MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)
SULPHUR DIOXIDE
(Please ensure that this MSDS is received by the appropriate person)
Page 1 of 3
DATE: April 2017 Version 3
Ref. No.: MS 026
1 PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION
Product Names
SULPHUR DIOXIDE
Synonym
Sulfurous Acid Anhydride
Chemical Formula
SO2
Trade Name
Sulphur Dioxide
Colour coding
Brunswick green (H.O7) body with a
Golden yellow (B49) shoulder Valve CGA
240 – Steel 3/8 inch 18 NGT right hand
female
Company Identification African Oxygen Limited
23 Webber Street
Johannesburg, 2001
Tel. No: (011) 490-0400
Fax No: (011) 490-0506
Emergency Number
0860 020 020 or
0860 111 185 [24 hours]
2 HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Main Hazards
All cylinders are portable gas containers, and must be regarded as
pressure vessels at all times. Sulphur dioxide is a highly irritating gas;
it readily elicits respiratory reflexes. It is intensely irritating to the
eyes, throat, and respiratory tract.
Adverse Health effects
Inhalation of this gas in concentrations of 8-12ppm in air causes
throat irritation, coughing, constriction of the chest, lachrimation, and
smarting of the eyes. A concentration of 150 ppm can be endured
only a few minutes, because of eye irritation and the effect on the
membranes of the nose, throat and lungs. Exposure to a
concentration of 500 ppm by volume in air for a few minutes is very
dangerous.
Chemical hazards
Sulphur dioxide dissolves in water forming sulphurous acid, which is
unstable toward heat. In many of its reactions, sulphur dioxide
behaves as a reducing agent.
Biological Hazards
Liquid Sulphur dioxide may cause skin and eye burns upon contact
with these tissues, which results from the freezing effect of the liquid
on the skin or eyes. Low (1%) concentrations of the vapour are
irritating to moist skin within a period of 3 minutes.
Vapour Inhalation
Acute exposure through inhalation may result in dryness and irritation
of the nose and throat, choking, sneezing, coughing, and
bronchospasm. Severe overexposure may cause death through
systemic acidosis, from pulmonary oedema, or from respiratory
arrest.
Eye Contact
Corneal burns, opacification of the cornea, and blindness may result
if liquid Sulphur dioxide is splashed in the eyes. Sulphur dioxide can
penetrate the intact cornea and cause iritis.
Skin Contact
Liquid sulphur dioxide can cause frostbite and skin burns, and it
converts to sulphurous acid in moist environments, which may cause
skin irritation.
Ingestion
Severe burns to the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal system may
occur.
3 COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
Chemical Name
Sulphur Dioxide
Chemical Family
Inorganic, acidic gas
CAS No.
7446-09-5
UN No.
1079
ERG No.
125
Hazchem Warning Toxic and corrosive gas
4 FIRST AID MEASURES
Move victims of sulphur dioxide inhalation to fresh air. If breathing
has ceased, begin artificial respiration immediately. Administer
oxygen if exposure has been severe and breathing is difficult. Skin
exposure first aid treatment includes flushing the contaminated skin
with copious amounts of water, and continuing as required in order to
control burning sensation. Medical attention should be sought if
irritation persists, or if skin is broken or blistered. In the event of eye
contact, flush eyes immediately with copious amounts of water for at
least 15 minutes. Eyelids should be held apart to ensure complete
irrigation. Seek medical attention immediately.
5 FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
Extinguishing Media
As sulphur dioxide is non-flammable, the correct extinguishing media
should be used for the surrounding fire.
Specific Hazards
Water should never be sprayed at or into a tank or system which is
leaking sulphur dioxide. The presence of water causes sulphur
dioxide to be very corrosive, and water directed into a tank would also
increase the venting rate.
Emergency Actions
A sulphur dioxide container exposed to a fire should be removed. If
for any reason it cannot be removed, the container should be kept
cool with a water spray until well after the fire is out. Fire fighting
personnel should be equipped with protective clothing and respiratory
equipment. CONTACT THE NEAREST AFROX BRANCH.
Protective Clothing
Exposed fire fighters should wear approved self- contained breathing
apparatus with full face mask.
Environmental Precautions
When sulphur dioxide is released to the environment, the appropriate
regulatory agency should be notified. In the event of a release
however, provincial, municipal, and/or local reporting regulations
must be complied with. It is most important that the response groups
in the area affected be notified as quickly as possible.
6 ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Personal Precautions
It is essential that every facility handling sulphur dioxide has an
emergency plan outlining the actions that employees should take in
case of specific emergencies. These actions should include alerting
fellow employees and area emergency control groups of the nature
and extent of the emergency. The plan should also include co-
ordination procedures with area emergency control groups in the
event of a major release. If, despite all precautions, persons should
become trapped in a sulphur dioxide atmosphere, they should
breathe as little as possible and open their eyes only when
necessary. Partial protection may be gained by holding a wet cloth
over the nose and mouth.
Environmental Precautions
Only personnel trained for and designated to handle emergencies
should attempt to stop a leak. Respiratory equipment of a type
suitable for sulphur dioxide must be worn. All persons not so
equipped must leave the affected area until the leak has been
stopped.
