMETHYLBENZENE; O-

METHYLTOLUENE; ORTHO-XYLENE; 1,2-XYLENE; O-XYLOL; RCRA U239; STCC 4909349;

UN 1307; O-5081; MAT17180; RTECS ZE2450000



CHEMICAL FAMILY: hydrocarbons, aromatic



CREATION DATE: Jan 24 1989

REVISION DATE: Mar 16 1999





2. COMPOSITION, INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS-----------Up to Table of

Contents



COMPONENT: O-XYLENE



CAS NUMBER: 95-47-6



EC NUMBER (EINECS): 202-422-2



EC INDEX NUMBER: 601-022-00-9



PERCENTAGE: 100.0





3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION-----------Up to Table of Contents



NFPA RATINGS (SCALE 0-4): HEALTH=2 FIRE=3 REACTIVITY=0



WHMIS CLASSIFICATION: BD2



EC CLASSIFICATION (ASSIGNED):

Flammable

Xn Harmful

Xi Irritant



R 10-20/21-38



EC Classification may be inconsistent with independently-researched data.









EMERGENCY OVERVIEW:



Color: colorless



Physical Form: liquid

Odor: sweet odor



Major Health Hazards: respiratory tract irritation, skin irritation, eye irritation, central nervous

system depression



Physical Hazards: Flammable liquid and vapor. Vapor may cause flash fire.



POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS:



INHALATION:

   Short Term Exposure: irritation, low body temperature, ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting,

stomach pain, headache, drowsiness, symptoms of drunkenness, visual disturbances, lung

congestion, kidney damage, liver damage, coma

   Long Term Exposure: same as effects reported in short term exposure, tingling sensation,

menstrual disorders, infertility, blood disorders, reproductive effects



SKIN CONTACT:

  Short Term Exposure: irritation, blisters

  Long Term Exposure: same as effects reported in short term exposure, rash



EYE CONTACT:

  Short Term Exposure: irritation (possibly severe), tearing

  Long Term Exposure: same as effects reported in short term exposure, blurred vision



INGESTION:

  Short Term Exposure: same as effects reported in short term inhalation, digestive disorders,

aspiration hazard

  Long Term Exposure: reproductive effects



CARCINOGEN STATUS:

OSHA: N

NTP: N

IARC: N





4. FIRST AID MEASURES-----------Up to Table of Contents



INHALATION:

When safe to enter area, remove from exposure. Use a bag valve mask or similar device to

perform artificial respiration (rescue breathing) if needed. Keep warm and at rest. Get medical

attention immediately.



SKIN CONTACT:

Remove contaminated clothing, jewelry, and shoes immediately. Wash with soap or mild

detergent and large amounts of water until no evidence of chemical remains (at least 15-20

minutes). Get medical attention, if needed.



EYE CONTACT:

Wash eyes immediately with large amounts of water or normal saline, occasionally lifting upper

and lower lids, until no evidence of chemical remains. Get medical attention immediately.



INGESTION:

If vomiting occurs, keep head lower than hips to help prevent aspiration. Get medical attention, if

needed.





5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES-----------Up to Table of Contents



FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS:

Severe fire hazard. Vapor/air mixtures are explosive. The vapor is heavier than air. Vapors or

gases may ignite at distant ignition sources and flash back. Electrostatic discharges may be

generated by flow or agitation resulting in ignition or explosion.



EXTINGUISHING MEDIA:

regular dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water, regular foam



Large fires: Use regular foam or flood with fine water spray.



FIRE FIGHTING:

Move container from fire area if it can be done without risk. Cool containers with water spray until

well after the fire is out. Stay away from the ends of tanks. For fires in cargo or storage area: Cool

containers with water from unmanned hose holder or monitor nozzles until well after fire is out. If

this is impossible then take the following precautions: Keep unnecessary people away, isolate

hazard area and deny entry. Let the fire burn. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from

venting safety device or any discoloration of tanks due to fire. For tank, rail car or tank truck:

Evacuation radius: 800 meters (1/2 mile). Water may be ineffective.



FLASH POINT:

63 F (17 C)



LOWER FLAMMABLE LIMIT:

0.9%



UPPER FLAMMABLE LIMIT:

6.7%



AUTOIGNITION:

865 F (463 C)



FLAMMABILITY CLASS (OSHA):

IB





6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES-----------Up to Table of Contents



AIR RELEASE:

Reduce vapors with water spray. Stay upwind and keep out of low areas.



SOIL RELEASE:

Trap spilled material at bottom in deep water pockets, excavated holding areas or within sand

bag barriers. Dike for later disposal. Absorb with sand or other non-combustible material. Collect

with absorbent into suitable container.



WATER RELEASE:

Cover with absorbent sheets, spill-control pads or pillows. Neutralize. Collect with absorbent into

suitable container. Absorb with activated carbon. Remove trapped material with suction hoses.

Collect spilled material using mechanical equipment.

OCCUPATIONAL RELEASE:

Avoid heat, flames, sparks and other sources of ignition. Stop leak if possible without personal

risk. Reduce vapors with water spray. Small spills: Absorb with sand or other non-combustible

material. Collect spilled material in appropriate container for disposal. Large spills: Dike for later

disposal. Remove sources of ignition. Keep unnecessary people away, isolate hazard area and

deny entry. Reportable Quantity (RQ): Notify Local Emergency Planning Committee and State

Emergency Response Commission for release greater than or equal to RQ (U.S. SARA Section

304). If release occurs in the U.S. and is reportable under CERCLA Section 103, notify the

National Response Center at (800)424-8802 (USA) or (202)426-2675 (USA).





7. HANDLING AND STORAGE-----------Up to Table of Contents

Store and handle in accordance with all current regulations and standards. Store and handle in

accordance with all current regulations and standards. Grounding and bonding required. Protect

from physical damage. Store outside or in a detached building. Store with flammable liquids.

Keep separated from incompatible substances. Keep separated from incompatible substances.

Subject to storage regulations: U.S. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106. Grounding and bonding required.

Keep separated from incompatible substances.





8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS, PERSONAL PROTECTION-----------Up to Table of

Contents



EXPOSURE LIMITS:



O-XYLENE:

XYLENE:

100 ppm (434 mg/m3) OSHA TWA

150 ppm (651 mg/m3) OSHA STEL (vacated by 58 FR 35338, June 30, 1993)

100 ppm (434 mg/m3) ACGIH TWA

150 ppm (651 mg/m3) ACGIH STEL

100 ppm (434 mg/m3) NIOSH recommended TWA 10 hour(s)

150 ppm (651 mg/m3) NIOSH recommended STEL



VENTILATION: Provide local exhaust ventilation system. Ventilation equipment should be

explosion-resistant if explosive concentrations of material are present. Ensure compliance with

applicable exposure limits. Ventilation equipment should be explosion-resistant if explosive

concentrations of material are present. Provide local exhaust ventilation system.



EYE PROTECTION: Wear splash resistant safety goggles. Provide an emergency eye wash

fountain and quick drench shower in the immediate work area. Wear splash resistant safety

goggles with a faceshield. Provide an emergency eye wash fountain and quick drench shower in

the immediate work area.



CLOTHING: Wear appropriate chemical resistant clothing.



GLOVES: Wear appropriate chemical resistant gloves. Wear appropriate chemical resistant

gloves.



RESPIRATOR: The following respirators and maximum use concentrations are drawn from

NIOSH and/or OSHA.

900 ppm

Any chemical cartridge respirator with organic vapor cartridge(s).

Any powered, air-purifying respirator with organic vapor cartridge(s).

Any supplied-air respirator.

Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece.

Escape -

Any air-purifying respirator with a full facepiece and an organic vapor canister.

Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus.

For Unknown Concentrations or Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health -

Any supplied-air respirator with full facepiece and operated in a pressure-demand or other

positive-pressure mode in combination with a separate escape supply.

Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece.





9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES-----------Up to Table of Contents

PHYSICAL STATE: liquid



APPEARANCE: clear



COLOR: colorless



ODOR: sweet odor



MOLECULAR WEIGHT: 106.17



MOLECULAR FORMULA: C8-H10



BOILING POINT: 291 F (144 C)



FREEZING POINT: -13 F (-25 C)



VAPOR PRESSURE: 5.2 mmHg @ 25 C



VAPOR DENSITY (air=1): 3.7



SPECIFIC GRAVITY (water=1): 0.8802



WATER SOLUBILITY: 0.0175% @ 20 C



PH: Not available



VOLATILITY: 100%



ODOR THRESHOLD: <1 ppm



EVAPORATION RATE: 0.7 (butyl acetate=1)



COEFFICIENT OF WATER/OIL DISTRIBUTION: Not available



SOLVENT SOLUBILITY:

Soluble: alcohol, ether, benzene, acetone, organic solvents





10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY-----------Up to Table of Contents

REACTIVITY:

Stable at normal temperatures and pressure.



CONDITIONS TO AVOID:

Avoid heat, flames, sparks and other sources of ignition. Containers may rupture or explode if

exposed to heat. Keep out of water supplies and sewers.



INCOMPATIBILITIES:

oxidizing materials



HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION:

Thermal decomposition products: oxides of carbon



POLYMERIZATION:

Will not polymerize.





11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION-----------Up to Table of Contents



O-XYLENE:



TOXICITY DATA:

3617 mg/kg oral-rat LD50 (Phillips)



LOCAL EFFECTS:

Irritant: inhalation, skin, eye



ACUTE TOXICITY LEVEL:

Moderately Toxic: ingestion



TARGET ORGANS: central nervous system



REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS DATA: Available.



ADDITIONAL DATA: Alcohol may enhance the toxic effects. Stimulants such as epinephrine

may induce ventricular fibrillation.





12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION-----------Up to Table of Contents



ECOTOXICITY DATA:



FISH TOXICITY:

16400 ug/L 96 hour(s) LC50 (Mortality) Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)



INVERTEBRATE TOXICITY:

200 mg/L 24 hour(s) EC100 (Abundance) Water flea (Daphnia magna)



ALGAL TOXICITY:

4200 ug/L 8 hour(s) EC50 (Growth) Green algae (Selenastrum capricornutum)



OTHER TOXICITY:

73000 ug/L 48 hour(s) LC50 (Mortality) Clawed toad (Xenopus laevis)

13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS-----------Up to Table of Contents



Subject to disposal regulations: U.S. EPA 40 CFR 262. Hazardous Waste Number(s): U239.





14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION-----------Up to Table of Contents



U.S. DOT 49 CFR 172.101. SHIPPING NAME-UN NUMBER; HAZARD CLASS;

PACKING GROUP; LABEL:

Xylenes-UN1307; 3; II; Flammable liquid







15. REGULATORY INFORMATION-----------Up to Table of Contents

U.S. REGULATIONS:

 TSCA INVENTORY STATUS: Y



 TSCA 12(b) EXPORT NOTIFICATION: Not listed.



CERCLA SECTION 103 (40CFR302.4): Y

  Xylene: 100 LBS RQ



SARA SECTION 302 (40CFR355.30): N



SARA SECTION 304 (40CFR355.40): N



SARA SECTION 313 (40CFR372.65): Y

  Xylene



SARA HAZARD CATEGORIES, SARA SECTIONS 311/312 (40CFR370.21):

 ACUTE: Y

 CHRONIC: N

 FIRE: Y

 REACTIVE: N

 SUDDEN RELEASE: N



OSHA PROCESS SAFETY (29CFR1910.119): N



STATE REGULATIONS:

 California Proposition 65: N



EUROPEAN REGULATIONS:



EC NUMBER (EINECS): 202-422-2



EC RISK AND SAFETY PHRASES:

 R 10        Flammable.

 R 20/21     Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin.

 R 38        Irritating to skin.

 S2          Keep out of reach of children.

 S 25        Avoid contact with eyes.

CONCENTRATION LIMITS:

C>=20% Xn R 20/21-38

12.5%<=C<20% Xn R 20/21





16. OTHER INFORMATION-----------Up to Table of Contents









Matheson Tri-Gas makes no express or implied warranties, guarantees or representations

regarding the product or the information herein, including but not limited to any implied

warranty of merchantability or fitness for use. Matheson Tri-Gas shall not be liable for any

personal injury, property or other damages of any nature, whether compensatory,

consequential, exemplary, or otherwise, resulting from any publication, use or reliance

upon the information herein.



©Copyright 1984-1999 MDL Information Systems. ©Copyright 2000 Matheson Tri-Gas. All rights

reserved.