Product Identification

Product Name

Sulfur dioxide

Synonyms

Sulfur oxide
Sulfurous anhydride

CAS

7446-09-5

Formula

O2(32)S

Molecular Weight

64.05

EINECS

231-195-2

RTECS

WS4550000

RTECS Class

Agricultural Chemical and Pesticide; Tumorigen; Mutagen; Reproductive Effector; Human Data; Primary Irritant

Merck

12,9144

Beilstein/Gmelin

1443 (G)

EC Index Number

016-011-00-9

EC Class

Toxic; Corrosive

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance

A colorless gas with a choking or suffocating odor.

Solubility in water

8.5 g/100 mL (20 C)

Melting Point

-75.7

Boiling Point

-10.3

Vapor Pressure

43.7 (-60 C)

Density

1.434 g/cm3 (20 C)

Heat Of Vaporization

25.4 kJ/mol

Usage

Preserving fruits, disinfectant in breweries & food factories.

Vapor Density

2.2

Odor threshold

0.47 ppm

Refractive Index

1.3047 (20 C)

First Aid Measures

Ingestion

Seek medical assistance.

Inhalation

Move victim to fresh air. Apply artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; induce artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Effects may be delayed.

Skin

Rewarming and a variety of topical treatments are indicated for frostbite injury. See main treatment section for more information.

Eyes

Irrigate exposed eyes with copious amounts of tepid water for at least 15 minutes. If irritation, pain, swelling, lacrimation, or photophobia persist, the patient should be seen in a health care facility.

Handling and Storage

Storage

Protect against physical damage, store outdoors or in a well ventilated area of noncombustible construction.

Handling

Containers of this material may be hazardous when emptied. Since emptied containers retain product residues (vapor, liquid, and/or solid), all hazard precautions given in the data sheet must be observed.

Hazards Identification

Inhalation

Vapors are extremely irritating and corrosive.

Skin

Direct contact with liquefied sulfur dioxide could cause frostbite injury.

Eyes

See Skin.

Ingestion

Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain have been reported.

Hazards

Containers may explode in heat of fire or they may rupture and release irritating toxic sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide has explosive properties when it comes in contact with sodium hydride; potassium chlorate at elevated temperatures; ethanol; ether; zinc ethylsulfurinate at very cool temperatures (-15C); fluorine; chlorine trifluoride and chlorates. It will react with water or steam to produce toxic and corrosive fumes. When the liquid is heated it may release irritating, toxic sulfur dioxide gas.

UN (DOT)

1079

Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Personal Protection

Wear appropriate protective gloves, clothing and goggles.

Respirators

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

Exposure Effects

Maternal toxicity and embryotoxicity have been observed.

Exposure limit(s)

OSHA PEL: TWA 5 ppm (13 mg/m3) NIOSH REL: TWA 2 ppm (5 mg/m3) ST 5 ppm (13 mg/m3) NIOSH IDLH: 100 ppm

Poison Class

3

Fire Fighting Measures

Fire Fighting

Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing. Move container from fire area. Stay away from ends of tanks. Cool containers that are exposed to flames with water from the side until well after the fire is out. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. Keep unnecessary people away.Not flammable. Extinguish fires with dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, fog or foam.

Fire Potential

Nonflammable.

Accidental Release Measures

Small spills/leaks

Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Attempt to stop leak if without undue personnel hazard. Use water spray to knock-down vapors. Neutralize spilled material with crushed limestone, soda ash, or lime. Do not use water on material itself.

Stability and Reactivity

Incompatibilities

Reacts exothermically with bases such as amines, amides, metal oxides, and hydroxides Reacts explosively with fluorine. Avoid ammonia, monocesium or monopotassium acetylide; dicesium monoxide; iron (II) oxide; tin oxide; lead (IV) oxide; chromium; manganese; molten sodium, powder aluminum and rubidium. Sulfur dioxide has explosive properties when it comes in contact with sodium hydride; potassium chlorate at elevated temperatures; ethanol; ether; zinc ethylsulfurinate at very cool temperatures (-15C); fluorine; chlorine trifluoride and chlorates. It will react with water or steam to produce toxic and corrosive fumes.

Stability

Stable.

Decomposition

Sulfur compounds.

Transport Information

UN Number

1079

Hazard Class

2.3