Section 2 - Composition, Information on Ingredients

CAS#	Chemical Name	Percent	EINECS/ELINCS
109-99-9	Tetrahydrofuran	99.5+	203-726-8

Section 3 - Hazards Identification

Appearance: colorless liquid. Flash Point: -14 deg C.
Danger! Highly flammable. Causes eye and respiratory tract irritation. May form explosive peroxides. Hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air).
Target Organs: Kidneys, central nervous system, liver, respiratory system, eyes, skin.


Potential Health Effects
Eye: Contact with eyes may cause severe irritation, and possible eye burns. Vapors may cause eye irritation. Damage may be permanent.
Skin: Causes skin irritation. May be absorbed through the skin. If absorbed, causes symptoms similar to those of inhalation. THF is not a skin sensitizer in animals.
Ingestion: May cause gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. May cause central nervous system depression.
Inhalation: Inhalation of high concentrations may cause central nervous system effects characterized by nausea, headache, dizziness, unconsciousness and coma. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Inhalation may cause coughing, difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. Causes irritation of the mucous membrane and upper respiratory tract. Inhalation of tetrahydrofuran vapors may cause abnormal liver function as detected by laboratory tests. (Dupont)
Chronic: Prolonged or repeated eye contact may cause conjunctivitis. Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause defatting and dermatitis. May cause liver and kidney damage. May cause lung damage. Narcotic in high concentrations. Data show carcinogenic activity in the liver and kidneys of laboratory animals. The kidney tumors were by a mechanism that has no relevance in humans.

Section 4 - First Aid Measures

Eyes: In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for a t least 15 minutes. Get medical aid immediately.
Skin: In case of contact, flush skin with plenty of water. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical aid if irritation develops and persists. Wash clothing before reuse.
Ingestion: If swallowed, do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical aid.
Inhalation: If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical aid.
Notes to Physician: Treat symptomatically and supportively. Persons with skin problems or liver, kidney, lung, or blood diseases may be at increased risk from exposure to this substance.

Section 5 - Fire Fighting Measures

General Information: As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full protective gear. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Forms peroxides of unknown stability. Extremely flammable liquid and vapor. Vapor may cause flash fire. Vapors are heavier than air and may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. Vapors can spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas.
Extinguishing Media: Water may be ineffective. In case of fire, use carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder or appropriate foam.
Flash Point: -14 deg C ( 6.80 deg F)
Autoignition Temperature: 321 deg C ( 609.80 deg F)
Explosion Limits, Lower:2.0 vol %
Upper: 11.8 vol %
NFPA Rating: (estimated) Health: 2; Flammability: 3; Instability: 1

Section 6 - Accidental Release Measures

General Information: Use proper personal protective equipment as indicated in Section 8.
Spills/Leaks: Absorb spill with inert material (e.g. vermiculite, sand or earth), then place in suitable container. Use water spray to dilute spill to a non-flammable mixture. Avoid runoff into storm sewers and ditches which lead to waterways. Remove all sources of ignition. Use a spark-proof tool. Isolate area and deny entry. Provide ventilation. A vapor suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors.

Section 7 - Handling and Storage

Handling: Wash thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Ground and bond containers when transferring material. Empty containers retain product residue, (liquid and/or vapor), and can be dangerous. Take precautionary measures against static discharges. Keep container tightly closed. Do not pressurize, cut, weld, braze, solder, drill, grind, or expose empty containers to heat, sparks or open flames. Use only with adequate ventilation. Keep away from heat, sparks and flame. Avoid breathing vapor or mist. Do not get in eyes. Avoid contact with skin and clothing.
Storage: Keep away from heat, sparks, and flame. Store in a cool place in the original container and protect from sunlight. Keep under a nitrogen blanket. Keep from contact with oxidizing materials. Flammables-area. Store protected from moisture. Containers should be dated when opened and tested periodically for the presence of peroxides. Should crystals form in a peroxidizable liquid, peroxidation may have occurred and the product should be considered extremely dangerous. In this instance, the container should only be opened remotely by professionals. All peroxidizable substances should be stored away from heat and light and be protected from ignition sources.

Section 8 - Exposure Controls, Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Use explosion-proof ventilation equipment. Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower. Use adequate general or local exhaust ventilation to keep airborne concentrations below the permissible exposure limits.
Exposure Limits

Chemical Name	ACGIH	NIOSH	OSHA - Final PELs
Tetrahydrofuran	50 ppm TWA; 100 ppm STEL; Skin - potential significant contribution to overall exposure by the cutaneous r oute	200 ppm TWA; 590 mg/m3 TWA 2000 ppm IDLH	200 ppm TWA; 590 mg/m3 TWA

OSHA Vacated PELs: Tetrahydrofuran: 200 ppm TWA; 590 mg/m3 TWA
Personal Protective Equipment
Eyes: Wear appropriate protective eyeglasses or chemical safety goggles as described by OSHA's eye and face protection regulations in 29 CFR 1910.133 or European Standard EN166.
Skin: Wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent skin exposure.
Clothing: Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin exposure.
Respirators: A respiratory protection program that meets OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.134 and ANSI Z88.2 requirements or European Standard EN 149 must be followed whenever workplace conditions warrant respirator use.

Section 9 - Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical State: liquid
Appearance: colorless
Odor: ether-like
pH: ~7 (in aq soln)
Vapor Pressure: 145 mm Hg @ 20 deg C
Vapor Density: 2.5 (air = 1)
Evaporation Rate:>1 (Butyl Acetate = 1)
Viscosity: 0.48 cP @ 20C
Boiling Point: 66 deg C
Freezing/Melting Point:-108.5 deg C
Decomposition Temperature:Not available.
Solubility: Soluble.
Specific Gravity/Density:0.89
Molecular Formula:C4H8O
Molecular Weight:72.10

Section 10 - Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Under normal storage conditions, peroxidizable compounds can form and accumulate peroxides which may explode when subjected to heat or shock. This material is most hazardous when peroxide levels are concentrated by distillation or evaporation. THF should never be distilled to dryness.
Conditions to Avoid: Light, ignition sources, moisture, excess heat, evaporating to near dryness, confined spaces.
Incompatibilities with Other Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, oxygen, bromine, metal halides, lithium tetrahydroaluminate, borane, sodium aluminum hydride, sodium tetrahydroaluminate, caustic alkalis.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.
Hazardous Polymerization: May occur.

Section 11 - Toxicological Information

RTECS#:      
CAS# 109-99-9: LU5950000
LD50/LC50:
CAS# 109-99-9:
     Inhalation, rat: LC50 = 21000 ppm/3H;
     Oral, rat: LD50 = 1650 mg/kg;
.

Carcinogenicity:
CAS# 109-99-9:

• ACGIH: A3 - Confirmed animal carcinogen with unknown relevance to humans
  
• California: Not listed.
  
• NTP: Not listed.
  
• IARC: Not listed.