Perfluoroethane

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

General advice: If unconscious place in recovery position and seek medical advice. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. If breathing is irregular or stopped, administer artificial respiration. If symptoms persist, call a physician. First aider needs to protect himself.

Inhalation: Remove from exposure, lie down. Move to fresh air. Keep patient warm and at rest. Artificial respiration and/or oxygen may be necessary. Consult a physician.

Skin contact: Take off all contaminated clothing immediately. Flush area with lukewarm water. Do not use hot water. If frostbite has occurred, call a physician.

Eye contact: Hold eyelids apart and flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical attention.

Ingestion: Is not considered a potential route of exposure.

Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed

Symptoms

Misuse or intentional inhalation abuse may cause death without warning symptoms, due to cardiac effects. Other symptoms potentially related to misuse or inhalation abuse are: Anaesthetic effects, Light-headedness, dizziness, confusion, incoordination, drowsiness, or unconsciousness, irregular heartbeat with a strange sensation in the chest, heart thumping, apprehension, feeling of fainting, dizziness or weakness.

Contact with liquid or refrigerated gas can cause cold burns and frostbite.

Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed

Treatment: Do not give adrenaline or similar drugs.

Fire-fighting measures

Extinguishing media

Suitable extinguishing media: Use extinguishing measures that are appropriate to local circumstances and the surrounding environment. Use Water spray, Alcohol-resistant foam, Dry chemical, Carbon dioxide (CO2).

Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture

Specific hazards during firefighting: Pressure build-up. Fire or intense heat may cause violent rupture of packages. Hazardous combustion products: Hydrogen fluoride, Fluorinated compounds, Carbon oxides. Exposure to decomposition products may be a hazard to health.

Advice for firefighters

Special protective equipment for firefighters: In the event of fire, wear self-contained breathing apparatus. Use personal protective equipment. Wear neoprene gloves during cleaning up work after a fire.

Further information: Cool containers / tanks with water spray.

Accidental release measures

Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures

Personal precautions: Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Ventilate area, especially low or enclosed places where heavy vapours might collect. Refer to protective measures listed in sections “Handling and Storage” and “Exposure Controls/Personal Protection”.

Environmental precautions: Should not be released into the environment. In accordance with local and national regulations.

Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up

Methods for cleaning up: Evaporates.  

Reference to other sections: For disposal instructions see section “Disposal Considerations”.

Handling and storage

Precautions for safe handling

Advice on safe handling: Vapours are heavier than air and may spread along floors. Avoid breathing vapours or mist. Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Provide sufficient air exchange and/or exhaust in work rooms. For personal protection see section ‘Exposure Controls/Personal Protection’.

Advice on protection against fire and explosion: The product is not flammable in air under ambient conditions of temperature and pressure. When pressurised with air or oxygen, the mixture may become flammable. Certain mixtures of HCFCs or HFCs with chlorine may become flammable or reactive under certain conditions.

Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities

Requirements for storage areas and containers: Do not drag, slide or roll cylinders. Never attempt to lift cylinder by its cap. Use a check valve or trap in the discharge line to prevent hazardous back flow into the cylinder. Keep at temperature not exceeding 52°C. Keep containers tightly closed in a dry, cool and well-ventilated place. Protect from contamination. Protect cylinders from damage. Keep away from direct sunlight. Store only in approved containers.

Advice on common storage: No materials to be especially mentioned. For further information see section Stability and reactivity.

Storage temperature: < 52 °C

Specific end use(s): no data available

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

2193

Shipping

Labels:

2.2

SpecialProvisions

Shipping

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

2193

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

hexafluoroethane

Labels:

2.2

Remarks

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

UN number:

2193

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

hexafluoroethane

Labels:

2.2

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

Exposure controls

Engineering measures: Ensure adequate ventilation, especially in confined areas. Local exhaust should be used when large amounts are released.

Eye protection: Wear safety glasses or coverall chemical splash goggles. Eye protection complying with EN 166. or ANSI Z87.1. Additionally wear a face shield where the possibility exists for face contact due to splashing, spraying or airborne contact with this material.

Hand protection

Material: Leather gloves

The suitability for a specific workplace should be discussed with the producers of the protective gloves.

Material: Low temperature resistant gloves

Protective gloves complying with EN 374. or US OSHA guidelines

The choice of an appropriate glove does not only depend on its material but also on other quality features and is different from one producer to the other. Please observe the instructions regarding permeability and breakthrough time which are provided by the supplier of the gloves. Also take into consideration the specific local conditions under which the product is used, such as the danger of cuts, abrasion, and the contact time.

Skin and body protection: Wear suitable protective equipment. Wear as appropriate: impervious clothing

Protective measures: Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is required if a large release occurs. The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the substance at the specific workplace.

Hygiene measures: Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.

Respiratory protection: For rescue and maintenance work in storage tanks use self-contained breathing apparatus. Vapours are heavier than air and can cause suffocation by reducing oxygen available for breathing. Respiratory protection complying with EN 137.

Stability and reactivity

Reactivity: Decomposes on heating.

Chemical stability: The product is chemically stable.

Possibility of hazardous reactions: Stable under recommended storage conditions.  

Conditions to avoid: Avoid open flames and high temperatures. The product is not flammable in air under ambient conditions of temperature and pressure. When pressurised with air or oxygen, the mixture may become flammable. Certain mixtures of HCFCs or HFCs with chlorine may become flammable or reactive under certain conditions. Pressurized container: Do not pierce or burn, even after use. Do not spray on a naked flame or any incandescent material. Keep at temperature not exceeding 52 °C  

Incompatible materials: Alkali metals, Alkaline earth metals, Powdered metals, Powdered metal salts.

Hazardous decomposition products

Hazardous thermal decomposition products may include: Hydrogen fluoride, Carbon oxides, Fluorocarbons, Carbonyl fluoride.

Disposal considerations

Product: Can be used after re-conditioning. If re-conditioning is not practicable, dispose of in compliance with local regulations.

Contaminated packaging: Empty pressure vessels should be returned to the supplier. If recycling is not practicable, dispose of in compliance with local regulations.