Haz-Map: Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents

Exposure Assessment
Agent Name	Helium
CAS Number	7440-59-7
Formula	He
Major Category	Other Chemicals
Synonyms	Atomic helium; Helium; Helium-4; O-Helium; p-Helium; [ChemIDplus] UN1046; UN1963
Category	Simple Asphyxiants
Description	An inert gas that is colorless and odorless; [ACGIH]
Sources/Uses	Used as an inert gas in arc welding; Also used in balloons, airships, lamps, electronic tubes, and cryogenic applications; [ACGIH] Also used to replace nitrogen in breathing supply of high-pressure divers and as a coolant for nuclear reactors; [Merck Index # 4630] Also used for leak detection, growing crystals (germanium and silicon), transferring heat, and producing lasers; [Hawley]
Comments	Simple asphyxiant; Evaporating liquid can cause frostbite; [ICSC]
Skin Designation (ACGIH)	Not evaluated
Explanatory Notes	No TLV because the concentration of oxygen is the important factor; [ACGIH]
Adverse Effects
Other Poison	Simple Asphyxiant
Links to Other NLM Databases
Health Studies	Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: HELIUM
Toxicity Information	Search TOXNET
Chemical Information	Search ChemIDplus
Biomedical References	Search PubMed
Related Information in Haz-Map
Diseases	Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: Asphyxiation, simple
Processes	Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Semiconductor Manufacturing Welding