METHANE
SYNONYMS:
BIOGAS;
EEC No. 601-001-00-4; EINECS No. 200-812-7; FIRE DAMP; MARSH GAS; METHANE GAS;
METANO (Spanish); METHYL HYDRIDE; NATURAL GAS; P-10 GAS; R50
IDENTIFICATION:
CAS:
74-82-8
DOT ID:
UN1971;
UN1972 (cryogenic gas)
Hazard Class or Division:
2.1 (FLAMMABLE GAS)
ERG Guide:
115
Formula:
CH4
RTECS No:
PA1490000
Properties:
Extremely
flammablecompressed gas, or cryogenic liquid. Colorless. No odor, or a weak
skunklike odor. Liquid floats and "boils" on water; insoluble.
Flammable visible vapor cloud is produced. Vapor is lighter than air; will
collect in low areas.
Uses:
Constituent
of illuminating and natural gas (@ 85% methane); in manufacture of carbon
black.
HEALTH & SAFETY INFORMATION
•
Methane is a simple asphyxiant. Gas not irritating to eyes, nose or throat. If
inhaled, will cause dizziness, difficult breathing, or drowsiness and loss of
consciousness. Loss of containment of this liquid causes supersaturation of the
air and a serious risk of suffocation in confined areas. Rapid evaporation of
the liquid may cause frostbite.
Respirator:
At
any concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any
detectable concentration:
SCBAF:PD,PP
(any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is
operated in a pressure-demand or other positivepressure mode) SAF:PD,PP:ASCBA
(any suppliedair respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a
pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an
auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a pressure-demand or
other positive-pressure mode).
Escape:
GMFOV
[any airpurifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style,
front-or back-,mounted organic vapor canister] SCBAE (any appropriate
escape-type, selfcontained breathing apparatus).
Reactivity:
Forms
an explosive mixture with air. Violent reaction with strong oxidizers, bromine
pentafluoride, chlorine dioxide, nitrogen trifluoride, liquid oxygen, and
oxygen difluoride.
FIRE INFORMATION:
Exposures of cylinders to fire or flame may cause cylinders to
rupture and rocket through storage area. If material or contaminated runoff
enters waterways, notify downstream users of potentially contaminated water.
Hazard Classifications:
Health Hazard (Blue)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Flammability (Red)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Reactivity (Yellow)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Flash
Point: Flammable gas
Flammable
Limits in Air: LEL 5.0%; UEL 15.0%
Autoignition
Temperature: 1004°F (540°C)
FIRST AID:
Move
victim to fresh air. Call emergency medical care. Apply artificial respiration
if victim is not breathing. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove
and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. 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 warm and quiet. Keep victim under
observation. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s)
involved, and take precautions to protect themselves.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
•
Clean Air Act: Accidental Release Prevention/Flammable substances, (Section
112[r], Table 3), TQ = 10,000 lb (4540 kg).
•
California LOL: N