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ChemicalIdentifiers | Hazards | ResponseRecommendations |PhysicalProperties |RegulatoryInformation | AlternateChemicalNames
Chemical Identifiers
What is this information?
The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, theNFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
| CAS Number | UN/NA Number | DOT Hazard Label | USCG CHRIS Code |
|---|---|---|---|
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| none |
| NIOSH Pocket Guide | International Chem Safety Card | ||
| none | |||
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Helium is a colorless odorless gas. It is lighter than air. It is nonflammable and is only slightly soluble in water. It is chemically inert. When shipped as a liquid it is very cold and will solidify all other gases. Contact with the liquid will cause severe frostbite. Liquid helium is used in cryogenic research and as a nuclear reactor coolant.
Hazards
What is this information?
The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Slightly soluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:
Non-flammable gases. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:
Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation without warning. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. (ERG, 2020)
Reactivity Profile
These substances undergo no chemical reactions under any known circ*mstances. They are nonflammable, noncombustible and nontoxic. They can asphyxiate. Contact of very cold liquefied gas with water may result in vigorous or violent boiling of the product and extremely rapid vaporization due to the large temperature differences involved. If the water is hot, there is the possibility that a liquid "superheat" explosion may occur. Pressures may build to dangerous levels if liquid gas contacts water in a closed container, [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
- Not Chemically Reactive
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
No information available.
Response Recommendations
What is this information?
The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:
Use extinguishing agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:
Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basem*nts or confined areas. Allow substance to evaporate. Ventilate the area. CAUTION: When in contact with refrigerated/cryogenic liquids, many materials become brittle and are likely to break without warning. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:
Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. Always wear thermal protective clothing when handling refrigerated/cryogenic liquids or solids. (ERG, 2020)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:
Call 911 or emergency medical service. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Clothing frozen to the skin should be thawed before being removed. In case of contact with liquefied gas, thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water. Keep victim calm and warm. (ERG, 2020)
Physical Properties
What is this information?
The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circ*mstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
| Chemical Formula: |
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Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: data unavailable
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight: data unavailable
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
No AEGL information available.
ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
No ERPG information available.
PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
| Chemical | PAC-1 | PAC-2 | PAC-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helium (7440-59-7) | 65000 ppm | 230000 ppm | 400000 ppm |
(DOE, 2018)
Regulatory Information
What is this information?
The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).
EPA Consolidated List of Lists
No regulatory information available.
CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
No regulatory information available.
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
No regulatory information available.
Alternate Chemical Names
What is this information?
This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
- HELIUM, REFRIGERATED LIQUID (CRYOGENIC LIQUID)
- HELIUM, [REFRIGERATED LIQUID]
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