Subject: Re: cylinders

From: Daniel Moore <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 23 Sep 1996 10:29:44 -0400

At 09:50 AM 9/23/96 -0400, you wrote:
><I have one from some smaller O2 cylinders, just right for a bell. If 
><you use these cut them with a hack saw in case they had something 
><flammable (read explodable) inside.
><-- 
>A friend gave me a small acetylene plumbers setup, from her late father's
>shop. The tank is too old to be useful so I was thinking about making her
>a bell from it, just for nostalgia reasons.
>
>I know these things have some kind of core, but can I saw it open and just
>dump the core out?
>
>Bill Pate.
>
>

Bill,

The short answer is "it's up to you but be very, very careful".
The core is, or was at one time, saturated with acetone, a flamable
liquid in addition to the acetylene.  If the cylinder has been sitting
open for years the acetone should have volatilized.  If the cylinder
has been closed then chances are that the acetone (and acetylene) are
still in there.  In that case you would be best off taking the cylinder
to a welding supply for emptying.  Disposing of the acetone can be
problematic.  It is illegal to pour it on the ground or send it to a
landfill.  Schools often pour small amounts into the city sewer systems
but I don't know if this practice is legal and a cylinder-full isn't
a small amount.  You could use it up as parts cleaner I guess.
The MSDS for acetone is included below.  I shamelessly ripped it off
from the Fisher Chemical Company's website at www.fisher1.com.

Dan 

        **** SECTION 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION ****

MSDS Name: Acetone

Synonyms:
     Dimethylformaldehyde, dimethyl ketone, 2-propanone, pyroacetic acid,
     pyroacetic ether

For CHEMTREC assistance, call: 800-424-9300

          **** SECTION 2 - COMPOSITION, INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS ****

+------------+------------------------------------+---------+-----------+
|    CAS#    |               Chemical Name        |    &#37;    |  Einecs#  |
|------------|------------------------------------|---------|-----------|
|     67-64-1|2-propanone                         |99       |200-662-2  |
+------------+------------------------------------+---------+-----------+

                  **** SECTION 3 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION ****

                               EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
Appearance: Colorless, highly volatile liquid with a sweetish odor. Da
nger! Extemely flammable liquid FP=-4F (-20C). Causes irritation to ey
es, skin, and respiratory tract. Causes central nervous system depress
ion. May cause liver and kidney damage. Toxic effects are enhanced by
ethanol.

Target Organs: Kidneys, central nervous system, liver, respiratory
system.

Potential Health Effects
     Eye:
          Produces irritation, characterized by a burning sensation, redness,
          tearing, inflammation, and possible corneal injury.
     Skin:
          Exposure may cause irritation characterized by redness, dryness, and
          inflammation.
     Ingestion:
          May cause irritation of the digestive tract.
          May cause central nervous system depression, kidney damage, and
          liver damage.
          Symptoms may include: headache, excitement, fatigue, nausea,
          vomiting, stupor, and coma.
     Inhalation:
          Inhalation of high concentrations may cause central nervous system
          effects characterized by headache, dizziness, unconsciousness and
          coma.
          Causes respiratory tract irritation.
          May cause liver and kidney damage.
          May cause motor incoordination and speech abnormalities.
     Chronic:
          Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis.
          Chronic inhalation may cause effects similar to those of acute
          inhalation.

                    **** SECTION 4 - FIRST AID MEASURES ****

     Eyes:
          Flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes,
          occasionally lifting the upper and lower lids.
          Get medical aid immediately.
     Skin:
          Flush skin with plenty of soap and water for at least 15 minutes
          while removing contaminated clothing and shoes.
          Get medical aid if irritation develops or persists.
     Ingestion:
          If victim is conscious and alert, give 2-4 cupfuls of milk or water.
          Get medical aid immediately.
     Inhalation:
          Get medical aid immediately. Remove from exposure to fresh air
          immediately. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If
          breathing is difficult, give oxygen.
     Notes to Physician:
          Treat symptomatically and supportively.
          No specific antidote exists.

                  **** SECTION 5 - FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES ****

     General Information:
          Containers can build up pressure if exposed to heat and/or fire.
          As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in
          pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full
          protective gear.
          Vapors can travel to a source of ignition and flash back.
          Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool.
     Extinguishing Media:
          For small fires, use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray or
          alcohol-resistant foam.
          For large fires, use water spray, fog, or alcohol-resistant foam.
     Autoignition Temperature: 33_F (0.56_C)
     Flash Point: -4_F (-20.00_C)
     Explosion Limits, Lower: 2.5
                       Upper: 12.8

                **** SECTION 6 - ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES ****

     General Information: Use proper personal protective equpiment as indicated
                          in Section 8.
     Spills/Leaks:
          Absorb spill with inert material, (e.g., dry sand or earth), then
          place into a chemical waste container. Wear appropriate protective
          clothing to minimize contact with skin. Remove all sources of
          ignition.

                   **** SECTION 7 - HANDLING and STORAGE ****

     Handling:
          Wash thoroughly after handling.
          Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.
          Use with adequate ventilation.
          Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing.
          Empty containers retain product residue, (liquid and/or vapor), and
          can be dangerous. Do not pressurize, cut, weld, braze, solder,
          drill, grind, or expose such containers to heat, sparks or open
          flames.
     Storage:
          Keep away from sources of ignition.
          Store in a tightly closed container.

          **** SECTION 8 - EXPOSURE CONTROLS, PERSONAL PROTECTION ****

     Engineering Controls:
          Use process enclosure, local exhaust ventilation, or other
          engineering controls to control airborne levels below recommended
          exposure limits.

                                 Exposure Limits
+--------------------+-------------------+-------------------+-----------------+
|   Chemical Name    |        ACGIH      |       NIOSH       |OSHA - Final PELs|
|--------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-----------------|
| 2-propanone        |750 ppm ; 1780     |250 ppm TWA; 590   |1000 ppm TWA; 240|
|                    | mg/m3; 1000 ppm   | mg/m3 TWA         |0 mg/m3 TWA      |
|                    | STEL; 2380 mg/m3  |                   |                 |
|                    |STEL               |                   |                 |
+--------------------+-------------------+-------------------+-----------------+

     OSHA Vacated PELs:
          2-propanone:
          750 ppm TWA; 1800 mg/m3 TWA; 1000 ppm STEL; 2400 mg/m3 STEL

     Personal Protective Equipment

                 Eyes:
                       Wear chemical goggles and face shield.
                 Skin:
                       Wear appropriate gloves to prevent skin exposure.
             Clothing:
                       Wear polyethylene gloves, apron, and/or clothing.
          Respirators:
                       Follow the OSHA respirator regulations found in 29CFR
                       1010.134. Always use a NIOSH-approved respirator when
                       necessary.

             **** SECTION 9 - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES ****

Physical State:             Liquid
Appearance:                 Colorless, highly volatile liquid.
Odor:                       Sweetish.
pH:                         7
Vapor Pressure:             180 mm Hg
Vapor Density:              2.0 (Air=1)
Evaporation Rate:           7.7 (n-Butyl acetate=1)
Viscosity:                  Not available
Boiling Point:              133.2_F
Freezing/Melting Point:     -139.6_F
Decomposition Temperature:  Not available.
Solubility:                 Not available.
Specific Gravity/Density:   0.79 (Water=1)
Molecular Formula:          C3H6O
Molecular Weight:           58.0414

                 **** SECTION 10 - STABILITY AND REACTIVITY ****

     Chemical Stability:
          Stable.
     Conditions to Avoid:
          High temperatures, temperatures above 220_C.
     Incompatibilities with Other Materials:
          Forms explosive mixtures with hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid, nitric
          acid, nitric acid+sulfuric acid, chromic anhydride, chromyl chloride,
          nitrosyl chloride, hexachloromelamine, nitrosyl perchlorate, nitryl
          perchlorate, permonosulfuric acid, thiodiglycol+hydrogen peroxide.
     Hazardous Decomposition Products:
          Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.
     Hazardous Polymerization: Has not been reported.

                **** SECTION 11 - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION ****

     RTECS#:
          CAS# 67-64-1: AL3150000
     LD50/LC50:
          CAS# 67-64-1: Inhalation, rat: LC50 =50100 mg/m3/8H; Oral, mouse:
          LD50 = 3 gm/kg; Oral, rabbit: LD50 = 5340 mg/kg; Oral, rat: LD50 =
          5800 mg/kg; Skin, rabbit: LD50 = 20 gm/kg.
     Carcinogenicity:
       2-propanone -
          Not listed by ACGIH, IARC, NIOSH, NTP, or OSHA.
     Epidemiology:
          No information available.
     Teratogenicity:
          No information available.
     Reproductive Effects:
          Fertility: post-implantation mortality.  Ihl, mam:
          TCLo=31500 ug/m3/24H (1-13D preg)
     Neurotoxicity:
          No information available.
     Mutagenicity:
          Cytogenetic analysis: hamster fibroblast, 40 g/L            Sex chromo
          some loss/non-disjunction: S.cerevisiae, 47600    ppm
     Other Studies:
          None.

                  **** SECTION 12 - ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION ****

     Ecotoxicity:
          Rainbow trout LC50=5540 mg/L/96H
          Sunfish (tap water), death at 14250 ppm/24H
          Mosquito fish (turbid water) TLm=13000 ppm/48H
     Environmental Fate:
          Volatilizes, leeches, and biodegrades when released to soil.
     Physical/Chemical:
          No information available.
     Physical/Chemical:
          None.

                 **** SECTION 13 - DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS ****

Dispose of in a manner consistent with federal, state, and local regulations.
RCRA D-Series Maximum Concentration of Contaminants: Not listed.
RCRA D-Series Chronic Toxicity Reference Levels: Not listed.
RCRA F-Series: Not listed.
RCRA P-Series: Not listed.
RCRA U-Series: waste number U002 (Ignitable waste)
This material is banned from land disposal according to RCRA.

                  **** SECTION 14 - TRANSPORT INFORMATION ****

     US DOT
          Shipping Name: ACETONE
           Hazard Class: 3
              UN Number: UN1090
          Packing Group: II
     IMO
          Shipping Name: ACETONE
           Hazard Class: 3.1
              UN Number: 1090
          Packing Group: 2
     IATA
          Shipping Name: ACETONE
           Hazard Class: 3
              UN Number: 1090
          Packing Group: 2
     RID/ADR
          Shipping Name: ACETONE
   Dangerous Goods Code: 3(3B)
              UN Number: 1090
     Canadian TDG
          Shipping Name: ACETONE
           Hazard Class: 3
              UN Number: UN1090
      Other Information: FLASHPOINT -20 C

                  **** SECTION 15 - REGULATORY INFORMATION ****

A. Federal
     TSCA
          CAS# 67-64-1 is listed on the TSCA inventory.
        Health &#38; Safety Reporting List
          None of the chemicals are on the Health &#38; Safety Reporting List.
        Chemical Test Rules
          None of the chemicals in this product are under a Chemical Test Rule.
        Section 12b
          None of the chemicals are listed under TSCA Section 12b.
        TSCA Significant New Use Rule
          None of the chemicals in this material have a SNUR under TSCA.
     CERCLA/SARA
        Section 302 (RQ)
          None of the chemicals in this material have an RQ.
        Section 302 (TPQ)
          None of the chemicals in this product have a TPQ.
        Section 313
     Section 313:
          This material contains 2-propanone (CAS# 67-64-1, 99&#37;),which is
          subject to the reporting requirements of Section 313 of SARA Title
          III and 40 CFR Part 373.
     Clean Air Act:
          This material does not contain any hazardous air pollutants.
          This material does not contain any Class 1 Ozone depletors.
          This material does not contain any Class 2 Ozone depletors.
     Clean Water Act:
          None of the chemicals in this product are listed as Hazardous
          Substances under the CWA.
          None of the chemicals in this product are listed as Priority
          Pollutants under the CWA.
          None of the chemicals in this product are listed as Toxic Pollutants
          under the CWA.
     OSHA:
          None of the chemicals in this product are considered highly hazardous
          by OSHA.
B. State
     2-propanone can be found on the following state right to know lists:
     California, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, Minnesota,
     Massachusetts.
     California No Significant Risk Level:
     None of the chemicals in this product are listed.
C. International
   Canada
          CAS# 67-64-1 is listed on Canada's DSL/NDSL List.
          CAS# 67-64-1 is listed on Canada's Ingredient Disclosure List.
     European Labeling in Accordance with EC Directives
          Hazard Symbols: Not available.
          Risk Phrases:
          Safety Phrases:
     Exposure Limits:
          OEL-AUSTRALIA:TWA 500 ppm (1185 mg/m3);STEL 1000 ppm. OEL-AUSTRIA:TWA
          750 ppm (1780 mg/m3). OEL-BELGIUM:TWA 750 ppm (1780 mg/m3);STEL 1000 p
          p. OEL-CZECHOSLOVAKIA:TWA 800 mg/m3;STEL 4000 mg/m3. OEL-DENMARK:TWA 2
          50 ppm (600 mg/m3). OEL-FINLAND:TWA 500 ppm (1200 mg/m3);STEL 625 ppm
          (1500 mg/m3). OEL-FRANCE:TWA 750 ppm (1800 mg/m3). OEL-GERMANY:TWA 100
          0 ppm (2400 mg/m3). OEL-HUNGARY:TWA 600 mg/m3;STEL 1200 mg/m3. OEL-IND
          IA:TWA 750 ppm (1780 mg/m3);STEL 1000 ppm (2375 mg/m3). OEL-JAPAN:TWA
          200 ppm (470 mg/m3). OEL-THE NETHERLANDS:TWA 750 ppm (1780 mg/m3) JAN9
          . OEL-THE PHILIPPINES:TWA 1000 ppm (2400 mg/m3). OEL-POLAND:TWA 200 mg
          /m3. OEL-RUSSIA:TWA 200 ppm;STEL 200 mg/m3. OEL-SWEDEN:TWA 250 ppm (60
          0 mg/m3);STEL 500 ppm (1200 mg/m3). OEL-SWITZERLAND:TWA 750 ppm (1780
          mg/m3). OEL-TURKEY:TWA 1000 ppm (2400 mg/m3). OEL-UNITED KINGDOM:TWA 1
          000 ppm (2400 mg/m3);STEL 1250 ppm. OEL IN BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN,
          KOREA check ACGIH TLV. OEL IN NEW ZEALAND, SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check A
          CGI TLV

                  **** SECTION 16 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ****

     Additional Information:
          No additional information available.
     MSDS Creation Date: November 30, 1994
     The information above is believed to be accurate and represents the best
     information currently available to us. However, we make no warranty of
     merchantability or any other warranty, express or implied, with respect to
     such information, and we assume no liability resulting from its use. Users
     should make their own investigations to determine the suitability of the
     information for their particular purposes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---

From: "[email-masked] 415.855.5707" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 09:25:51 -0800 (PST)

Carefull - I think the filler material in the older acetylene cyls was
asbestos...