Carbon dioxide

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

OSHA Emergency Overview CAUTION! High-pressure liquid and gas. Can cause rapid suffocation. Can increase respiration and heart rate. May cause nervous system damage. May cause frostbite. May cause dizziness and drowsiness. Self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing may be required by rescue workers. This product is a colourless, odourless gas at normal temperature and pressure. The gas is slightly acidic and may be felt to have a slight, pungent odour and biting taste.

Principle Routes of Exposure

Inhalation. Skin contact. Eye contact. EFFECTS OF A SINGLE (ACUTE) OVEREXPOSURE: INHALATION: Asphyxiant. Effects are due to lack of oxygen. Moderate concentrations may cause headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, excitation, excess salivation, vomiting, and unconciousness. Lack of oxygen can kill. SKIN CONTACT: No harm expected from vapour. Liquid may cause frostbite. SKIN ABSORPTION: No harm expected. Liquid may cause frostbite. SWALLOWING: This product is a gas at normal temperature and pressure. Liquid may cause frostbite. EYE CONTACT: Vapour may cause a stinging sensation; liquid may cause frostbite. EFFECTS OF REPEATED (CHRONIC) OVEREXPOSURE: No evidence of adverse effects from available information. OTHER EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE: Damage to retial ganglion cells and central nervous system may occur.

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

OVEREXPOSURE Repeated or prolonged exposure is not known to aggravate medical condition. SIGNIFICANT LABORATORY DATA WITH POSSIBLE RELEVANCE TO HUMAN HEALTH HAZARD EVALUATION: A single study has shown an increase in heart defects in rats exposed to 6% carbon dioxide in air for 24 hours at different time during gestation. There is no evidence that carbon dioxide is tetratogenic in humans. CARCINOGENICITY