Safety Data Sheet

Solchem® 134a
Version: 1.2 Date: August 2019

1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE SUBSTANCE / PREPARATION AND

COMPANY/UNDERTAKING

Identification of the substance or preparation

Product name : Solchem® 134a
Chemical characterisation : 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane
Synonym(s) : HFC-134a
Formula : CF3-CH2F
EC Number (EINECS) : 212-377-0

Company
Address :

Tel. :
Fax :

Use of the substance/preparation

Recommended uses : Refrigeration

2. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

Low acute toxicity. High exposures may cause an abnormal heart rhythm and prove suddenly fatal. Very high
atmospheric concentrations may cause anaesthetic affects and asphyxiation. Liquid splashes or spray may cause
freeze burns to skin and eyes

EC Classification

EC Directive 67/548/EEC Not classified

Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (CLP): Gases under pressure – Liquefied gas

Label Elements

Hazard statement(s) H280: Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated

Signal word(s) Warning

Hazard pictogram(s)

GHS04

Precautionary statement(s)
Storage P410 + P403: Protect from sunlight. Store in a well-ventilated place.

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Safety Data Sheet

Solchem® 134a
Version: 1.2 Date: August 2019

3. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

Alternative names: 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC 134a), R134a

Hazardous ingredient(s)

Hazardous ingredient CAS No. EC No. Concentration Hazard symbol(s) and

hazard statement(s)
1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC 134a) 000811-97-2 212-377-0 99.50% GHS04, H280

4. FIRST-AID MEASURES

The first aid advice given for skin contact, eye contact and ingestion is
applicable following exposures to the liquid or spray. Also see section 11.

Inhalation Remove patient from exposure, keep warm and at rest. Administer
oxygen if necessary. Apply artificial respiration if breathing has ceased or
shows signs of failing. In the event of cardiac arrest apply external
cardiac massage. Obtain immediate medical attention.

Skin contact Thaw affected areas with water. Remove contaminated clothing.
Caution: clothing may adhere to the skin in the case of freeze burns.
After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of warm water. If
irritation or blistering occur, obtain medical attention.

Eye contact Immediately irrigate with eyewash solution or clean water, holding the
eyelids apart for at least 10 minutes. Obtain immediate medical attention.

Ingestion Unlikely route of exposure. Do not induce vomiting. Provided the patient
is conscious, wash out mouth with water and give 200-300ml (half a pint)
of water to drink. Obtain immediate medical attention.

Further medical treatment Symptomatic treatment and supportive therapy as indicated. Adrenaline
and similar sympathomimetic drugs should be avoided following
exposure as cardiac arrhythmia may result with possible subsequent
cardiac arrest.

5. FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES

General HFC 134a is not flammable in air under ambient conditions of

temperature and pressure. Certain mixtures of HFC 134a and air when
under pressure may be flammable. Mixtures of HFC 134a and air under
pressure should be avoided. Certain mixtures of HFCs and chlorine may
be flammable or reactive under certain conditions. Thermal
decomposition will evolve very toxic and corrosive vapours (hydrogen
fluoride). Containers may burst if overheated.

Extinguishing media As appropriate for surrounding fire. Keep fire exposed containers cool by
spraying with water.

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Safety Data Sheet

Solchem® 134a
Version: 1.2 Date: August 2019

Fire Fighting Protective Equipment A self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing must be
worn in fire conditions. Also see section 8.

6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

Personal protection Ensure suitable personal protection (including respiratory protection)

during removal of spillages. Also see section 8.

General Provided it is safe to do so, isolate the source of the leak. Allow small
spillages to evaporate provided there is adequate ventilation. Large
spillages: Ventilate area. Contain spillages with sand, earth or any
suitable adsorbant material. Prevent liquid from entering drains, sewers,
basements and workpits since the vapour may create a suffocating
atmosphere.

7. HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling Avoid inhalation of high concentrations of vapours. Atmospheric levels

should be controlled in compliance with the occupational exposure limit.
Atmospheric concentrations well below the occupational exposure limit
can be achieved by good occupational hygiene practice. The vapour is
heavier than air, high concentrations may be produced at low levels
where general ventilation is poor. In such cases, provide adequate
ventilation or wear suitable respiratory protective equipment with positive
air supply. Avoid contact with naked flames and hot surfaces as
corrosive and very toxic decomposition products can be formed. Avoid
contact between the liquid and skin and eyes.

Avoid venting to atmosphere.

The fluorinated greenhouse gas R134a may be supplied in returnable

containers (drums/cylinders). The container contains fluorinated
greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol. Fluorinated
greenhouse gases in contains may not be vented to the atmosphere.
(Regulation (EC) No. 842/2006 of the European Parliament and the
Council on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases).

Process Hazards Liquid refrigerant transfers between refrigerant containers and to and
from systems can result in static generation. Ensure adequate earthing.
Certain mixtures of HFCs and chlorine may be flammable or reactive
under certain conditions. Care must be taken to mitigate the risk of
developing high pressures in systems caused by a temperature rise
when liquid is trapped between closed valves or in cases where
containers have been overfilled.

Storage Keep in a well ventilated place away from fire risk and avoid sources of
heat such as electric or steam radiators. Avoid storing near to the intake
of air conditioning units, boiler units and open drains.

Specific use Subject to Member State regulations, applicable uses are: refrigerant,
blowing agent, propellant, solvent.

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Safety Data Sheet

Solchem® 134a
Version: 1.2 Date: August 2019

8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION

General Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face protection. Wear
thermal insulating gloves when handling liquefied gases. In cases of
insufficient ventilation, where exposure to high concentrations of vapour
is possible, suitable respiratory protective equipment with positive air
supply should be used.

Eye Protection

Gloves

Occupational exposure limits

OEL CAS No LTEL LTEL STEL STEL Note

(8hr TWA ppm) (8hr TWA mg/m 3 ) (ppm) (mg/m 3 )
1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane 000811-97-2 1000 4240 - - WEL

9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Form Liquefied gas

Colour Colourless
Odour Slight ethereal
Solubility (water) Slightly soluble
Solubility (other) Soluble in: alcohols, chlorinated solvents, polyethylene glycol
Boiling point (°C) -26.2
Melting point (°C) -101
Vapour density (air=1) 3.66 at normal boiling point
Vapour pressure (mm Hg) 4270 at 20 oC
Specific gravity 1.22 at 20 oC

10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

Hazardous reactions Certain mixtures of HFCs and chlorine may be flammable or reactive
under certain conditions. Incompatible materials: finely divided metals,
magnesium and alloys containing more than 2% magnesium. Can react
violently if in contact with alkali metals and alkaline earth metals –
sodium, potassium, barium.

Hazardous decomposition Hydrogen Fluoride by thermal decomposition and hydrolysis

product(s)

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Safety Data Sheet

Solchem® 134a
Version: 1.2 Date: August 2019

11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Inhalation LC50 (rat) (4 hrs) > 500,000 pm (2,080,000 mg/m 3 ). High exposures
may cause an abnormal heart rhythm and prove suddenly fatal. Very
high atmospheric concentrations may cause anaesthetic effects and
asphyxiation.

Skin contact Liquid splashes or spray may cause freeze burns. Unlikely to be
hazardous by skin absorption.

Eye contact Liquid splashes or spray may cause freeze burns.

Ingestion Highly unlikely – but should this occur freeze burns will result

Long term exposure A lifetime inhalation study in rats has shown that exposure to 50,000
ppm resulted in benign tumours of the testis. The increased tumour
incidence was observed only after prolonged exposure to high levels and
is considered not to be of relevance to humans occupationally exposed
to HFC 134a at or below the occupational exposure limit.

12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Environmental fate and distribution High tonnage material produced in wholly contained systems. High
tonnage material used in open systems. Gas.

Persistence and degradation Decomposes comparatively rapidly in the lower atmosphere

(troposphere). Atmospheric lifetime is 14 years. Products of
decomposition will be highly dispersed and hence will have a very low
concentration. Does not influence photochemical smog (i.e. is not a VOC
under the terms of the UNECE agreement). Does not deplete ozone.
Has a Global warming Potential (GWP) of 1300 (relative to a value of 1
for carbon dioxide at 100 years) according to Annex I of Regulation
842/2006 on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases. Values in Annex I are
taken from the third assessment report (TAR) of the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (2001 IPCC GWP values). United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reporting GWP is
1300.

Effect on effluent treatment Discharges of the product will enter the atmosphere and will not result in
long term aqueous contamination.

13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

Recommended Best to recover and recycle. If this is not possible, destruction is to be in

an approved facility which is equipped to absorb and neutralise acid
gases and other toxic processing products.

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Safety Data Sheet

Solchem® 134a
Version: 1.2 Date: August 2019

14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION

Hazard label

Road/rail
UN No. 3159
ADR/RID Class 2.2
ADR/RID Proper Shipping Name 1,1,1,2-TETRAFLUOROETHANE (REFRIGERANT GAS R134a)

Sea
IMDG Class 2.2
Marine Pollutant Not classified as a marine pollutant

Air
ICAO/IATA 2.2

15. REGULATORY INFORMATION

Safety, health and environmental regulation/legislation specific for the substance or mixture

Regulations REGULATION (EC) No 1907/2006 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

AND OF THE COUNCIL of 18 December 2006 concerning the
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals
(REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending
Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93
and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council
Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC,
93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC.

Chemical safety assessment No data is available on this product.

16. OTHER INFORMATION

Full text of H-Statements referred to under section 3

H280 Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated

This MSDS is intended for only the selected countries to which it is applicable. For example, this MSDS is not
intented for use nor distribution within North America.
The information given corresponds to the current state of our knowledge and experience of the product, and is not
exhaustive. This applies to product which conforms to the specification, unless otherwise stated. In this case of
combinations and mixtures one must make sure that no new dangers can arise. In any case, the user is not
exempt from observing all legal, administrative and regulatory procedures relating to the product, personal
hygiene, and protection of human welfare and the environment.

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