Tungsten hexafluoride

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

FIRST AID MEASURES

Description of first aid measures

General advice : If additional information is needed call the Air Products Emergency Number or

consult the Air Products Safetygram 29: Medical Treatment Protocol for

Hydrofluoric Acid Burns, available on our website at

http://www.airproducts.com/Safetygrams. Prompt medical attention is required in

all cases of exposure. The potential for hydrogen fluoride formation exi sts with

every exposure, therefore its toxicity must also be considered. Remove victim to

uncontaminated area wearing self contained breathing apparatus. Keep victim

warm and rested. Call a doctor. Apply artificial respiration if breathing stopped.

Use chemically protective clothing.

Eye contact : Seek medical treatment immediately. Irrigate eye intermittently for 20 minutes

with an aqueous calcium gluconate 1% solution, if available. In the case of

contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical

advice.

Keep eye wide open while rinsing.

Skin contact : A physician should be consulted for all exposures . Alternative treatment is to

soak the affected areas in an iced 0.13% water solution (1:750) of Zephiran®

chloride (benzalkonium chloride solution, NF). Use ice cubes, not shaved ice, to

prevent frostbite. If soaking is impractical, soaks or compresses may be used.

(Do not us Zephiran® for burns of the eye.) Burns covering an area greater than

eight square inches require immediate treatment by a physician. If immersion is

impractical, soaked compresses of the same solution should be applied to the

area. Immersion or compresses must be used continuously for two hours. With

gloved hand apply 2.5% calcium gluconate gel to the burn area. Burns covering

an area greater than 25 square centimeters (4 square inches) require immediate

treatment by a medical doctor. Remove contaminated clothing. Flush with

copious amounts of water until treatment is available. Immediate medical

treatment is necessary as untreated wounds from corrosion of the skin heal slowly and badly.

Ingestion : Drink 1 to 3 glasses of water or milk. Do not induce vomiting. Call a physician

immediately. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Gastric

lavage with calcium chloride or calcium g luconate may be performed by a

physician. Administer several vials of 10% aqueous calcium g luconate orally.

(Calcium carbonate or an antacid containing calcium carbonate or magnesium

carbonate or hydroxide may also be used.)

Inhalation : As soon as possible give 2.5% to 3% calcium gluconate solution by nebulizer.

Move to fresh air. If breathing has stopped or is labored, give assisted

respirations. Supplemental oxygen may be indicated. If the heart has stopped,

trained personnel should begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately.

Mouth to mouth resuscitation is not recommended. Use a barrier device. If

unconscious place in recovery position and seek medical advice. In case of

shortness of breath, give oxygen. Consult a doctor.

Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed

Symptoms : No data available.

Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed

Treatment : If pain persists after above topical treatments, it may be necessary to inject 5%

aqueous calcium gluconate beneath, around and into the burn area. This will

more likely be necessary in the treatment of extensive burns or small burns

where treatment has been delayed. Do not use local anesthetics. Resolution of

pain is means to determine effective medical treatment. The patient should be

observed for clinical symptoms of hypocalcemia following ingestion or inhalation

or following extensive burns. Serum calcium, potassium and magnesium

determinations must be performed immediately and periodically to monitor for

hypocalcemia and electrolyte imbalance. EKGs should be done immediately and

periodically to monitor for arrhythmias, hypocalcemia and hyperkalemia. If

additional information is needed call the Air Products' Emergency Number

(Section 1) or consult the Air Products' Safetygram 29 "Treatment Protocol for

Hydrofluoric Acid Burns.

Fire-fighting measures

FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES

Extinguishing media

Suitable extinguishing media : All known extinguishing media can be used.

Extinguishing media which

must not be used for safety

reasons.

: No data available.

Special hazards arising

from the substance or

mixture

: Product is nonflammable and does not support combustion. Upon exposure to

intense heat or flame, cylinder will vent rapidly and or rupture violently. Use of

water may result in the formation of very toxic aqueous solutions. Move away

from container and cool with water from a protected position. Keep adjacent

cylinders cool by spraying with large amounts of water until the fire burns itself out. If possible, stop flow of product.

Advice for fire-fighters : Use self-contained breathing apparatus and chemically protective clothing.

Accidental release measures

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

Personal precautions,

protective equipment and

emergency procedures

: Use chemically protective clothing. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Ventilate

the area. Approach suspected leak areas with caution. Use self-contained

breathing apparatus or positive pressure air line with mask and escape pack in

areas where concentration is unknown or above the exposure limits.

Environmental

precautions

: Should not be released into the environment. Prevent further leakage or spillage

if safe to do so. Prevent from entering sewers, basements and workpits, or any

place where its accumulation can be dangerous.

Methods and material for

containment and cleaning

up

: Ventilate the area. Wash contaminated equipment or sites of leaks wit h copious

quantities of water. Reduce vapor with fog or fine water spray.

Additional advice : Reduce vapor with fog or fine water spray. Large releases may require

considerable downwind evacuation. If possible, stop flow of product. Increase

ventilation to the release area and monitor concentrations. If leak is from cylinder

or cylinder valve, call the Air Products emergency telephone number. If the leak

is in the user's system, close the cylinder valve, safely vent the pressure, and

purge with an inert gas before attempting repairs.

Handling and storage

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Precautions for safe handling

Teflon, calcium-filled teflon or lead are the preferred gasket materials. Systems that contain moisture may form

hydrofluoric acid. Carbon steel, stainless steel, Monel or copper are suitable materials of construction when no

moisture is present. Hastelloy, platinum or gold offer good resistance to corrosion when moisture is present. Use

equipment rated for cylinder pressure. Cylinders should be stored upright with valve protection cap in place and

firmly secured to prevent falling or being knocked over. Protect cylinders from physical damage; do not drag, roll,

slide or drop. Do not allow storage area temperature to exceed 50°C (122°F). Only experienced and prop erly

instructed persons should handle compressed gases/cryogenic liquids. Before using the product, determine its

identity by reading the label. Know and understand the properties and hazards of the product before use. When

doubt exists as to the correct handling procedure for a particular gas, contact the supplier. Do not remove or

deface labels provided by the supplier for the identification of the cylinder contents. When moving cylinders, even

for short distances, use a cart (trolley, hand truck, etc.) designed to transport cylinders. Leave valve protection

caps in place until the container has been secured against either a wall or bench or placed in a container stand and

is ready for use. Use an adjustable strap wrench to remove over-tight or rusted caps. Before connecting the

container, check the complete gas system for suitability, particularly for pressure rating and materials. Before

connecting the container for use, ensure that back feed from the system into the container is prevented. Ensure

the complete gas system is compatible for pressure rating and materials of construction. Ensure the complete gas

system has been checked for leaks before use. Employ suitable pressure regulating devices on all containers

when the gas is being emitted to systems with lower pressure rating than that of the container. Never insert an

object (e.g. wrench, screwdriver, pry bar, etc.) into valve cap openings. Doing so may damage valve, causing a leak to occur. Open valve slowly. If user experiences any difficulty operating cylinder valve discontinue use and

contact supplier. Close container valve after each use and when empty, even if still connected to equipment.

Never attempt to repair or modify container valves or safety relief devices. Damaged valves should be reported

immediately to the supplier. Close valve after each use and when empty. Replace outlet caps or plugs and

container caps as soon as container is disconnected from equipment. Do not subject containers to abnormal

mechanical shock. Never attempt to lift a cylinder by its valve protection cap or guard. Do not use containers as

rollers or supports or for any other purpose than to contain the gas as supplied. Never strike an arc on a

compressed gas cylinder or make a cylinder a part of an electrical circuit. Keep container valve outlets clean and

free from contaminates particularly oil and water. Do not smoke while handling product or cylinders. Never

re-compress a gas or a gas mixture without first consulting the supplier. Never attempt to transfer gases from one

cylinder/container to another. Always use backflow protective device in piping. Purge air from system before

introducing gas. Purge system with dry inert gas (e.g. helium or nitrogen) before gas is introduced and when

system is placed out of service. Avoid suckback of water, acid and alkalis. Installation of a cross purge assembly

between the cylinder and the regulator is recommended. When returning cylinder install valve outlet cap or plug

leak tight. Never use direct flame or electrical heating devices to raise the pressure of a container. Containers

should not be subjected to temperatures above 50°C (122°F). Prolonged periods of cold temperature belo w -30°C

(-20°F) should be avoided. Never attempt to increas e liquid withdrawal rate by pressurizing the container without

first checking with the supplier. Never permit liquefied gas to become trapped in parts of the system as this may

result in hydraulic rupture.

Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities

Full containers should be stored so that oldest s tock is used first. Containers should be stored in a purpose build

compound which should be well ventilated, preferably in the open air. Observe all regulations and local

requirements regarding storage of containers. Stored containers should be periodically checked for general

condition and leakage. Local codes may have special requirements for toxic gas storage. Protect containers

stored in the open against rusting and extremes of weather. Containers should not be stored in conditions likely to

encourage corrosion. Containers should be stored in the vertical position and properly secured to prevent toppling.

The container valves should be tightly closed and where appropriate valve outlets should be capped or plugged.

Container valve guards or caps should be in place. Keep containers tightly closed in a cool, well-ventilated place.

Full and empty cylinders should be segregated. Do not allow storage temperature to exceed 50°C (122°F) . Return

empty containers in a timely manner.

Technical measures/Precautions

Provide sufficient air exchange and/or exhaust in work rooms. Containers should be segregated in the storage

area according to the various categories (e.g. flammable, toxic, etc.) and in accordance whit local regulations.

Transport information

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Shipping

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Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

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Shipping

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