2 . 4
R e f r i g e r a n t s s a f e t y d a t a s h e e t
Denomination:
R134a (1,1,1,2 - tetrafluoroethane).
INDICATION OF HAZARDS
Major hazards:
Suffocation.
Specific hazards:
Unknown.
FIRST AID MEASURES
General information:
Do not attempt to administer liquids or solids to persons who have lost consciousness.
Inhalation:
Move victims to the open air. Use oxygen or artificial respiration if necessary. Do not
administer adrenaline or similar substances.
Contact with the eyes:
Wash thoroughly with plenty of clean water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical
assistance.
Contact with the skin:
Wash immediately in plenty of clean water.
Remove contaminated clothing immediately.
FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES
Means of extinction:
Any.
Specific hazards:
Pressure rise.
Specific methods:
Cool containers with water spray.
MEASURES IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENTAL LEAKAGE
Individual precautions:
Evacuate personnel to safe muster points. Provide adequate ventilation. Use means of
personal protection.
Environmental precautions:
Evaporates.
Cleaning methods:
Evaporates.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling
Technical measures/ precautions: Use exclusively in well-ventilated places.
Recommendations for safe use:
Pressure test. Do not perform any pressure tests with air/R134a mixtures. The refrigerant
may form a combustible mixture with air at pressures above atmospheric pressure when
the ratio by volume is greater than 60%.
Storage:
Close properly and store in a cool, dry well-ventilated place.
CONTROL OF EXPOSURE/INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION
Control parameters:
1000 ppm v/v or ml/m3 as weighted average over an 8 hour period.
Respiratory protection:
For rescue and maintenance work in tanks, use autonomous breathing apparatus.
The vapours are heavier than air and can cause suffocation, reducing the oxygen
available for breathing.
Protection of the eyes:
Safety spectacles.
Protection of the hands:
Rubber gloves.
Hygiene measures:
Do not smoke.
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Colour:
Colourless.
Odour:
Similar to ether.
Boiling point:
-26.5 °C / -15.7 °F at atmospheric pressure.
Flash point:
Non-flammable.
Relative density:
1.21 kg/l at 25°C.
Water solubility:
0.15% by weight at 25 °C at atmospheric pressure.
STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Stability:
No reactivity if used in compliance with the relative instructions.
Materials to avoid:
Alkaline metals, alkaline earth metals, granulated metal salts, Al, Zn, Be, etc. in powder
form.
Hazardous decomposition
products:
Halogen acids, traces of carbonyl halides.
TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Acute toxicity:
ALC/inhalation/4 hours/in rat = 567 ml/l.
Local effects:
concentrations significantly above 1000 ppm v/v can cause narcotic effects. Inhalation of
products in decomposition can lead to respiratory difficulty (pulmonary oedema).
Long-term toxicity:
No carcinogenic, teratogenic, or mutagenic effects observed in laboratory animals.