Helium

1.64 g/L

Liquid helium has unique thermodynamic properties ... Refractive index 1,026, density 0.125 and is called a "quantum fluid" because it exhibits atomic properties on a macroscopic scale. Its BP is near absolute zero and viscosity is 25 micropoises (water = 10,000). He II, formed on cooling HE I below its transition point, has the usual property of superfluidity, extremely high thermal conductivity, and viscosity approaching zero.

0.147 @ -270.8°C

Colorless gas

Liquid helium (He-4) exists in 2 forms: He-4 I and He-4 II, with a sharp transition point at 2.174 K (3.83 cm Hg)

1.5mg/L

Very slightly soluble in water: at 0 °C, 0.97 mL/100 mL; at 50 °C, 1.08 mL/100 mL

Insoluble in ethanol

In water, 2.50 mg/L at 21 °C

2.5 mg/L @ 21C (exp)

Solubility in water, ml/100ml at 20 °C: 0.86

This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 0.4% (2 of 491) of reports.

Warning

H280 (65.6%): Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated [Warning Gases under pressure]

P282, P336+P317, P403, and P410+P403 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 491 reports by companies from 6 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Warning

Chemical: Helium

Helium is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Helium are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

Helium: Non hazardous

The New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act requires public and private employers to provide information about hazardous substances at their workplaces. (N.J.S.A. 34:5A-1 et. seq.)

Non-Flammable Gas

Non-Flammable Gas

Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

· Non-flammable gases.

· Non-flammable gases.

Not combustible. Heating will cause rise in pressure with risk of bursting.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

· Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation without warning, especially when in closed or confined areas.

· Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation without warning, especially when in closed or confined areas.

1963 120

1046 120

Not Chemically Reactive

Not Chemically Reactive

Chemically inert. These substances undergo no chemical reactions under any known circumstances. They are nonflammable, noncombustible and nontoxic. They can asphyxiate.

These substances undergo no chemical reactions under any known circumstances. They are nonflammable, noncombustible and nontoxic. They can asphyxiate. Contact of very cold liquefied gas with water may result in vigorous or violent boiling of the product and extremely rapid vaporization due to the large temperature differences involved. If the water is hot, there is the possibility that a liquid "superheat" explosion may occur. Pressures may build to dangerous levels if liquid gas contacts water in a closed container, [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980].

Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media. In case of fire: keep cylinder cool by spraying with water.

Fresh air, rest. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer for medical attention.

ON FROSTBITE: rinse with plenty of water, do NOT remove clothes. Refer for medical attention .

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· Do not touch or walk through spilled material.

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· Do not touch or walk through spilled material.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

General First Aid:

General First Aid:

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide. Special protective equipment for firefighters: Wear self contained breathing apparatus for fire fighting if necessary.

Use water spray to cool unopened containers.

If material involved in fire: Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty.) Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. /Helium compressed; Helium refrigerated liquid/

Personal precautions: Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Environmental precautions: Do not let product enter drains. Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up: Clean up promptly by sweeping or vacuum.

Ventilation. NEVER direct water jet on liquid. Personal protection: self-contained breathing apparatus. /Helium (liquefied, cooled)/

Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 120 [Gases - Inert (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Product: Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.

Release to atmosphere.

Dizziness. Lethargy. Headache. Suffocation.

ON CONTACT WITH LIQUID: FROSTBITE.

ON CONTACT WITH LIQUID: FROSTBITE.

Helium is a product of the nuclear fusion reactions that are the prime source of stellar energy; it is plentiful in the cosmos. The principal source of helium is certain natural gas fields(1). Except for hydrogen, helium is the most abundant element found throughout the universe(2).

Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona, Canada. Originally discovered in the sun's atmosphere (1868) and confirmed in the atmosphere of Jupiter.

Abundance in igneous rock of earth's crust: 3X10-3 ppm by weight; concentration in air: 5.24 ppm by volume. Identified in the spectrum of the sun's chromosphere ... Found in natural gas from which it is extracted on a commercial scale. Produced by the decay of radioactive elements: 1 kg uranium in its conversion into 865 g of lead forms 756 L of helium; also produced in nature by the bombardment of berylium, lithium, and other light elements with cosmic rays, x-rays, and high-speed protons and deuterons.

Helium is present at a level of only about 2 nano-moles per kg of seawater. Sources include helium dissolved from the atmosphere and helium that is released from volcanic or hydrothermal activity near the ocean floor(1).

The helium content of the atmosphere is about 1 part in 200,000(1). The content of He-3 and He-4 in the atmosphere is 6.8X10-10 mol% and 5.24X10-5 mol%, respectively. The content of He-4 in atmospheric noble gas is 0.56 mol%(2). The concentration of He-4 in dry air is reported as 5.24 uL/L(3).

The helium content of the atmosphere is about 1 part in 200,000(1). The content of He-3 and He-4 in the atmosphere is 6.8X10-10 mol% and 5.24X10-5 mol%, respectively. The content of He-4 in atmospheric noble gas is 0.56 mol%(2). The concentration of He-4 in dry air is reported as 5.24 uL/L(3).

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of simulated heliox diving at high altitudes on divers' blood cells, liver functions and renal functions. In this experiment, four divers lived for nine consecutive days in a dual-function high-low pressure chamber, which simulated air pressure at an altitude of 3,000 meters and at a 30-meter depth; an altitude of 4,000 meters and 30-meter depth; and at an altitude of 5,200 meters and 30 meters and 50 meters in depth. Total time underwater was 60 minutes. The subjects breathed heliox (with oxygen at 40% and helium at 60%) during the simulated 30-meter dive from zero altitude to 30 meters and while remaining underwater; they breathed air while ascending from 30 meters to 18. They breathed heliox (with oxygen at 26.7% and helium at 73.3%) in the simulated dive from zero altitude to 50 meters underwater, in remaining underwater and in ascending from 50 meters to 29; air while ascending from 29 meters to 18. Pure oxygen was breathed while ascending from 18 meters to the surface; then air. Results indicated: (1) the correlating indices of routine blood, liver and renal functions, and urine routine were all within normal reference ranges; and (2) the indices tested at other periods of time were not significantly different (p > 0.05) from the results at zero-meter level and 3,000-meter level. The study suggests that the heliox diving processes at different high altitudes simulated in this experiment have no significant impact upon divers' blood routine, liver functions and renal functions.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Although helium-related fatalities and concerns about potentially harmful effects of helium use have increased in recent years, virtually nothing is known about the epidemiology of helium inhalation in adolescents. This exploratory investigation examined the prevalence and correlates of helium inhalation in a large sample of at-risk youth. Study participants were 723 Missouri adolescents (M age = 15.5, SD = 1.2) in residential treatment for delinquent behavior. More than one-in-nine (N = 81, 11.5%) adolescents had inhaled helium with the intention of getting high, and one-third (N = 27, 34.2%) of helium users reported they actually did get high when they inhaled helium. Helium users were significantly more likely to be Caucasian, to live in rural/small town areas, and to have histories of mental illness, auditory hallucinations, and alcohol and marijuana use than nonusers. Helium users also reported significantly more current psychiatric distress, suicidality, traumatic life experiences, and antisocial attitudes, traits, and behaviors than nonusers. Helium inhalation was prevalent in this sample and many such users reported getting high while using helium. Helium users had psychosocial profiles similar to those of volatile solvent users, suggesting that they may be at substantial risk for a variety of adverse health outcomes.

/CASE REPORTS/ A 23-year-old man was found on a raised hide in lying position, the head wrapped in a plastic bag connected with a helium gas cylinder by a polypropylene tube. The autopsy did not show any specific findings nor did the routine toxicological analysis reveal significant information regarding the cause of death (BAC 0.9 mg/g, diphenhydramine 0.81 ug/mL in heart serum). For the detection of helium in the lungs, gas samples from both lungs were collected by a method ensuring minimal dilution. Gas analyses were performed using a GC-MS with a split-splitless injector and a headspace syringe. As carrier gas the commonly used helium was replaced by nitrogen. Helium was found in clearly elevated concentrations in gas samples from both lungs. Therefore, suffocation by breathing helium enriched, and thus oxygen deficient atmosphere, can strongly be assumed as the cause of death.

/CASE REPORTS/ Suicide by asphyxiation using helium is the most widely-promoted method of "self-deliverance" by right-to-die advocates. However, little is known about persons committing such suicides or the circumstances and manner in which they are completed. Prior reports of suicides by asphyxiation involving helium were reviewed and deaths determined by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to be helium-associated asphyxial suicides occurring between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2008 were included in a new case series examined in this article. The 10 asphyxial suicides involving helium identified in North Carolina tended to occur almost exclusively in non-Hispanic, white men who were relatively young (M age = 41.1 T 11.6). In 6 of 10 cases, decedents suffered from significant psychiatric dysfunction; in 3 of these 6 cases, psychiatric disorders were present comorbidly with substance abuse. In none of these cases were decedents suffering from terminal illness. Most persons committing suicide with helium were free of terminal illness but suffered from psychiatric and/or substance use disorders.

For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for HELIUM (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ In cats ventilated with He-O2 ventricular beats, during 1 hr after coronary occlusion, were significantly more premature than in cats ventilated with air.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ To determine whether breathing a mixture of 80% He-20% O2 affects the lung pressure-volume (PV) curve, eight anesthetized paralyzed dogs were studied in a volume-displacement plethysmograph. Static PV curves on air were compared with PV curves obtained after equilibration with He-O2. The He-O2 PV curves were significantly shifted upward by an average of 5% total lung capacity. There was no change in compliance, indicating that the shift was due to lung expansion rather than a change in elasticity. Pretreatment of the dogs with cyclooxygenase inhibitors abolished the PV shift with He-O2. Four dogs had PV curves recorded on air and a mixture of O2, SF6, and Ne, a gas mixture with the same density as air but with 45% greater viscosity. The PV curve shift was even greater than observed with He-O2 and could again be virtually abolished with a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. These results suggest that breathing a high-viscosity gas mixture results in alveolar duct dilatation due to the release of a prostaglandin bronchodilator. This may need to be taken into account in the analysis of flow augmentation with He-O2.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ The effects of long-term hyperbaric exposure on endocrine organ weight and histology and on epiphyseal-plate width were studied in growing male rats. Six groups of rats were exposed to 21 ATA He-O2 (200 mmHg O2), and six groups were maintained at 1 ATA as room-air controls. Each group contained eight rats. At intervals of of 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 12 weeks, one group was decompressed and studied along with a paired control group. Results indicated no changes in pituitary and adrenal gland weights. Testis weights were variable but histology and sperm content were normal. Only the accessory sex organs decreased significantly in weight; however, prostate and seminal vesicle histology were normal. Tibial epiphyseal-plate width was reduced in 21-ATA groups. These results suggest that long-term hyperbaric exposure has little effect on endocrine organs of the rat and observed weight changes are probably related to the reduced body weights.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ The effects of room-air normoxic (22 degrees C +/- 1 degree C), 1.2-ATA He-O2 (400 mmHg PO2, 29.0 degree C +/- 1 degree C), and 21-ATA He-O2 (400 mmHg PO2, 32.5 degrees C +/- 1 degree C) environments were investigated on the activity of drug-metabolizing enzyme systems in rat liver, as monitored by O-dealkylation and N-dealkylation reactions. Continuous exposure of rats to both He-O2 environments for 12 days significantly increased the in vitro activity of drug-metabolizing enzymes in liver preparations. The increase in the in vitro O-dealkylation of p-nitroanisole based on product formed X mg protein-1 X 20 min-1 was 32.2% (P less than 0.05) between normoxic animals and those exposed to 1.2 ATA He-O2, and 24.4% (P less than 0.01) in animals exposed to between 1.2 and 21 ATA He-O2. A significant increase of 48.8% (P less than 0.001) was noted between normoxic animals and those exposed to 21 ATA He-O2. Similar differences were noted if the data were expressed on the basis of 200 mg liver wet wt. The N-dealkylation of morphine based on product formed X mg protein-1 X 20 min-1 was significantly increased between animals kept at normoxic and at 1.2-ATA He-O2 conditions (17.6%, P less than 0.05) and between animals kept at normoxic and at 21 ATA He-O2 conditions (28.2%, P less than 0.05). No significant differences for N-dealkylation of morphine were noted between animal groups at 1.2 and those at 21 ATA He-O2 nor between any animal groups for N-dealkylation of cocaine.

For more Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for HELIUM (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

According to the 2006 TSCA Inventory Update Reporting data, the number of persons reasonably likely to be exposed in the industrial manufacturing, processing, and use of helium is 100 to 999; the data may be greatly underestimated(1).

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 75,526 workers (17,064 of these were female) were potentially exposed to helium in the US(1). Occupational exposure to helium may occur through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where helium is produced or used. Monitoring data indicate that the general population may be exposed to helium via inhalation of ambient air and inhalation contact with consumer products containing helium, specifically helium-filled balloons(SRC).

Immediate first aid: Ensure that adequate decontamination has been carried out. If patient is not breathing, start artificial respiration, preferably with a demand-valve resuscitator, bag-valve-mask device, or pocket mask, as trained. Perform CPR as necessary. Immediately flush contaminated eyes with gently flowing water. Do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on left side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration. Keep patient quiet and maintain normal body temperature. Obtain medical attention. /Simple asphyxiants and related compounds/

Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway (oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway, if needed). Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if necessary. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Anticipate seizures and treat if necessary ... . Use rapid rewarming techniques if frostbite occurs ... . /Simple asphyxiants and related compounds/

Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious or is in severe respiratory distress. Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias if necessary ... . Start IV administration of D5W /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Treat seizures with diazepam or lorazepam ... . /Simple asphyxiants and related compounds/

V - Various

QV - Various

Helium provides lung ventilation and prevents narrowing or collapse in respiratory units. It increases the tendency to laminar flow and reduces the resistance in turbulent flow, leading to more efficient penetration of gases to the distal alveoli, higher minute volumes and improved ventilation.

Due to its lower density, helium achieves more effective flow of gas due to lowered resistance to gas flow within the airways and reduces the work of breathing by decreasing the pressure gradient needed to achieve a turbulent flow. Helium has a higher diffusion coefficient for carbon dioxide relative to oxygen thus promotes exhalation of trapped carbon dioxide. This reduces hypercapnia and normalizes pH. Helium increases the coronary collateral circulation and enhances the vasodilatory effects of inhaled nitric oxide on pulmonary vessels. It is suggested to possess neuroprotective properties. Cardioprotective effects against ischemia are mediated through early and late preconditioning by exposing the myocardial tissues to short ischemic episodes. Studies show that helium is associated with activation of pro-survival signalling kinases and inhibition of the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP).

Respiration

Helium ... is quite insolubility in body tissues.

Used as an inert gas in arc welding; Also used in balloons, airships, lamps, electronic tubes, and cryogenic applications; [ACGIH] Also used to replace nitrogen in breathing supply of high-pressure divers and as a coolant for nuclear reactors; [Merck Index # 4630] Also used for leak detection, growing crystals (germanium and silicon), transferring heat, and producing lasers; [Hawley]

Welding [Category: Weld]

Liquid helium (the most volatile liquid known) as cryogen for the production of low temps, in MRI machines. Gas in manufacture of semiconducting devices; in detection devices for leaks in vacuum systems; in Ne-He lasers; in gas mixtures as the working fluid in plasma devices; in mixtures with Ne and Ar in Geiger counters. Q-Gas, a mixture of 98.7% He and 1.3% butane, has been used as a filing for gas-flow Geiger counters. Gas as a shield in gas tungsten-arc welding, in metal processing; substitute for N2 in synthetic breathing gas for deep sea divers and workers in high pressure conditions; coolant in high temperature nuclear reactors; carrier gas in gas-liquid and gas-solid chromatography; inert diluent; to create inert atmosphere; to fill balloons and airships

Cooling medium for nuclear reactors; gas for supersonic wind tunnels

Inert atmosphere (growing germanium and silicon crystals); magnetohydrodynamics; luminous signs; geological dating

Helium is essential to many high-technology processes ... the production of optical glass fibers, in which it serves as a coolant and as a carrier gas for the chlorine used for the removal of hydroxyl groups.

(1972) 6.48X10+8 GRAMS

(1975) 8.2X10+8 GRAMS

(1985) 1.27X10+7 cu m /Grade A Helium/

(1988) 18.4X10+6 cu m

For more U.S. Exports (Complete) data for HELIUM (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

(1985) No imports - US is a net exporter

(1986-1989) None

2023: 1,000,000 - <8,500,000 lb

(1972) 1.63X10+10 GRAMS

(1975) 4.69X10+9 GRAMS

(1988) Domestic sales: 53.0X10+6 cu m; Total sales: 71.4X10+6 cu m

(1989) Domestic sales: 57.8X10+6 cu m; Total sales: 79.9X10+6 cu m

For more U.S. Production (Complete) data for HELIUM (12 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

About 20% in welding; about 17% in purging & pressurizing rockets & spacecraft; about 17% as a research chem; about 8% as a heat transfer agent; about 6% in leak detection; about 6% as a component of synthetic breathing mixtures; about 5% in cryogenic applications; about 4% in chromatography; about 2% as a lifting gas; about 3% in other, misc applications (1975)

Cryogenic applications, 33%; Welding cover gas, 19%; Pressurizing & purging, 18%;

(1987, European) Low temperature technology, 37%; welding, 9%; pressurization and inerting, 7%; diving, 9%; chromatography, 15%; leak detection, 4%; balloons, 8%; heat exchange, 3%; artificial atmospheres, protective gases, 8%

(1997, Europe) Low temperature technology, 36%; welding, cutting, 14%; optical fibers, 8%; breathing mixtures, diving, 6%; analysis, 14%; leak detection, 9%; balloons, 7%; other uses, 6%

For more Consumption Patterns (Complete) data for HELIUM (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

The production of pure helium from natural gas requires three basic processing steps. First, is the removal of impurities. Water, carbon dioxide, and sulfides are removed by scrubbing with monoethanolamine and diethylene glycol, followed by drying with alumina. Then the natural gas is concentrated in helium as the higher boiling hydrocarbons are liquefied and collected. Crude helium, concentrated to perhaps 70% and containing nitrogen, argon, neon, and hydrogen, undergoes final purification at pressures up to 18.7 MPa (2700 psi). The crude material is chilled to 77 deg K in liquid nitrogen-cooled coils of a heat exchanger. Under the high pressure, the low temperature liquefies most of the remaining nitrogen and argon, allowing the helium together with last traces of nitrogen, neon, and hydrogen to separate. Evaporation of nitrogen reduces the temperature and nitrogen content of the helium before it passes into liquid-nitrogen-cooled adsorbers. Activated charcoal operating at liquid nitrogen temperatures or below is capable of adsorbing all nonhelium gases. Hence, passage through these adsorbers yields helium that exceeds 99.9999% in purity.

Helium may ... be separated from natural gas using a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) processes to recover helium at >99.99% purity. This type of process is probably less costly for the production of gaseous helium but might be uneconomical for liquefied helium production. The PSA process is widely used to produce specification pure helium from 85+% crude helium in conjunction with cryogenic enrichment of the 50% helium raffinate.

From natural gas, by liquefaction of all other components, followed by purification over activated charcoal.

Principal source of helium is certain natural gas fields. ... In the United States, recovery of helium is economical only for helium-rich gases containing more than ~0.3 vol% helium.

Produced in the decay of radioactive elements: 1 kg of uranium in its conversion into 865 g of lead forms 756 L of helium; also produced in nature by the bombardment of beryllium, lithium, and other light elements with cosmic rays, x-rays and high-speed protons and deuterons.

Grades: USP; Technical, 99.995% pure.

Commercial Specifications: Bureau of Mines, 99.997%; BB-H-1168a, 99.995%; MSFC-364, 99.995%; MIL-P-27407, 99.995%; Compressed Gas Association grades - D, 99.995%; E, 99.997; F, 99.999%; G, 99.9999%

Grade A (99.9975% or better).

Table: Helium Specifications (+: total < 1 ppm) [Table#1635]

Food additives

Food Additives -> FOOD_ADDITIVE; PROCESSING_AID -> JECFA Functional Classes

Wholesale and Retail Trade

Helium: ACTIVE

Fusion of hydrogen into helium provides energy of hydrogen bomb.

To date, attempts to react helium ... with other elements have failed.

By law all federal agencies are required to purchase their helium from the US Bureau of Mines

Because the helium-4 atom contains an even number of fermions, it is a boson. ... The helium-3 atom contains an odd number of fermions; thus it is itself a fermion.