Material Safety Data Sheet

Helium

Section 1. Chemical product and company identification

Product name Supplier : Helium : AIRGAS INC., on behalf of its subsidiaries 259 North Radnor-Chester Road Suite 100 Radnor, PA 19087-5283 1-610-687-5253 : Synthetic/Analytical chemistry. : helium (dot); Helium-4; He; o-Helium; UN 1046; UN 1963; Liquid Helium; Helium, Refrigerated Liquid : 001025 : 8/27/2010. : 1-866-734-3438

Product use Synonym MSDS # Date of Preparation/Revision In case of emergency

Section 2. Hazards identification

Physical state Emergency overview : Gas. [Colorless, Odorless Gas, Cryogenic liquid and gas] : WARNING! GAS: CONTENTS UNDER PRESURE. Do not puncture or incinerate container. Can cause rapid suffocation. May cause severe frostbite. LIQUID: Extremely cold liquid and gas under pressure. Can cause rapid suffocation. May cause severe frostbite. Do not puncture or incinerate container. Contact with rapidly expanding gases or liquids can cause frostbite. : Inhalation

Routes of entry Potential acute health effects Eyes : Contact with rapidly expanding gas may cause burns or frostbite. Contact with cryogenic liquid can cause frostbite and cryogenic burns. Skin : Contact with rapidly expanding gas may cause burns or frostbite. Contact with cryogenic liquid can cause frostbite and cryogenic burns. Inhalation : Acts as a simple asphyxiant. Ingestion Potential chronic health effects : Ingestion is not a normal route of exposure for gases. Contact with cryogenic liquid can cause frostbite and cryogenic burns. : CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. : Acute or chronic respiratory conditions may be aggravated by overexposure to this gas.

Medical conditions aggravated by overexposure

See toxicological information (section 11)

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Helium

Section 3. Composition, Information on Ingredients

Name Helium CAS number 7440-59-7 % Volume 100 Exposure limits Oxygen Depletion [Asphyxiant]

Section 4. First aid measures

No action shall be taken involving any personal risk or without suitable training.If it is suspected that fumes are still present, the rescuer should wear an appropriate mask or self-contained breathing apparatus.It may be dangerous to the person providing aid to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Eye contact : Check for and remove any contact lenses. Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids. Get medical attention immediately. Skin contact : None expected. Frostbite : Try to warm up the frozen tissues and seek medical attention. Inhalation : Move exposed person to fresh air. If not breathing, if breathing is irregular or if respiratory arrest occurs, provide artificial respiration or oxygen by trained personnel. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. Get medical attention immediately. Ingestion : As this product is a gas, refer to the inhalation section.

Section 5. Fire-fighting measures

Flammability of the product Products of combustion Fire-fighting media and instructions : Non-flammable. : No specific data. : Use an extinguishing agent suitable for the surrounding fire. Apply water from a safe distance to cool container and protect surrounding area. If involved in fire, shut off flow immediately if it can be done without risk. Contains gas under pressure. In a fire or if heated, a pressure increase will occur and the container may burst or explode. : Fire-fighters should wear appropriate protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with a full face-piece operated in positive pressure mode.

Special protective equipment for fire-fighters

Section 6. Accidental release measures

Personal precautions : Immediately contact emergency personnel. Keep unnecessary personnel away. Use suitable protective equipment (section 8). Shut off gas supply if this can be done safely. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. : Avoid dispersal of spilled material and runoff and contact with soil, waterways, drains and sewers. : Immediately contact emergency personnel. Stop leak if without risk. Note: see section 1 for emergency contact information and section 13 for waste disposal.

Environmental precautions Methods for cleaning up

Section 7. Handling and storage

Handling : High pressure gas. Do not puncture or incinerate container. Use equipment rated for cylinder pressure. Close valve after each use and when empty. Protect cylinders from physical damage; do not drag, roll, slide, or drop. Use a suitable hand truck for cylinder movement. Never allow any unprotected part of the body to touch uninsulated pipes or vessels that contain cryogenic liquids. Prevent entrapment of liquid in closed systems or piping without pressure relief devices. Some materials may become brittle at low temperatures and will easily fracture.

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Helium Storage : Cylinders should be stored upright, with valve protection cap in place, and firmly secured to prevent falling or being knocked over. Cylinder temperatures should not exceed 52 C (125 F). For additional information concerning storage and handling refer to Compressed Gas Association pamphlets P-1 Safe Handling of Compressed Gases in Containers and P12 Safe Handling of Cryogenic Liquids available from the Compressed Gas Association, Inc.

Section 8. Exposure controls/personal protection

Engineering controls : Use only with adequate ventilation. Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation or other engineering controls to keep worker exposure to airborne contaminants below any recommended or statutory limits. : Safety eyewear complying with an approved standard should be used when a risk assessment indicates this is necessary to avoid exposure to liquid splashes, mists or dusts. When working with cryogenic liquids, wear a full face shield. : Personal protective equipment for the body should be selected based on the task being performed and the risks involved and should be approved by a specialist before handling this product. : Use a properly fitted, air-purifying or air-fed respirator complying with an approved standard if a risk assessment indicates this is necessary. Respirator selection must be based on known or anticipated exposure levels, the hazards of the product and the safe working limits of the selected respirator. The applicable standards are (US) 29 CFR 1910.134 and (Canada) Z94.4-93 : Chemical-resistant, impervious gloves complying with an approved standard should be worn at all times when handling chemical products if a risk assessment indicates this is necessary. Insulated gloves suitable for low temperatures : Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) should be used to avoid inhalation of the product. Oxygen Depletion [Asphyxiant]

Personal protection Eyes

Skin

Respiratory

Hands

Personal protection in case of a large spill Product name helium

Consult local authorities for acceptable exposure limits.

Section 9. Physical and chemical properties

Molecular weight Molecular formula Boiling/condensation point Melting/freezing point Critical temperature Vapor density Specific Volume (ft 3/lb) Gas Density (lb/ft 3) : : : : : : : : 4 g/mole He -268.9C (-452F) -272.2C (-458F) -267.9C (-450.2F) 0.14 (Air = 1) Liquid Density@BP: 7.8 lb/ft3 (125 kg/m3) 96.1538 0.0104

Section 10. Stability and reactivity

Stability and reactivity Hazardous decomposition products Hazardous polymerization : The product is stable. : Under normal conditions of storage and use, hazardous decomposition products should not be produced. : Under normal conditions of storage and use, hazardous polymerization will not occur.

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Helium

Section 11. Toxicological information

Toxicity data Other toxic effects on humans Specific effects Carcinogenic effects Mutagenic effects Reproduction toxicity : No specific information is available in our database regarding the other toxic effects of this material to humans. : No known significant effects or critical hazards. : No known significant effects or critical hazards. : No known significant effects or critical hazards.

Section 12. Ecological information

Aquatic ecotoxicity Not available. Environmental fate Environmental hazards Toxicity to the environment : Not available. : No known significant effects or critical hazards. : Not available.

Section 13. Disposal considerations

Product removed from the cylinder must be disposed of in accordance with appropriate Federal, State, local regulation.Return cylinders with residual product to Airgas, Inc.Do not dispose of locally.

Section 14. Transport information

Regulatory information DOT Classification UN number UN1046 Proper shipping name HELIUM, COMPRESSED Helium, refrigerated liquid Class 2.2 Packing group Not applicable (gas). Label Additional information Limited quantity Yes. Packaging instruction Passenger aircraft Quantity limitation: 75 kg Cargo aircraft Quantity limitation: 150 kg TDG Classification UN1046 HELIUM, COMPRESSED Helium, refrigerated liquid 2.2 Not applicable (gas). Explosive Limit and Limited Quantity Index 0.125 Passenger Carrying Road or Rail Index 75

UN1963

UN1963

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Helium Mexico Classification UN1046 HELIUM, COMPRESSED Helium, refrigerated liquid 2.2 Not applicable (gas). -

UN1963

Refer to CFR 49 (or authority having jurisdiction) to determine the information required for shipment of the product.

Section 15. Regulatory information

United States U.S. Federal regulations : United States inventory (TSCA 8b): This material is listed or exempted. SARA 302/304/311/312 extremely hazardous substances: No products were found. SARA 302/304 emergency planning and notification: No products were found. SARA 302/304/311/312 hazardous chemicals: helium SARA 311/312 MSDS distribution - chemical inventory - hazard identification: helium: Sudden release of pressure Clean Water Act (CWA) 307: No products were found. Clean Water Act (CWA) 311: No products were found. Clean Air Act (CAA) 112 accidental release prevention: No products were found. Clean Air Act (CAA) 112 regulated flammable substances: No products were found. Clean Air Act (CAA) 112 regulated toxic substances: No products were found. : Connecticut Carcinogen Reporting: This material is not listed. Connecticut Hazardous Material Survey: This material is not listed. Florida substances: This material is not listed. Illinois Chemical Safety Act: This material is not listed. Illinois Toxic Substances Disclosure to Employee Act: This material is not listed. Louisiana Reporting: This material is not listed. Louisiana Spill: This material is not listed. Massachusetts Spill: This material is not listed. Massachusetts Substances: This material is listed. Michigan Critical Material: This material is not listed. Minnesota Hazardous Substances: This material is not listed. New Jersey Hazardous Substances: This material is listed. New Jersey Spill: This material is not listed. New Jersey Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act: This material is not listed. New York Acutely Hazardous Substances: This material is not listed. New York Toxic Chemical Release Reporting: This material is not listed. Pennsylvania RTK Hazardous Substances: This material is listed. Rhode Island Hazardous Substances: This material is not listed. : Class A: Compressed gas. CEPA Toxic substances: This material is not listed. Canadian ARET: This material is not listed. Canadian NPRI: This material is not listed. Alberta Designated Substances: This material is not listed. Ontario Designated Substances: This material is not listed. Quebec Designated Substances: This material is not listed.

State regulations

Canada WHMIS (Canada)

Section 16. Other information

United States

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Helium Label requirements : GAS: CONTENTS UNDER PRESURE. Do not puncture or incinerate container. Can cause rapid suffocation. May cause severe frostbite. LIQUID: Extremely cold liquid and gas under pressure. Can cause rapid suffocation. May cause severe frostbite. : Class A: Compressed gas.

Canada Label requirements

Hazardous Material Information System (U.S.A.)

: Health Flammability Physical hazards

1 0 0

liquid: Health Fire hazard Reactivity Personal protection National Fire Protection Association (U.S.A.) : Health 0 0 0 Flammability Instability Special 3 0 0

SA

liquid: 0 Health 3 0 Flammability Instability Special

SA

Notice to reader To the best of our knowledge, the information contained herein is accurate. However, neither the above-named supplier, nor any of its subsidiaries, assumes any liability whatsoever for the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Final determination of suitability of any material is the sole responsibility of the user. All materials may present unknown hazards and should be used with caution. Although certain hazards are described herein, we cannot guarantee that these are the only hazards that exist.

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