MSDS AR-L

Revision Date: March 04, 2007

Material Safety Data Sheet
Liquid Argon

Section 1 : PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION
Section 2 : COMPOSITION/ INGREDIENT INFORMATION
Section 3 : HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
Section 4 : FIRST AID MEASURES
Section 5 : FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
Section 6 : ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Section 7 : HANDLING AND STORAGE
Section 8 : EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION
Section 9 : PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Section 10 : STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Section 11 : TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Section 13 : DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Section 14 : TRANSPORT INFORMATION
Section 15 : REGULATORY INFORMATION
Section 16 : OTHER INFORMATION

Section 1 : PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

Product name:

Argon (Liquid),

Supplier/ Manufacturer:

Universal Industrial Gases, Inc.
2200 Northwood Avenue, Suite 3
Easton, PA 18045-2239 USA
(610) 559-7967.

Emergency phone:

(610) 559-7967.

Section 2 : COMPOSITION/ INGREDIENT INFORMATION

C.A.S.	CONCENTRATION %	Ingredient Name	OSHA PEL	ACGIH TLV	OSHA STEL
7727-37-9	> 99	ARGON	NONE	SIMPLE ASPHYXIANT	NONE

Section 3 : HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

Emergency Overview:

Argon gas is colorless, odorless and non-flammable.

It is non-toxic. The primary health hazard is asphyxiation by displacement of oxygen. Maintain oxygen levels above 19.5%.

Contact with the liquid or cold gas can cause freezing of exposed tissue.

Route of entry:

Inhalation, skin and eye contact.

Effects of acute exposure

Eye contact:

Can cause frostbite (liquid form).

Vapor may cause a stinging sensation.

Skin contact:

Can cause frostbite (liquid form).

No adverse effects from gas.

Inhalation:

May cause dizziness.

Asphyxiant.

Can cause vomiting.

May result in unconsciousness.

May cause excitation, excess salivation, rapid breathing.

May cause headaches and drowsiness.

May cause stinging of the nose and throat.

Ingestion:

Not a likely route of exposure.

Effects of chronic exposure:

Damage to retinal ganglion cells and central nervous system may occur due to the presence of carbon dioxide.

Reproductive effects:

Oxygen deficiency during pregnancy has produced developmental abnormalities in humans and experimental animals.

Section 4 : FIRST AID MEASURES

Skin contact:

Remove contaminated clothing.

Treat for frostbite if necessary by gently warming affected areas.

Consult a physician.

Eye contact:

Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.

Consult an ophthalmologist.

Inhalation:

RESCUERS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO RETRIEVE VICTIMS OF EXPOSURE TO THIS PRODUCT WITHOUT ADEQUATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. At a minimum, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus should be worn.

Remove victim(s) to fresh air, as quickly as possible. If not breathing qualified personnel should administer artificial respiration. Get medical attention.

If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen.

Ingestion:

No first aid should be needed.

Not considered a potential route of exposure.

Section 5 : FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

Flammability:

Not flammable.

Conditions of flammability:

Will not burn.

Extinguishing media:

Use appropriate extinguishing media for surrounding fire.

Special procedures:

Self-contained breathing apparatus required.

Firefighters should wear the usual protective gear.

Cool fire exposed containers with water spray.

Personnel should be evacuated, if necessary, to upwind area.

Remove containers from fire area if without risk.

Auto-ignition temperature:

Not applicable.

Flash point (°C), method:

Not applicable.

Lower flammability
limit (% vol):

Not applicable.

Upper flammability
limit (% vol):

Not applicable.

Explosion Data

Sensitivity to mechanical impact:

Avoid impact against container.

Explosive power:

Closed containers may rupture or explode due to pressure build-up when exposed to extreme heat.

Section 6 : ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

Leak/Spill:

Evacuate all non-essential personnel.

Stop leak without risk.

Wear gloves and goggles

Use a self-contained breathing apparatus.

Ventilate area. Monitor the surrounding area for Oxygen level. Oxygen must be at least 19.5% before personnel may be allowed into the area without self-contained breathing apparatus.

If the area must be entered by emergency personnel, self-contained breathing apparatus, Kevlar gloves, and appropriate foot and leg protection must be worn.

Section 7 : HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling procedures and equipment:

Never allow any unprotected part of the body to touch uninsulated pipes or vessels that contain cold fluids. The extremely cold metal of the container will cause moist flesh to stick fast and tear when one attempts to withdraw from it.

Protect system components against physical damage. Check all hoses and transfer equipment before filling them with the liquid. Replace any worn or cut hoses prior to use.

Liquid Argon is extremely cold and is under pressure. A complete hose failure can result in a large release of Argon and violent movement of the hose and associated equipment, which may cause severe injury or death. Special care must be taken when depressurizing and disconnecting hoses.

Use adequate ventilation.

Avoid inhalation.

Never work on a pressurized system.

If there is a leak, close the upstream valve, blow down the system by venting to a safe place, then repair the leak.

Storage requirements:

Use storage containers, piping, valves and fittings designed for storage and distribution of Liquefied Argon and vaporized (Gaseous) Argon.

Section 8 : EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION

Precautionary Measures

Gloves/Type:

Work gloves.

Respiratory/Type:

NIOSH/MSHA approved respirator.

Eye/Type:

As per local regulations.

Footwear/Type:

Safety boots per local regulations.

Clothing/Type:

Wear adequate protective clothes.

Other/Type:

Eye wash facility should be in close proximity.

Emergency shower should be in close proximity.

Ventilation requirements:

Mechanical ventilation is satisfactory. Ensure oxygen concentration remains above 19.5%.

Local exhaust at points of emission preferred.

Exposure limit of material

Simple asphyxiant.

Section 9 : PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Physical state:

Liquid

Appearance & odor:

Colorless, odorless.

Odor threshold (PPM):

Odorless.

Vapor pressure :

Gas@ 70°F (21°C)

Vapor sp. gravity (air=1):

1.38 @ 70°F (21°C)

Volatiles (% by volume)

100%

Boiling point :

-185.9°C (760 mmHg)

-302.6°F

Freezing point :

-189.2°C

-308.9°F

Solubility in water (%):

Slight.

Section 10 : STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

Chemical stability:

Product is stable.

Conditions of reactivity:

Heat

Hazardous polymerization:

Will not occur.

Incompatible substances:

None. Argon is an inert gas

Hazardous decomposition products:

None

Section 11 : TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

LD50 of product, species & route:

Not available.

LC50 of product, species & route:

Not available.

Section 13 : DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

Waste disposal:

Gas will dissipate in air.

Section 14 : TRANSPORT INFORMATION

DOT/ TDG classification:

North American Emergency Response Guidebook Number:

For bulk liquid shipments
Argon, refrigerated liquid
UN 1951
Class 2.2 (Non-Flammable Gas)


120 (Liquid) 121 (Gas)

Section 15 : REGULATORY INFORMATION

WHMIS classification:

DSL status:

Appears on DSL.

Section 16 : OTHER INFORMATION

Definitions and other useful data:

CAS #: The Chemical Abstract Service Number which uniquely identifies each constituent.

ACGIH - American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, a professional association which establishes exposure limits.

TLV - Threshold Limit Value - an airborne concentration of a substance which represents conditions under which it is generally believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed without adverse effect.

OSHA - U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

PEL - Permissible Exposure Limit - The same value as a TLV, except it is enforceable by OSHA.

IDLH - Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health - A concentration from which one can escape within 30-minutes without suffering permanent injury.

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION:
Health Hazard Rating Scale (Blue):
0 (material that on exposure under fire conditions would offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible materials);
1 (materialsthat on exposure under fire conditions could cause irritation or minor residual injury);
2 (materials that on intense or continued exposure under fire conditions could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury);
3 (materials that can on short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury);
4 (materials that under very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury). Flammability Hazard Rating Scale (Red):
0 (minimal hazard);
1 (materials that require substantial pre-heating before burning);
2 (combustible liquid or solids; liquids with a flash point of 38-93°C [100-200°F]);
3 (Class IB and IC flammable liquids with flash points below 38°C [100°F]);
4 (Class IA flammable liquids with flash points below 23°C [73°F] and boiling points below 38°C [100°F].
Reactivity Hazard Rating Scale(Yellow):
0 (normally stable);
1 (material that can become unstable at elevated temperatures or which can react slightly with water);
2 (materials that are unstable but do not detonate or which can react violently with water);
3 (materials that can detonate when initiated or which can react explosively with water);
4 (materials that can detonate at normal temperatures or pressures).

TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION:

Possible health hazards as derived from human data, animal studies, or from the results of studies with similar compounds are presented. Definitions of some terms:
LD50 -Lethal Dose (solids & liquids) which kills 50% of the exposed animals;
LC50 - Lethal Concentration (gases) which kills 50% of the exposed animals;
ppm concentration expressed in parts of material per million parts of air or water;
mg/m3 concentration expressed in weight of substance per volume of air;
mg/kg quantity of material, by weight.

REGULATORY INFORMATION:

EPA is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

WHMIS is the Canadian Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.

DOT and TC are the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Transport Canada, respectively, which assign DOT and TDG (Transportation of Dangerous Goods) identification numbers, hazard classifications, and proper shipping name and shipping label information. This material is hazardous as defined by 49 CFR 172.101 of the US Department of Transportation and Dangerous Goods as defined by Transport Canada Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regularions.

Material Safety Data Sheet Liquid Argon

Material Safety Data Sheet
Liquid Argon