NON-FLAMMABLE GAS MIXTURE

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: This product is a colorless gas which is either odorless, or which has a faint, solvent- like odor, due to the presence of solvent components (n-Pentane and n-Hexane). Carbon Monoxide, a component of this gas mixture, is a chemical asphyxiant and can produce significant, adverse health effects at relatively low concentrations. Components of this product (n-Pentane, and n-Hexane) can cause anesthetic or peripheral neuropathy effects. Inhalation of Carbon Dioxide, another component of this product, can increase respiration and heart rate, possibly resulting in circulatory insufficiency (which may lead to coma and death). Additionally, releases of this product may produce oxygen-deficient atmospheres (especially in small confined spaces or other poorly-ventilated environments); individuals in such atmospheres may be asphyxiated. (Continued) SYMPTOMS OF OVER-EXPOSURE BY ROUTE OF EXPOSURE: The most significant route of over-exposure is by HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INFORMATION inhalation. SYSTEM INHALATION: Due to the small size of an individual cylinder of this product, no unusual health effects from over-exposure to the HEALTH (BLUE) 3 product are anticipated under routine circumstances of use. If this product is released in a small, poorly-ventilated area (i.e. an enclosed or confined space), there is a potential for inhalation over-exposures to more than the Threshold Limit Value of Carbon (RED) 0 Monoxide (25 ppm). Such over-exposure can result in serious FLAMMABILITY health consequences. There are also health effects associated with over-exposure to the other components of this product. Unless otherwise noted, the information presented for symptoms (YELLOW) REACTIVITY which can develop after over-exposure to specific concentrations 0 of Carbon Monoxide and these other constituents are in ranges present in this gas mixture. Carbon Monoxide is classified as a chemical asphyxiant, PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT B producing a toxic action by combining with the hemoglobin of the blood and replacing the available oxygen. Through this EYES RESPIRATORY HANDS BODY replacement, the body is deprived of the required oxygen, and asphyxiation occurs. Since the affinity of Carbon Monoxide for hemoglobin is about 200-300 times that of oxygen, only a small See Section 8 amount of Carbon Monoxide will cause a toxic reaction to occur. Carbon Monoxide exposures in excess of 50 ppm will produce For routine industrial applications symptoms of poisoning if breathed for a sufficiently long time. If this product is released in a small, poorly ventilated area (i.e. an enclosed or confined space), symptoms may include the following: CONCENTRATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE OBSERVED EFFECT All exposure levels: Over-exposure to Carbon Monoxide can be indicated by the lips and fingernails turning bright red. 200 ppm: Slight symptoms (i.e. headache) after several hours of exposure. 400 ppm: Headache, discomfort experienced within 2-3 hours of exposure. 1,000 -2000 ppm: Within 30 minutes, slight palpitations of the heart occurs. Within 1.5 hours, there is a tendency to stagger. CONCENTRATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE OBSERVED EFFECT (Continued) 200-2500 ppm: Within 2 hours, there is mental confusion, headaches, and nausea. Unconsciousness within 30 minutes. >2500 ppm: Potential for collapse and death before warning symptoms. Another hazard associated with releases of this product is the potential for over-exposure to Carbon Dioxide, a component of this gas mixture. Symptoms of Carbon Dioxide over-exposure in humans are as follows: CONCENTRATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE OBSERVED EFFECT 1% Slight increase in breathing rate. 2% Breathing rate increases to 50% above normal level. Prolonged exposure can cause headache, tiredness. 3% Breathing increases to twice normal rate and becomes labored. Weak narcotic effect. Impaired hearing, headache, increase in blood pressure and pulse rate. 4-5% Breathing increases to approximately four times normal rate, symptoms of intoxication become evident and slight choking may be felt. 5-10% Characteristic sharp odor noticeable. Very labored breathing, headache, visual impairment and ringing in the ears. Judgment may be impaired, followed within minutes by loss of consciousness. 50-100% Unconsciousness occurs more rapidly above 10% level. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations may eventually result in death from asphyxiation. Another hazard associated with this product is the potential for anesthetic and peripheral neuropathy effects after inhalation over-exposures to n-Pentane and n-Hexane (components of this product). Specific human over-exposure data are available for n-Pentane and n-Hexane, as follows: CONCENTRATION OF n-PENTANE OBSERVED EFFECT Brief (10 minute) up to 5,000 ppm: No symptoms. Higher than 5,000 ppm: Exhilaration, dizziness and headache can occur. Long term: Can cause chronic neurological disorder causing damage to the nerves in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy). CONCENTRATION OF n-HEXANE OBSERVED EFFECT Brief (10 minute) at 1,500 ppm: Irritation of the respiratory tract, nausea and headache. 5000 ppm: Dizziness and drowsiness can occur. Long term at 500 ppm: Can affect the nerves in the arms and legs. Effects include numbing or tingling sensations in the fingers and toes, tiredness, muscle weakness, cramps and spasms in the leg, difficulty in holding objects or walking, abdominal pains, loss of appetite, weight loss. More serious exposures can cause damage to the nerves in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy). Eyes and Vision: Abnormal color perception and pigment changes in the eyes have been reported among industrial workers exposed to 423-1280 ppm for 5 years or more. Blood Cells: Mild forms of anemia have also been associated with exposure to hexane. These are of temporary nature. (Continued) CONTACT WITH SKIN or EYES: Exposure to high concentrations of Carbon Dioxide (a component of this gas mixture) may cause eye irritation with symptoms such as pain, redness, and tearing. Prolonged contact of high concentrations of Carbon Dioxide with the eyes can cause damage to the retinal ganglion cells.

Potential health effects

OR RISKS FROM EXPOSURE An Explanation in Lay Terms. Over-exposure to this gas mixture may cause the following health effects: ACUTE: Due to the small size of the individual cylinder of this product, no unusual health effects from exposure to the product are anticipated under routine circumstances of use. However, Carbon Monoxide (a component of this gas mixture) is toxic to humans at levels that exist in this mixture. Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning can develop gradually, or can arise suddenly, depending on the concentration and duration of exposure. Lips and fingernails will turn bright red, which is a significant sign of Carbon Monoxide over-exposure. Other symptoms of over-exposure to Carbon Monoxide can include respiratory difficulty, headaches, shortness of breath, wheezing, headache, blurred vision, memory loss, dizziness, indigestion, nausea, unconsciousness, and death. ACUTE (Continued): Inhalation of high concentrations of Carbon Dioxide (a component of this gas mixture) can cause nausea, dizziness, headache, mental confusion, increased blood pressure and respiratory rate. High concentrations of Carbon Dioxide may cause eye irritation, and potential eye damage. Inhalation over-exposures to other components of this gas mixture (n-Pentane, and n-Hexane) can cause anesthetic effects and motor neuropathy (i.e. pain and tingling in feet and hands). CHRONIC: Abnormal color perception and pigment changes in the eyes have been reported among persons exposed to 420 -1300 ppm of n-Hexane for five years. Additionally, long-term exposure to low levels of n-Hexane or n-Pentane can affect the nerves in the arms and legs. Effects include numbing or tingling sensation, tiredness, cramps, spasms in legs, difficulty holding objects or walking, loss of appetite and weight loss. Pentane isomers, such as n-Pentane, can cause sensitization of the heart to epinephrine. Refer to Section 11 (Toxicology Information) for additional information on the components of this product. TARGET ORGANS: Respiratory system, blood system, central nervous system effects, cardiovascular system, reproductive system.