Forane (R) 22

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview Colorless liquified gas with faint ether odor. WARNING! LIQUID AND GAS UNDER PRESSURE, OVERHEATING AND OVERPRESSURIZING MAY CAUSE GAS RELEASE OR VIOLENT CYLINDER BURSTING. MAY DECOMPOSE ON CONTACT WITH FLAMES OR EXTREMELY HOT METAL SURFACES TO PRODUCE TOXIC AND CORROSIVE PRODUCTS. VAPOR REDUCES OXYGEN AVAILABLE FOR BREATHING AND IS HEAVIER THAN AIR. HARMFUL IF INHALED AND MAY CAUSE HEART IRREGULARITIES, UNCONSCIOUSNESS OR DEATH. LIQUID CONTACT WITH EYES OR SKIN MAY CAUSE FROSTBITE.

Potential health effects

Skin contact and inhalation are expected to be the primary routes of occupational exposure to this material. As with most liquefied gases, contact with the rapidly volatilizing liquid or cold vapor can cause frostbite to any tissue. Based on single exposure animal tests, this material is considered to be practically non-toxic if inhaled. However, exposure to gas of this material at high concentrations may effect the nervous system and produce a rapid anesthetic effect. The dense vapor of this material can reduce the oxygen available for breathing and produce symptoms such as headache, dizziness, drowsiness, cyanosis and lack of muscle control followed by collapse. Prolonged exposure to an oxygen- deficient atmosphere may be fatal. Inhalation of this material may cause an increase in the sensitivity of the heart to adrenaline, which could result in irregular heart beats and reduced heart function. Workers with heart disease or compromised heart function should limit exposure to this material.