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2.12. R404A / R452A GAS SAFETY SHEET
• Identification of dangers
High exposure to inhalation can have anaesthetic
effects. Very high exposure can cause anomalies of the
heart beat and cause sudden death. The neubulised or
sprayed product can cause cold burns to the eyes or
skin. Dangerous for the ozone layer.
• First aid measures
Inhalation
Move the accident victim away from exposure and keep
him/her warm and rested. Give oxygen if necessary.
Perform artificial respiration if breathing stops or gives
signs of stopping. In the case of cardiac arrest, perform
external cardiac compression.
Request immediate medical assistance.
Contact with the skin
Thaw the affected areas using water.
Remove contaminated clothing.
Attention: clothing can stick to the skin in the case of
cold burns. In the case of contact with the skin, wash
immediately with plenty of warm water. If symptoms
occur (irritation or the formation of blisters) request
medical assistance.
Contact with the eyes
Wash immediately with an eyewash or clean water,
keeping the eyelids open for at least 10 minutes.
Request immediate medical assistance.
Ingestion
Do not induce vomiting.
If the accident victim is conscious, rinse the mouth with
water and make him/her drink 200-300 ml of water.
Request immediate medical assistance.
Further medical care
Symptomatic treatment and support therapy when
indicated. Do not give adrenalin and similar
sympathomimetic drugs following exposure, due to the
risk of cardiac arrhythmia with possible cardiac arrest.
• Fire-prevention measures
Not inflammable.
The heat decomposition causes the emission of very
toxic and corrosive vapours (hydrogen chloride,
hydrogen fluoride). In the case of fire, use respiratory
aids and suitable protective clothing.
Extinguishers
Use extinguishing agents that are appropriate for the
fire.
• Use extinguishing agents that are appropriate for
the fire.
Inhalation
Higher atmospheric concentrations can cause anaesthetic
effects with possible loss of consciousness.
Very high exposure can cause anomalies of the heart
beat and cause sudden death.
Higher concentrations can cause asphyxia due to the
reduced content of oxygen in the atmosphere.
Contact with the skin
Sprays of liquid and the nebulised liquid can cause
cold burns.
It is improbable that it is dangerous due to cutaneous
absorption.
Repeated and prolonged contact can cause the removal
of sebaceous matter, with consequent dryness, cracking
and dermatitis.
• Ecological information
It decomposes relatively quickly in the lower atmosphere
(troposphere). The decomposition products are highly
dispersed and therefore have a very low concentration.
Does not affect photochemical smog (i.e. it does not lie
within the volatile organic compounds -VOC- according to
that established by the UN/ECE agreement).
The ozone destruction potential (ODP) is 0 for both R404A
and R452A measure in comparison with a standard ODP
equal to 1 for the cfc11 (according to uNeP definitions).
The Global Warming Potential of the gas is 3260 for
R404A and 2141 for R452A.
The substance is governed by the Montreal Protocol
(revision dated 1992).
The discharges of the product into the atmosphere do
not cause contamination of waters in the long term.
• Considerations regarding disposal
The best solution consists in recovery and recycling of
the product.
If this is not possible, destruction must take place in an
authorised plant equipped to absorb and neutralise the
acid gases and the other toxic products.
• Measures in the case of accidental leaks
Ensure adequate personal protection (with the use of
means of protection for the respiratory tract) during the
elimination of spills.
If the conditions are sufficiently safe, isolate the source
of the leak. In the presence of spills of modest size,
leave the material to evaporate on the condition that
there is suitable ventilation.
Large leaks
-ventilate the area;
-contain the leaking material with sand, earth or other
suitable absorbent material;
-prevent the liquid from penetrating drains, sewers,
basements and work holes, because the vapours can
create a suffocating atmosphere.
• Handling
Avoid the inhalation of high concentrations of vapours.
The atmospheric concentrations must be reduced to a
minimum and kept at the minimum level reasonably
possible, below the professional exposure limit.
The vapours are heavier than the air and therefore the
formation of high concentrations near to the ground is
possible, where ventilation is usually low. In these cases,
ensure adequate ventilation or wear suitable protection
devices for the respiratory tract with air reserve. Avoid
contact with naked flames and hot surfaces as irritant and
toxic decomposition products can be formed. Avoid
contact between the liquid and the eyes/skin.
