Hydrocarbons, C4

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

Product-Specific hazards and other issues :

-This product is of low acute toxicity.

- Simple asphyxiant, high concentrations can displace oxygen and cause drowsiness and dizziness.

- Possible cardiac sensitization.

- Sudden release of this material from pressurized vessels may result in cryogenic burns (frostbite).

- Remove contaminated clothes except in the case of frostbite.

* Note 1 for Liquified Petroleum Gases, Sweetened_Cas No. 68476-86-8

a) If the substance contains Butadiene at >=0.1% then add phrases:

- Contains 1,3 butadiene.

- Product is genotoxic.

- May cause cancer by inhalation.

*Note 2 for Fuel Gases_Cas No. 68476-26-6

a) If the substance contains CO >0.3% then add phrases:

-One or more components of this mixture may cause central nervous system effects (fatigue, dizziness, headache, collapse, coma and death) and, possibly cardiac sensitization.

General advice :

- Always observe self protection methods.

- Move out of dangerous area.

- Get medical attention immediately.

- Show the material safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.

Inhalation :

- Remove to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.

- Do not leave the victim unattended.

- Keep patient warm and at rest.

- Immediately seek medical attention.

- If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.

- If unconscious place in recovery position and seek medical advice.

- In the event of unconsciousness, apnea or cardiac arrest (no pulse) apply cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Skin contact :

- Non-irritating to the skin.

- Dermal contact with rapidly evaporating liquid could result in freezing of the tissues or frostbite.

- If frostbite has occurred, seek medical attention immediately; do not rub the affected area or flush with water.  To prevent further damage, do not attempt to remove frozen clothing from affected area.  

- If frostbite has not occurred, immediately and thoroughly wash contaminated skin with soap and water.

Eye contact :

- This gas is non-irritating; but direct contact with liquified/pressurized gas or frost particles may produce severe and possibly permanent eye damage from freeze burns.

- If eye tissue is frozen, seek medical attention immediately.  

- If tissue is not frozen, thoroughly flush the eyes with large amounts of clean low-pressure water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids.  

- If irritation persist seek medical attention.

Ingestion :

- This product is a compressed gas; hence oral exposure and resulting acute toxicity are unlikely.

Advice to Physician :

- Treat symptomatically.

- Treatment of overexposure should be directed at the control of symptoms and the clinical condition of the patient.

- Simple asphyxiant.

- High vapor concentrations may cause central nervous system (CNS) depression with symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, headache, loss of coordination, loss of consciousness, coma and death.

- Epinephrine and other sympathomimetic drugs may initiate cardiac arrhythmias (irregular beating) in persons exposed to this material.

- Skin or eye irritation is not likely, but evaporating liquid might cause frost injuries.

- Look for evidence of frostbite.

- Treat frost-bitten areas as needed.

*Note 3 for Fuel Gases_Cas No. 68476-26-6

a) If the substance contains CO >0.3% then add phrases:

-Monitor carboxyhemoglobin levels.

Fire-fighting measures

Suitable extinguishing media:

Small fires :

- Use dry chemicals,  CO2, sand

Large fires :

- Use water spray or fog.

Unsuitable extinguishing media :

- Do not use a solid water stream as it may scatter and spread fire.

Combustion products :

- Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, smoke, fumes and unburned hydrocarbons.

Specific hazards during fire-fighting :

- Vapors may travel long distances along the ground before reaching a source of ignition and flashing back.

- When mixed with air and exposed to ignition source, vapors can burn in open or explode if confined.

- Contents under pressure and can explode when exposed to heat or flames.

- When exposed to open flames or high heat, it can burn and explode.

- Sustained fire attack on vessels may result in a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion (BLEVE).

- Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.

- Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders 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.

- Leaking gas fire: Do not extinguish, unless leak can be stopped safely.

- Potential explosion hazard from reignition, if fire is put out without shutting off source.

- Always stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.

- Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk.

- Fire residues and contaminated fire extinguishing water must be disposed of in accordance with local regulations.

Special protection equipment for fire-fighters :

- Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

- Structural firefighters protective clothing will only provide limited protection.

- Always wear thermal protective clothing when handling refrigerated/cryogenic liquids.

Accidental release measures

Personal precautions :

- Use personal protective equipment.

- Ensure adequate ventilation.

- Eliminate all ignition sources if safe to do so.

- Evacuate personnel to safe areas.

- Beware of vapors accumulating to form explosive concentrations.  Vapors can accumulate in low areas.

- Enter area only if strictly necessary. A combustible gas detector can be used to check for flammable gas or vapors.

Environmental precautions :

- Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.

- Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.

- If the product contaminates rivers and lakes or drains inform respective authorities.

Methods for cleaning up :

- Eliminate all sources of ignition.

- Let evaporate.

- Isolate area until gas has dispersed.

- All equipment used when handling this product must be grounded.

- Do not touch or walk through spilled material.

- Stop leak if you can do it without risk.

- If possible, turn leaking container so that gas escapes rather than liquid.

- Suppress (knock down) gases/vapors/mists with a water spray jet.

- Water spray may reduce vapor; but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces.

- Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.

- Spillages of liquid product in the water will likely result in a quick and complete vaporization of the product.  Isolate the area and prevent fire/explosion hazard for ships and other structures, taking into account wind direction and speed, until the product is completely dispersed.

- Note: recommended measures are based on the most likely spillage scenarios for this material; however, local conditions (wind, air temperature, wave/current direction and speed) may significantly influence the choice of appropriate actions.  For this reason, local experts should be consulted when necessary.  Local regulations may also prescribe or limit actions to be taken.

- In those cases when the presence of dangerous amounts of H2S in the leaked/spilled product is suspected or proved, additional or special actions may be warranted, including access restrictions, use of special protection equipment, procedures and personnel training.

Handling and storage

Handling

Advice on safe handling :

- Sudden release of this material from pressurized vessels may result in cryogenic burns (frostbite).

- While moving cylinder, always keep in place removable valve cover.

- Securely chain cylinders when in use and protect against physical damage.

- If inspection shows cylinders in poor condition, immediately contact supplier.

- Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. - No smoking.

- Keep container tightly closed when not in use.

- Take necessary action to avoid static electricity discharge (which might cause ignition of organic vapors).

- Use only non-sparking tools.

- Bond and ground all equipment before transferring this material from one container to another.

- The vapor is heavier than air. Beware of accumulation in pits and confined spaces.

- Use only in well ventilated areas.

- Wear recommended personal protective equipment.

- Contact with liquid and with containers and delivery lines from which LPG has just been drawn, should be avoided to prevent cold burns.

- Keep away from direct sunlight.

- Empty containers may contain flammable product residues. Do not weld, solder, drill, cut or -perform similar operations on or near containers.

- Ensure that all relevant regulations regarding explosive atmospheres, and handling and storage facilities of flammable products are followed.

Advice on protection against fire and explosion :

- Keep away from open flames, hot surfaces and sources of ignition.

- Use special care to avoid static electric charges.

Fire-fighting class :

- Flammable gas

Storage :

- Protect against physical damage. Isolate from oxidizing gases especially chlorine. Store in cool, well ventilated, place away from all possible sources of ignition and combustible materials. Protect against lightning and static electricity.

- Store cylinders outdoors without direct sunlight or heat radiation and  with adequate ventilation. Provide electrical equipment with spark resistant construction.

- Securely chain cylinders when in use and protect against physical damage.

- Ensure that all relevant regulations regarding explosive atmospheres, and handling and storage facilities of flammable products are followed.

- Empty container may contain flammable product residues.  Do not weld, solder, drill, cut or perform similar operations on or near containers.

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

UN-Number : 1965

Shipping

Labels:

Labels : 2.1

SpecialProvisions

Inland waterway transport (UN RTDG/ADN(R))

UN number:

UN-Number : 1965

Shipping

Labels:

Labels : 2.1

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

UN-Number : 1965

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Description of the goods : Hydrocarbon Gas Mixture, Liquefied, n.o.s. (Isobutane, Butane)

Chemical name:

Hydrocarbon Gas Mixture, Liquefied, n.o.s. (Isobutane, Butane)

Labels:

Labels : 2.1

Remarks

Shipping

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

Engineering measures :

- Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to keep airborne levels below recommended exposure limits.

Personal protective equipment :

Respiratory protection :

- If exposure can potentially exceed the exposure limit(s) respiratory protection recommended or approved by appropriate local, state or international agency must be used.

- Use only approved supplied air or self-contained breathing apparatus operated in positive pressure mode.

- If needed, wear a supplied air respirator conforming to a European norm standard such as EN 139 or equivalent.

Hand protection :

- Wear insulated gloves if contact with liquid is possible.

- The selected gloves must satisfy the European norm standard EN 511 for protection against the cold.

Eye protection :

- Use chemical type goggles and face shield when handling liquefied gases.

- The selected goggles or glasses must satisfy the European norm standard EN 166.

Skin and body protection :

- Fire retardant clothing is appropriate for routine occupational use.

- Clothing such as insulated impervious gloves to protect against exposure to cold liquid or gas should be worn.

- Choose body protection according to the amount of the dangerous substance at the work place.

- Use PPE that is chemical resistant to the product and prevents skin contact.

Hygiene measures :

- Selection of appropriate personal protective equipment should be based on an evaluation of the performance characteristics of the protective equipment relative to the task(s) to be performed, conditions present, duration of use, and the hazards and/or potential hazards that may be encountered during use.

- Emergency eye wash fountains and safety showers should be available in the immediate vicinity of any potential exposure.

- Use good personal hygiene practices.

- Wash hands before eating, drinking, smoking or using toilet facilities.

- Take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.

Environmental exposure controls

- An authoritative evaluation of environmental exposure and risk indicates that no special risk management practices are needed to control environmental release.

Stability and reactivity

Conditions to avoid :

- Heat, sparks, open flame, other ignition sources, and oxidizing conditions.

Materials to avoid :

- Strong oxidizing agents.

- Halogenated hydrocarbons.

- Nitrogen Dioxide.

- Fluoride compounds.

- Halogens (bromine, chlorine, fluorine).

- Metal catalysts.

Thermal decomposition :

- Thermal decomposition may produce oxides of carbon and other toxic gases and liberate heat and pressure.

Hazardous reactions :

- Not expected to occur.

- Vapors may form explosive mixture with air.

- Note: This material is stable when properly handled and stored.

Disposal considerations

- Comply with applicable local, state or international regulations concerning solid or hazardous waste disposal and/or container disposal.

- Contaminated product, soil, water, container residues and spill cleanup materials may be hazardous wastes.

- Contaminated product, soil or water should be considered dangerous due to potential evolution of flammable vapor.

- Proper grounding procedures to avoid static electricity should be followed.

- The product should not be allowed to enter drains, water courses or the soil.