Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

Identification

Product Name: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
Chemical Family: Hydrocarbons
Uses: Fuel for industry, transportation, and power generation
Contact for Emergency: Emergency services, hazardous materials response
CAS Number: 68410-63-9
Supplier: Energy companies, storage depots, pipeline operators, LNG terminals

Hazard Identification

Physical Hazards: Extremely flammable gas, explosive vapor-air combinations, vaporizes rapidly
Health Hazards: Asphyxiation risk in confined areas due to oxygen displacement, severe cold burns and frostbite
Environmental Hazards: Large spills can contribute to oxygen deficiency and affect aquatic ecosystems, vapor clouds spread rapidly near the ground
Warning Labels: Flammable gas symbol, cryogenic hazard, risk of serious injury from rapid vaporization
Hazard Classification: GHS and OSHA categories classify LNG as a flammable cryogenic liquid

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Main Component: Methane (typically 85–99%)
Other Hydrocarbons: Ethane, Propane, Butane, traces of Nitrogen and other inert gases
Impurities: Negligible, removed during liquefaction, but trace sulfur compounds possible
State: Colorless, odorless liquid at -162°C (-260°F) under pressure

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove to fresh air immediately, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult, call emergency services for asphyxiation symptoms
Skin Contact: Flush with lukewarm (not hot) water for cold burns or frostbite, do not rub affected area, seek medical care for deep tissue freezing
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with cool water for at least fifteen minutes, remove contact lenses if present, seek medical attention
Ingestion: Not a typical route of exposure due to rapid vaporization, but seek immediate care if suspected
Additional Care: Victims may require treatment for hypothermia due to severe cold exposure, ongoing oxygen monitoring advised

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, water fog (do not use water spray directly on the spill due to vapor spread)
Fire Hazards: Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air, flames can travel back to the gas source, flashback potential is high, explosive vapor clouds may spread beyond visible area
Fire-Fighting Instructions: Evacuate area, use self-contained breathing apparatus, protect against flash fires, cool cylinders or tanks with water from a safe distance
Protective Equipment Required: Full protective gear including thermal protection, positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus
Additional Hazards: Large-scale releases may cause boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE)

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Protection: Secure leak area, wear cryogenic gloves, goggles, and face protection, respiratory protection in case of vapor clouds
Environmental Precautions: Prevent gas from entering confined or poorly ventilated locations, isolate hazard area, avoid discharge into waterways
Containment Methods: Stop flow of gas if safety permits, ventilate area, use non-sparking equipment, evacuate downwind areas quickly
Cleanup Procedures: Allow spilled LNG to evaporate outdoors; in enclosed areas, use approved vapor recovery system
Spill Response: Trained personnel only, notify emergency services, implement site-specific incident response plans

Handling and Storage

Handling: Only trained personnel should handle, avoid sources of ignition, prevent contact with skin and eyes, manage static discharge risks, use equipment rated for cryogenic and flammable service
Storage Conditions: Store LNG in approved double-walled, vacuum-insulated tanks, secure area from unauthorized entry, keep cylinders upright and tightly closed, continuous gas detector monitoring in storage and transfer zones
Safe Work Practices: Ground and bond containers to prevent static, ensure ventilation in transfer and fueling areas, prohibit smoking or open flames
Separation from Incompatibles: Keep away from oxidizing agents, acids, hot surfaces, and unprotected electrical systems
Regular Inspection: Check storage equipment for leaks, pressure build-up, or frost accumulation signifying vaporization

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: Methane and LNG have no specific OSHA exposure limits, but limit exposure to prevent asphyxiation and cold injury
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation in enclosed sites, continuous monitoring for oxygen content and combustible gases, install ventilation alarms
Personal Protective Equipment: Cryogenically insulated gloves, face shields, safety goggles, flame-resistant clothing, safety boots
Respiratory Protection: Air supplied respirators or SCBA necessary in oxygen-deficient or poorly ventilated areas
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, remove contaminated clothing, inspect PPE before use, proper training in handling LNG before working with or near stored product

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid and vapor, odorless unless odorized
Boiling Point: -162°C (-260°F) at atmospheric pressure
Melting Point: -182°C (-296°F)
Vapor Pressure: Very high at ambient temperatures, vaporizes rapidly on release
Solubility: Extremely low in water, lighter than water in liquid form
Vapor Density: Less than air, vapors tend to rise in open environments but can collect in low spots indoors
Flash Point: Not applicable for liquid; gas mixture ignites at temperatures above -188°C (-306°F)
Molecular Weight: Around 16 for methane component
Explosive Limits: Lower explosion limit (LEL) 5%, upper explosion limit (UEL) 15% in air

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable at cryogenic temperatures, but rapidly vaporizes on warming, unstable if unprotected from heat or physical shock
Incompatibilities: Reactive with strong oxidizing agents, halogens, certain metals at high temperature
Hazardous Reactions: Risk of explosion or ignition if mixed with air and exposed to flame or spark
Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water during combustion
Polymerization: LNG does not polymerize
Conditions to Avoid: Open flames, sources of heat, electrolytic ignition devices, physical shocks to storage equipment

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin/eye contact
Effects from Short-Term Exposure: Dizziness, headache, nausea, risk of asphyxiation from oxygen deficiency, severe cold burns and frostbite
Effects from Long-Term Exposure: No known chronic health effects from methane, but repeated cold exposure leads to permanent tissue damage
Symptoms of Overexposure: Confusion, fatigue, loss of consciousness in confined spaces or poor ventilation
Carcinogenicity: LNG components are not listed as carcinogens by OSHA, IARC, or NTP
Special Populations: Persons with respiratory conditions or limited cold tolerance face increased risk

Ecological Information

Aquatic Effects: Rapid vaporization reduces potential for direct aquatic toxicity, but large losses can suffocate aquatic life by displacing oxygen
Mobility in Soil: LNG vaporizes before penetration, unlikely to contaminate groundwater
Persistence/Degradability: Methane dissipates quickly in the atmosphere but acts as a greenhouse gas with high global warming potential
Bioaccumulation: Not expected, does not accumulate in organisms
Long-Term Environmental Risks: Accidental releases contribute to atmospheric methane load, exacerbating climate change under unchecked operations

Disposal Considerations

Waste Management: LNG evaporates quickly to gas phase; controlled release in a safe, well-ventilated location away from flames and ignition sources
Contaminated Packaging: Clean thoroughly before recycling or disposal, contact hazardous waste management providers for tank and cylinder recycling
Environmental Precautions: Prevent uncontrolled discharge into confined or populated areas, avoid disposal near water intakes or sewers
Regulatory Compliance: Adhere strictly to local and federal requirements around flammable gas disposal, documented disposal procedures recommended for large scale removal

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 1972
Proper Shipping Name: Methane, refrigerated liquid (liquefied natural gas)
Transport Hazard Class: 2.1 (Flammable gas)
Packing Group: Not applicable for gases
Transport Labels: Flammable gas, cryogenic liquid labeling required
Special Precautions: Insulated, pressure-rated transport vessels mandatory, regular leak and pressure monitoring, route planning away from population centers, strict adherence to Department of Transportation (DOT) and International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) codes
Emergency Response Guide: Guide 115 (for flammable gases) guides firefighting and rescue actions

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Classified as hazardous, trained personnel only allowed
EPA Status: Subject to Clean Air Act regarding greenhouse gases, hazardous release reporting required for large accidental discharges
DOT / IMDG / IATA: Regulated for domestic and international transportation, operator training mandatory
Labeling Requirements: GHS and NFPA standards apply, including diamond symbols for flammable gas and health risks
Other Applicable Laws: Local, state, and federal requirements pertain to storage, handling, and emergency planning, ongoing review and compliance audits required for all facilities engaged in LNG operations