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Safety and Health Topics: |
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| Methane |
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General Description
Synonyms: Methyl hydride; Marsh gas; Fire Damp
OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1640
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 74-82-8
NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: PA1490000
Chemical Description and Physical Properties: Colorless, compressed or liquefied gas, with no odor.
molecular formula: CH4
molecular weight: 16.05
boiling point: -161°C
vapor pressure: 258574 mm Hg @ 37.8°C
melting point: -183°C
Potentially hazardous incompatibilities: Reacts violently with chlorine dioxide and liquid oxygen; and powerful oxidizers such as, bromine pentafluoride, chlorine trifluoride, chlorine, fluorine, iodine heptafluoride, dioxygenyl tetrafluoroborate, dioxygen difluoride, trioxygen difluoride, and liquid oxygen. It is incompatible with halogens or interhalogens. It will react with bromine in light (explosively in direct sunlight).
Exposure Limits
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): Simple Asphyxiant
Health Factors
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans
Potential symptoms: Drowsiness; unconsciousness; frostbite (from liquid form).
Health Effects: Simple asphyxiant (HE17); Explosive (HE18)
Affected organ: Skin (contact with liquid form)
Date Last Revised: 06/27/2003
Literature Basis:
- (symptoms)
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Methane.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:
device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: AUER/MSA
model/type: Natural Gas, MSA P/N 655789
sampling information: follow manufacturer’s instructions
upper measurement limit: semi-quantitative
detection limit: approx. 5000 ppm
overall uncertainty: unknown
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Dräger
model/type: Natural Gas Test, order no. CH 20001
sampling information: 2 strokes
upper measurement limit: qualitative test
detection limit: approx. 0.5% vol.
overall uncertainty: n.a.
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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| Revised: 14 October 2003 |
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