MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

Date of Issue : Aug 2010

1. IDENTIFICATION

General
Product Name : TETRAHYDROFURANE
Other Names : BUTYLENE OXIDE CYCLOTETRAMETHYLENE OXIDE
UN No. : 2056

Uses :
Solvent for natural and synthetic resins, particularly vinyls, in topcoating solutions, polymer coatings, cellophane,
protective coatings adhesives, magnetic tapes, printing inks, etc. Grignard reactions, lithium aluminium hydride
reductions, and polymerizations ; chemical intermediate and monomer.

1.1 Physical Description / Properties

Appearance : Colourless liquid with ethereal, sweet odour.
Formula : C4H8O
Boiling Point : 65.5 deg C
Melting Point : -108 deg C
Vapour Pressure : 17.3 mm Hg (1 atmosphere)
Specific Gravity : 0.886 (water = 1)
Flash Point : Closed Cup -22
Ph : 5 (200g/l water)
Solubility in water : Sol. g/l (25 deg C)
Flammability Limits (as percentage volume in air)
Lower Explosion Limit : 1.5
Upper Explosion Limit : 12.0

1.2 Other Properties

Boiling poin : 65.5 - 66.5 deg C (101.3 kPa)
Melting point : -108 deg C (101.3 kPa)
Vapour pressure : 17.3 kPa (20 deg C); 58.6 kPa (50 deg C).
Volatile content : 100%.
Specific gravity : 0.886 - 0.888.

Autoignition temperature : 215 deg C.

Relative vapour density : 2.5.
Molecular weigh : 72.1.
Viscosity : 0.48 mPa.s @ 20 deg C. Vapour
density (air=1) : 2.5. Odour threshold: 20 - 50 ppm.
Evaporation rate (butyl acetate=1) : 14.5. Viscosity: 0.5 cP @20 deg C.
Solvent solubilty: Soluble in benzene,alcohols, ethers, ketones, esters and hydrocarbons.

Teloon Chemicals - MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET Page 1 of 4

1.3 Ingredients
2. HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
2.1 Health Effects - Acute
Swallowed
The product is considered to be moderately toxic by ingestion. Short term exposure: sore throat, vomiting,
digestive disorders. Long term exposure: kidney damage, liver damage.
Eye
Irritating to the eyes. Short term exposure: irritation - possibly severe. Long term exposure: eye damage.
Skin
Contact with the skin is likely to cause irritation. The product may be absorbed through the skin.
Inhaled
The vapour irritates the eyes, skin and respiratory organs. The product is considered to be mildly toxic by
inhalation. The product has a narcotic effect if inhaled in high concentrations. Short term exposure: irritation,
nausea, vomiting, headache, drunkenness. Long term exposure: kidney damage, liver damage, coma.

2.2 Health Effects - Chronic

Prolonged or repeated exposure to this product may cause damage to the liver and kidneys. Mutation data has
reported from animal studies.

2.3 First Aid

Swallowed
Contact local poison control centre or physician immediately. Never make an unconscious person vomit or drink
fluids. When vomiting occurs, keep head lower than hips to prevent aspiration. If person is unconscious, turn head
to side. Get medical attention immediately.
Eye
Wash eyes immediately with large amounts of water or normal saline, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids,
until no evidence of chemical remains. Get medical attention immediately.
Skin
Remove contaminated clothing, jewelery, and shoes immediately. Wash with soap or mild detergent and large
amounts of water until no evidinceof chemical remains (at least 15-20 minutes). Get medical attention.
Inhaled
Remove from exposure immediately. Use a bag valve mask or similar device to perform artificial respiration
(rescue breathing) if needed. Get medical attention.
First Aid Facilities
Ensure an eye bath and safety shower are available and ready for use.

2.5 Advice to Doctor

Treat patient symptomatically based on individual reactions of patient and judgement of doctor. For ingestion,
consider gastric lavage and activated charcoal slurry.

2.6 Toxicity Data

Oral LD50 (rat): 2816 mg/kg. Inhalation LC50 (rat): 18000 - 22000 ppm/4h. Dermal (rabbit): Irritant. Eye (rabbit):
irritant. Inhalation (rat): No mortalities after 10 min exposure to saturated atmosphere at 20 deg C. Mortalities
occurred on prolonged exposure. Intraperitoneal LD50 (rat): 2900 mg/kg. Intermittent oral TDLo (rat): 4550
mg/kg/17week(s). Inermittent inhalation TCLo (rat): 1000 ppm/4hour(s)-12week(s). Intermittent inhalation TLCo
(rat): 5000 ppm/6hour(s)-91days(s). Intermittent inhalation TLCo (rat): 200 ppm/6hour(s)-18week(s). Medical
conditions aggravated by expsure: eye problems, kidney problems, lover problems, respiratory problems, skin
disorders and allergies. Mutagenic effects: mutation in microorganisms. Reproductive effects data: Inhlation TLCo
(rat): 5000ppm/6hour(s)-6-19day(s). Alcohol may enhance toxic effects.

3. PRECAUTIONS FOR USE

3.1 Exposure Standards
200 ppm, 590 mg/m3 - 8 hr TWA, STEL 250 ppm, 737 mg/m3

Teloon Chemicals - MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET Page 2 of 4

3.2 Engineering Controls
Ensure workplace is well ventilated to maintain air concentrations below exposure standard. Ventilation
equipment should be explosion resistant if explosive concentrations of material are present. Ensure compliance
with applicable exposure limits.

3.3 Personal Protection

Avoid contact with skin and eys, avoid inhalation of vapour. Wear protective goggles, protective gloves
(nitrile/rubber). Use a vapour respirator in accordance with AS1715 and AS1716. Wear protective clothing
impervious to aromatic hydrocarbons. Limit exposure to product where possible. Wash hands before work breaks
and before going home. Change contaminated clothing and shoes immediately, and wash them thoroughly before
reuse.
3.4 Flammability
Highly flammable. Vapour is explosive when exposed to heat or flame. Flash point: -22 deg C (closed cup).
Autoignition temperature: 215 deg C. A very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flames or oxidisers.
The vapour is heavier than air, vapours may ignite at distant igntion sources and flash back.

4. SAFE HANDLING INFORMATION

4.1 Storage / Transport
Keep away from all sources of ignition and heat. Earth all containers to reduce the possibility of sparks from static
electricity. Must be stored in accordance with all local Dabgerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations
relevant to Class 3 substances. Transport in accordance with the n Dangerous Goods Code. Keep containers
tightly sealed. Ensure storage area is well ventilated. Wherever possible, THF should be stored under dry
nitrogen, as exposure to air will lead to peroxide formation. Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid contact with light.
Store outside or in a detached building. Keep away from acids, bases, halogens, metals, oxidising materials,
combustible materials, metal oxides, metal salts.

4.2 Packaging / Labelling

UN No. 2056
Class 3
Sub Risk None Allocated
Hazchem Code 2YE
Pack Group II
EPG No. 14
Shipping Name TETRAHYDROFURAN
Hazard FLAMMABLE IRRITANT
Risk Phrases
R11 Highly flammable.
R19 May form explosive peroxides.
R36/37 Irritating to eyes and respiratory system.
Safety Phrases
S2 Keep out of the reach of children.
S16 Keep away from sources of ignition.
S29 Do not empty into drains.
S33 Take precautionary measures against static discharges.
4.3 Spills and Disposal
Spills
Clean up personnel should wear full protective cltohing including self contained breathing apparatus. Prevent
spillage from entering sewers. Remove all sources of igntion. Stop leak if you can do so without risk. Reduse
vapours with waterspray. Keep unnecessary people away, isolate hazard area and deny entry for large spills.
Stay upwind and keep out of low areas. Do not allow to mix with acids, bases, halogens, metals, oxidising
materials, combustible materials, metal oxides, or metal salts.
Soak up all spills with absorbent material (eg. sand, earth). Place waste in drums for disposal. For large spills,
dike for later disposal.

Teloon Chemicals - MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET Page 3 of 4

Disposal
Dispose of by incineration at an approved industrial facility in accordance with regulations.

4.4 FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD

Fire / Explosion
Cool heat exposed drums or tanks with large quantites of water. When heated to decompostion it emits acrid
smpke and irritating fumes. Unstabilised THF forms thermally explosive peroxides on exposure to air. Can also
react with oxidising agents. High peroxide levels can lead to explosive decomposition.
Extinguishing Media
Firefighters should wear full portective clothing including self contained breathing apparatus. Use water spray,
carbon dioxide, foam, or dry agent as extinguishing media. For large fires use alcohol resistant foam or flood with
fine water spray.

5 OTHER INFORMATION
Other Information
The product is biodegradable and can be removed from the aqueous phase. By careful addition to effluent
treatment plants, no adverse effects on the degradation activity of the activated sludge are expected. Degradabilty
in water: > 70% (Zahn-Wellens Static Test; DOC decrease) Fish toxicity LC50 2820 - 2930 mg/l/48h (Golden
Orfe) Check for peroxides before distilling and eliminate any present.

Teloon Chemicals - MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET Page 4 of 4