Version: 3

SAFETY DATA SHEET Revision date: 2022-09-12

Argon PG-SDS-07
Bulk & Compressed
This SDS conforms to the Globally Harmonised System (GHS), South African Regulations on Hazardous
Chemical Agents and SANS 10234, SANS 11014 & SANS 10228.
SECTION 1: PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION
Product name Argon

Chemical Name Argon

Other means of identification Shielding gas, Argon 40, Extendapak Argon, ADDvance Argon 5.0

Recommended Intended Purpose The product is used in various applications and may include - Technical
processes, Food Industry and Medical Industry. Always use as intended.

Company Information Puregas (Pty) Ltd

PO Box 123884, Alrode, 1451, Gauteng, South Africa
Tel: (011) 903 9760
Fax: (011) 903 9766
Cellphone: 082 889 6946 (1st)
071 263 7446 (2nd)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.puregas.co.za

Emergency Telephone 0800 172 743

Rapid Spill Response - 24 hours, 7 days a week

SECTION 2. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

Classification of the substance - GHS classification as published through ECHA
Hazard Classification Category Hazard Statement
Gases under pressure (Comp.) 2.2 H280 Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated
Gases under Pressure (Ref. Liq) 2.2 H281 Contains refrigerated gas, may cause cryogenic burns or
injury
Hazard Pictograms

GHS04
Signal Word Warning
Precautionary Statements
General: P101 If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand
P102 Keep out of reach of children
P103 Read carefully and follow all instructions
Prevention P202 Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood.
P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face
protection.
Response P304 + P340 + IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for
P313 breathing. Get medical advice/attention
Storage P403 Store in a well-ventilated place.
Disposal None
Main Hazard Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated.
Flammability Non-Flammable
Health Hazard nausea, vomiting, tingling sensation, suffocation, coma, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, loss
of coordination, unconsciousness, fatigue, impairment of judgment, irregular heartbeat.

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 Version: 3
SAFETY DATA SHEET Revision date: 2022-09-12
Argon PG-SDS-07
Bulk & Compressed
Other Hazards Asphyxiant in high concentrations. May cause frostbite or freezing of skin.

SECTION 3. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

Substance
CAS No EC No Name
7440-37-1 231-147-0 Argon, Compressed
UN Number: 1006

SECTION 4. FIRST AID MEASURES

In case of inhalation If adverse effects occur, remove to uncontaminated area. Give artificial
respiration if not breathing. If breathing is difficult, oxygen should be
administered by qualified personnel. Get immediate medical attention

In case of skin contact Wash exposed skin with soap and water.

In case of eye contact Flush eyes with plenty of water.

In case of ingestion If a large amount is swallowed, get medical attention.

Treatment (Advice to doctor) For Inhalation, consider oxygen

SECTION 5. FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES

Fire / Explosion hazard: Negligible fire hazard. Pressurized containers may rupture or explode if
exposed to heat.

Suitable extinguishing media Use extinguishing agents appropriate for surrounding fire.
Use spray water to keep containers cool.

Unsuitable extinguishing media None Known

Special hazards arising from the Wear full protective firefighting gear including self-contained breathing
substance apparatus (SCBA) for protection against possible exposure.

Special protective equipment for Move container from fire area if it can be without risk. Cool containers with
fire-fighters water spray until well after the fire is out. Stay away from the ends of tanks.
Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety device or
any discoloration of tanks due to fire. For tank, rail car or tank truck,
evacuation radius: 800 meters. Use extinguishing agents appropriate for
surrounding fire. Cool containers with water spray until well after the fire is
out. Apply water from a protected location or from a safe distance. Do not
get water directly on material. Reduce vapors with water spray. Avoid
inhalation of material or combustion by-products. Stay upwind and keep out
of low areas. Consider downwind evacuation if material is leaking.

SECTION 6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

Personal precautions Wear personal protective clothing and equipment, see Section 8.

Environmental precautions Keep unnecessary people away, isolate hazard area and deny entry.

Methods and material for Avoid release to the environment. Avoid heat. Ventilate closed spaces
containment and cleaning up before entering. Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists.

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 Version: 3
SAFETY DATA SHEET Revision date: 2022-09-12
Argon PG-SDS-07
Bulk & Compressed
SECTION 7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
Precautions for safe handling Avoid breathing gas. Use only with adequate ventilation

Requirements for storage rooms Store and handle in accordance with all current regulations and standards.
and vessels Protect from sunlight. Store in a well – ventilated area. Keep separated from
incompatible substances.

SECTION 8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION

No exposure limits available
Respiratory protection Keep self-contained breathing apparatus readily available for emergency use.
In case of rescue and maintenance activities in storage containers use
environment - independent breathing apparatus because of risk of suffocation by
edging out of air oxygen

Hand protection Leather gloves – suitable for freezing condition

Eye protection Safety goggles.

Skin and body protection Safety shoes with steel toe. Long sleeves and pants.
Engineering Controls Engineering control measures are preferred to reduce exposure to oxygen
depleted atmospheres. General methods include forced-draft ventilation,
separate from other exhaust ventilation systems. Ensure that sufficient fresh air
enters at or near floor level.

SECTION 9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Physical state Colourless liquified gas
Colour Colourless
Odour odourless
Taste Tasteless
pH None
Molecular Weight 39.948
Molecular Formula Ar
Melting point Not applicable
Boiling point - 186 °C
Freezing point - 189 °C
Auto-ignition temperature Not available
Decomposition temperature Not available
Flammability (solid, gas) Not applicable
Vapour pressure 500 MMHG@ -190 °C
Vapour density 1.380
Density 1.784 G/L @ 0 °C
Solubility : Water 3.36% @ 20 °C
Viscosity 0.0225 Cp @ 25 °C

SECTION 10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

Reactivity No reactivity hazard other than the effects described in sub-sections below
Stable under normal conditions

Chemical Stability Stable under normal conditions.

Possibility of Hazardous reactions Do not subject storage containers to rapid heating or excessive
temperatures. The dilution of oxygen in the atmosphere to levels which
cannot support life.

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 Version: 3
SAFETY DATA SHEET Revision date: 2022-09-12
Argon PG-SDS-07
Bulk & Compressed
Conditions to avoid Never use cylinders as rollers or supports, or for any other purpose than
the storing argon. Never expose the cylinders to excessive heat, as this may
cause sufficient build-up of pressure to rupture the cylinders

Incompatible materials Using this product in welding and cutting may create additional hazards.
The arc from electric arc
welding may form gaseous reaction products such as carbon monoxide and
carbon dioxide. Ozone
and nitrogen oxides may be formed by the radiation from the arc. Other
decomposition products of
arc welding and cutting originate from the volatilization, reaction, and
oxidization of the material
being worked.

Hazardous decomposition None

products.

SECTION 11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Information on toxicological effects
Acute toxicity: Not classified
Germ cell mutagenicity: Not classified
Carcinogenicity: Not classified
Reproductive toxicity: Not classified

SECTION 12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

No ecological damage caused by this product.

SECTION 13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

Waste treatment methods:
Small amounts may be blown to the atmosphere under controlled conditions. Large amounts should only be
handled by the gas supplier
Packaging: The disposal of cylinders must only be handled by the gas supplier

SECTION 14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION

UN Pictogram

Land and inland navigation transport ADR/RID

UN No. 1006, Shipping Name Argon, Class 2.2, Subsidiary Risk Non-flammable, non-toxic gases, Hazchem Warning
2C Non-flammable Gas.

Marine transport IMDG

MDG 1006, Shipping Name Argon, , Class 2.2, Subsidiary Risk Non-flammable, non-toxic gases, Label Non-
flammable Gas.

Air transport ICAO/IATA-DGR

ICAO/IATA Code 1006, Class 2.2, Packing Group: - Packaging instructions - Cargo: allowed - Passenger: allowed

Special precautions for user

The protective measures listed in Sections 6, 7 and 8 of the Safety Data Sheet have to be considered.

SECTION 15. REGULATORY INFORMATION

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 Version: 3
SAFETY DATA SHEET Revision date: 2022-09-12
Argon PG-SDS-07
Bulk & Compressed
Safety, health and environmental regulations/legislation specific for the substance or mixture:
Occupational Health and Safety Act, Hazardous Chemical Agents Regulations
SANS 11014:2010 Edition 1
SANS 10228:2012 Edition 6
SANS 10234:2019 Edition 2
SUPPLEMENT TO SANS 10234 Edition 1
National Road Traffic Act
Dangerous Goods Regulations

SECTION 16. OTHER INFORMATION

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Data sheets as supplied by various Suppliers and Manufacturers
2. Emergency Response Handbook - Annex A of SABS 0232-3
3. GHS Purple booklet
4. ECHA
5. Occupational Health and Safety Act, Hazardous Chemical Agents Regulations
6. SANS 11014:2010 Edition 1
7. SANS 10228:2012 Edition 6
8. SANS 10234:2019 Edition 2
9. SUPPLEMENT TO SANS 10234 Edition 1
10. National Road Traffic Act
11. Dangerous Goods Regulations

Disclaimer:
This information is based on our current knowledge and is intended to describe the product for the purposes of
health, safety and environmental requirements only. It should not therefore be construed as guaranteeing any
specific property of the product.

The SDS copy is controlled through Puregas website (www.puregas.co.za) and any downloaded copies are deemed uncontrolled. 5