PRAXAIR INC -- HELIUM -- 5855-01-463-7372
=====================  Product Identification  =====================

Product ID:HELIUM
MSDS Date:10/01/1997
FSC:5855
NIIN:01-463-7372
Status Code:A
=== Responsible Party ===
Company Name:PRAXAIR INC
Address:39 OLD RIDGEBURY RD
City:DANBURY
State:CT
ZIP:06810-5113
Country:US
Info Phone Num:1-800-PRAXAIR
Emergency Phone Num:800-645-4633
Resp. Party Other MSDS Num.:P-4602-E
Preparer's Name:NOT PROVIDED
Chemtrec Ind/Phone:(800)424-9300
CAGE:0LV01
=== Contractor Identification ===
Company Name:PRAXAIR, INC.
Address:39 OLD RIDGEBURY RD
Box:City:DANBURY
State:CT
ZIP:06810-5113
Country:US
Phone:800-772-9247; 800-PRAXAIR
CAGE:0LV01

=============  Composition/Information on Ingredients  =============

Ingred Name:HELIUM
CAS:7440-59-7
RTECS #:MH6520000
> Wt:99.
Other REC Limits:NOT PROVIDED
OSHA PEL:NONE ESTABLISHED
ACGIH TLV:SIMPLE ASPHYXIANT

=====================  Hazards Identification  =====================

LD50 LC50 Mixture:NOT PROVIDED
Reports of Carcinogenicity:NTP:NO    IARC:NO	OSHA:NO
Health Hazards Acute and Chronic:ACUTE: INHALATION: ASPHYXIANT. EFFECTS
    ARE DUE TO LACK OF OXYGEN. MODERATE CONCENTRATIONS MAY CAUSE
    HEADACHE, DROWSINESS, DIZZINESS, EXCITATION, EXCESS SALIVATION,
    VOMITING, AND UNCONSCIOUSNESS. LACK  OF OXYGEN CAN KILL. SKIN
    CONTACT: NO HARM EXPECTED. EYE CONTACT: NO HARM EXPECTED.
    SWALLOWING: THIS PRODUCT IS A GAS AT NORMAL TEMPERATURE AND
    PRESSURE. CHRONIC: NO HARM EXPECTED. OTHER EFFECTS OF OVE
    REXPOSURE: HELIUM IS AN ASPHYXIANT. LACK OF OXYGEN CAN KILL.
Explanation of Carcinogenicity:HELIUM IS NOT LISTED BY NTP, OSHA, OR
    IARC.
Effects of Overexposure:NOT PROVIDED
Medical Cond Aggravated by Exposure:THE TOXICOLOGY AND THE PHYSICAL AND
    CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF HELIUM SUGGEST THAT OVEREXPOSURE IS UNLIKELY
    TO AGGRAVATE MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

=======================  First Aid Measures  =======================

First Aid:INHALATION: REMOVE TO FRESH AIR. IF NOT BREATHING, GIVE
    ARTIFICAL RESPIRATION. IF BREATHING IS DIFFICULT, QUALIFIED
    PERSONNEL MAY GIVE OXYGEN. CALL A PHYSICIAN. SKIN: WASH WITH SOAP
    AND WATER. SWALLOW ING: THIS PRODUCT IS A GAS AT NORMAL TEMPERATURE
    AND PRESSURE. EYE: FLUSH EYES WITH WARM WATER. HOLD THE EYELIDS
    OPEN AND AWAY FROM THE EYEBALLS TO	ENSURE THAT ALL SURFACES ARE
    FLUSHED THOROUGHLY. GE T MEDICAL ATTENTION IF DISCONFORT PERSISTS.
    NOTES TO PHYSICIAN:  THERE IS NO SPECIFIC ANTEDOTE. THIS PRODUCT IS
    INERT. TREATMENT OF OVEREXPOSURE SHOULD BE DIRECTED AT THE CONTROL
    OF SYMPTOMS AND THE C LINICAL CONDITION OF THE PATIENT.

=====================  Fire Fighting Measures  =====================

Flash Point:NOT APPLICABLE.
Extinguishing Media:HELIUM CANNOT CATCH FIRE. USE MEDIA APPROPRIATE FOR
    SURROUNDING FIRE.
Fire Fighting Procedures:CAUTION! HIGH-PRESSURE GAS. EVACUATE ALL
    PERSONNEL FROM DANGER AREA. IMMEDIATELY DELUGE CYLINDERS WITH WATER
    FROM MAXIMUM DISTANCE UNTIL COOL, THEN MOVE THEM FROM FIRE IF
    WITHOUT RISK. SELF-CONTAINED  BREATHING APPARATUS MAY BE REQUIRED
    BY RESCUE WORKERS. ON-SITE FIRE BRIGADES MUST COMPLY WITH OSHA 29
    CFR 1910.156.
Unusual Fire/Explosion Hazard:HELIUM CANNOT CATCH FIRE. HEAT OF FIRE
    CAN BUILD PRESSURE IN CYLINDER AND CAUSE IT TO RUPTURE. NO PART OF
    CYLINDER SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO A TEMPERATURE HIGHER THAN
    125F(52C). HELIUM CYLINDERS ARE EQUI PPED WITH PRESSURE RELIEF
    DEVICES. (EXCEPTIONS MAY EXIST WHERE AUTHORIZED BY DOT).

==================  Accidental Release Measures  ==================

Spill Release Procedures:HIGH PRESSURE GAS. HELIUM IS AN ASPHYXIANT.
    LACK OF OXYGEN CAN KILL. EVACUATE ALL PERSONNEL FROM DANGER AREA.
    USE SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS WHERE NEEDED. SHUT OFF FLOW
    IF YOU CAN DO SO WITHOU T RISK. VENTILATE AREA OR MOVE CYLINDER TO
    A WELL-VENTILATED AREA. TEST FOR SUFFICIENT OXYGEN ESPECIALLY IF IN
    CONFINED SPACES, BEFORE ALLOWING REENTRY.
Neutralizing Agent:NOT RELEVANT

======================	Handling and Storage  ======================

Handling and Storage Precautions:STORE AND USE WITH ADEQUATE
    VENTILATION. SECURE CYLINDERS TO PREVENT FALLING.  STORE ONLY WHERE
    TEMPERATURE WILL NOT EXCEED 125F/52C. STORE FULL & EMPTY CYLINDERS
    SEPARATELY. USE FIRST-IN, FIRST-OUT I NVENTORY SYSTEM. SCREW VALVE
    PROTECTION CAP ON FIRMLY BY HAND.
Other Precautions:PROTECT CYLINDERS FROM DAMAGE. USE SUITABLE HAND
    TRUCK TO MOVE CYLINDERS. NEVER LIFT CYLINDER BY CAP. NEVER INSERT
    OBJECT INTO CAP OPENING. USE ADJUSTABLE STRAP-WRENCH TO OPEN/LOOSEN
    CAP. OPEN VALVE S LOWLY. NEVER APPLY FLAME OR HEAT TO CYLINDER.

=============  Exposure Controls/Personal Protection  =============

Respiratory Protection:USE AIR-PURIFYING OR AIR-SUPPLIED RESPIRATORS,
    AS APPROPRIATE, WHERE LOCAL OR GENERAL EXHAUST IS INADEQUATE.
    ADEQUATE VENTILATION MUST KEEP WORKER EXPOSURE BELOW APPLICABLE
    TLVS FOR FUMES, GASES AND O THER BY-PRODUCTS OF WELDING WITH
    HELIUM. AN AIR-SUPPLIED RESPIRATOR MUST BE USED IN CONFINED SPACES.
    RESPIRATORY PROTECTION MUST CONFORM TO OSHA RULES.
Ventilation:ADEQUATE VENTILATION MUST KEEP WORKER EXPOSURE BELOW
    APPLICABLE TLVS FOR FUMES, GASES AND OTHER BY-PRODUCTS OF WELDING
    WITH  HELIUM.
Protective Gloves:WORK GLOVES FOR HANDLING; WELDING GLOVES FOR WELDING.
Eye Protection:WEAR SAFETY GLASSES FOR HANDLING; GOGGLES WITH FILTER
    LENSES,SCREEN FOR WELDING
Other Protective Equipment:METATARSAL SHOES FOR CYLINDER HANDLING. AS
    NEEDED FOR WELDING, WEAR HEAD, HAND, AND BODY PROTECTION TO PREVENT
    INJURY FROM RADIATION AND SPARKS. AT A MINIMUM THIS INCLUDES
    WELDER'S GLOVES .
Work Hygienic Practices:REGARDLESS OF PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, NEVER TOUCH
    LIVE ELECTRICAL PARTS.
Supplemental Safety and Health
ABBREVIATION: N/A = NOT APPLICABLE. N/AV = NOT AVAILABLE. N/K =
    UNKNOWN. N/P = NOT PROVIDED. N/R = NOT RELEVANT. N/D = NOT
    DETERMINED. N/E = NOT ESTABLISHED.

==================  Physical/Chemical Properties  ==================

HCC:G3
NRC/State Lic Num:NOT RELEVANT
Boiling Pt:=-157.8C, -252.1F
Melt/Freeze Pt:M.P/F.P Text:NONE
Decomp Temp:Decomp Text:NOT PROVIDED
Vapor Density:0.138
Spec Gravity:GAS
Solubility in Water:0.0094
Appearance and Odor:COLORLESS, ODORLESS, TASTELESS GAS AT NORMAL
    TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE.
Percent Volatiles by Volume:100

=================  Stability and Reactivity Data  =================

Stability Indicator/Materials to Avoid:YES
NONE CURRENTLY KNOWN. HELIUM IS CHEMICALLY INERT.
Stability Condition to Avoid:NONE CURRENTLY KNOWN.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:NO DATA PROVIDED BY RESPONSIBLE PARTY.

===================  Toxicological Information	===================

Toxicological Information:HELIUM IS A SIMPLE ASPHYXIANT.

=====================  Ecological Information  =====================

Ecological:NOT PROVIDED

====================  Disposal Considerations  ====================

Waste Disposal Methods:PREVENT WASTE FROM CONTAMINATING THE SURROUNDING
    ENVIRONMENT. KEEP PERSONNEL AWAY. DISCARD ANY PRODUCT, RESIDUE,
    DISPOSABLE CONTAINER OR LINER IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE
    MANNER, IN FULL COMPLIAN CE WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL
    REGULATIONS. IF NECESSARY, CALL YOUR LOCAL SUPPLIER FOR ASSISTANCE
    .

===================  MSDS Transport Information  ===================

Transport Information:DOT/IMO SHIPPING NAME: HELIUM, COMPRESSED. HAZARD
    CLASS: 2.2. IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: UN1046. PRODUCT RQ: NOT
    APPLICATION. SHIPPING LABEL: NONFLAMMABLE. PLACARD: NONFLAMMABLE
    GAS. SPECIAL SHIPPING INFO RMATION: CYLINDERS SHOULD BE TRANSPORTED
    IN A SECURE POSITION, IN A WELL-VENTILATED VEHICLE. CYLINDERS
    TRANSPORTED IN AN ENCLOSED, NONVENTILATED COMPARTMENT OF A VEHICLE
    CAN PRESENT SERIOUS SAFETY HAZ ARDS. SHIPMENT OF COMPTRESSED GAS
    CYLINDERS THAT HAVE BEEN FILLED WITHOUT THE OWNER'S CONSENT IS A
    VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW [49 CFR 173.301(B)].

=====================  Regulatory Information  =====================

SARA Title III Information:SECTIONS 302/304:REQUIRE  EMERGENCY PLANNING
    BASED ON THRESHOLD PLANNING QUANTITY (TPQ) AND RELEASE REPORTING
    BASED ON REPORTABLE QUANTITIIES (RQ) OF EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS
    SUBSTANCES (40 CFR PART 355):  TPQ: NONE. EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS
    SUBSTANCES (40 CFR 355): NONE. SECTION 311/312 HAZARD CATEGORIES:
    IMMEDIATE: NO, DELAYED: NO, FIRE: NO, REACTIVITY: NO, PRESSURE:
    YES. SECTION 313 TOXIC CHEMICALS: HELIU M DOES NOT REQUIRE
    REPORTING. 40 CFR 68:  HELIUM IS NOT LISTED AS A REGULATED
    SUBSTANCE.
Federal Regulatory Information:CERCLA: COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL
    RESPONSE, COMPRESSION AND LIABILITY ACT OF 1980 (40 CFR PARTS 117
    AND 302): REPORTABLE QUANTITY (RQ): NONE. TSCA: TOXIC SUBSTANCE
    CONTROL ACT: HELIUM IS LISTED ON T HE TSCA INVENTORY. OSHA
    (OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION): 29 CFR 1910.119:
    PROCESS SAFETY MANAGEMENT OF HIGHLY HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS: HELIUM IS
    NOT LISTED IN APENDIX A AS A HIGHLY HAZARDO US CHEMICAL.
State Regulatory Information:CALIFORNIA: THIS PRODUCT IS NOT LISTED BY
    CALIFORNIA UNDER THE SAFE DRINKING WATER TOXIC ENFORCEMENT ACT OF
    1986 (PROPOSITION 65). PENNSYLVANIA: THIS PRODUCT IS SUBJECT TO THE
    PENNSYLVANIA WORKER AND  COMMUNITY RIGHT-TO-KNOW ACT (35 P.S.
    SECTIONS 7301-7320).

=======================  Other Information  =======================

 Disclaimer (provided with this information by the compiling agencies):
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 of Defense.  The United States of America in no manner whatsoever,
 expressly or implied, warrants this information to be accurate and
 disclaims all liability for its use.  Any person utilizing this
 document should seek competent professional advice to verify and
 assume responsibility for the suitability of this information to their
 particular situation.