Chemical Datasheet
SULFUR, MOLTEN |
|
|||||||||
Chemical Identifiers
)
UN/NA Number - The United Nations-North America number (also called UN number or DOT number). 4-digit number identifying an individual chemical or group of chemicals with similar characteristics. Required on shipping papers; often shown on placards or labels. This numbering system was developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and then became the UN standard system for classifying hazardous materials.
CAS Number - Chemical Abstracts Service registry number. Unique identification number assigned to this chemical by the American Chemical Society.
CHRIS Code - 3-letter code used by the U.S. Coast Guard to identify individual chemicals included in its CHRIS (Chemical Hazards Response Information System) manual.
DOT Hazard Label - U.S. Department of Transportation hazard warning label for the chemical (such as flammable liquid or corrosive). This label must be displayed on shipped packages, railroad tank cars, and tank trucks according to specifications described in 49 CFR 172.
NFPA 704 - Text description of the diamond-shaped placard, which contains codes indicating the level of the chemical's health, flammability, and reactivity hazards, along with special hazards such as water- and air-reactivity. (The NFPA 704 diamond is also shown at the top of the datasheet.) See a guide to the NFPA diamond.
General Description - Brief description of the chemical's general appearance, behavior, and hazardousness.
List of data sources.
CAS Number - Chemical Abstracts Service registry number. Unique identification number assigned to this chemical by the American Chemical Society.
CHRIS Code - 3-letter code used by the U.S. Coast Guard to identify individual chemicals included in its CHRIS (Chemical Hazards Response Information System) manual.
DOT Hazard Label - U.S. Department of Transportation hazard warning label for the chemical (such as flammable liquid or corrosive). This label must be displayed on shipped packages, railroad tank cars, and tank trucks according to specifications described in 49 CFR 172.
NFPA 704 - Text description of the diamond-shaped placard, which contains codes indicating the level of the chemical's health, flammability, and reactivity hazards, along with special hazards such as water- and air-reactivity. (The NFPA 704 diamond is also shown at the top of the datasheet.) See a guide to the NFPA diamond.
General Description - Brief description of the chemical's general appearance, behavior, and hazardousness.
List of data sources.
| UN/NA Number | CAS Number | CHRIS Code | DOT Hazard Label |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
| NFPA 704: |
|
General Description
A pale yellow crystalline solid with a faint odor of rotten eggs. Insoluble in water. A fire and explosion risk above 450° F. Transported as a yellow to red liquid. Handled at elevated temperature (typically 290°F) to prevent solidification and makes transfers easier. Hot enough that plastic or rubber may melt or lose strength. Causes thermal burns to skin on contact. Cools rapidly and solidifies if released. Equipment designed to protect against ordinary chemical exposure is ineffective against the thermal hazard. Exercise caution walking on the surface of a spill to avoid breakthrough into pockets of molten sulfur below the crust. Do not attempt to remove sulfur impregnated clothing because of the danger of tearing flesh if a burn has resulted. May be irritatin to skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Used in sulfuric acid production, petroleum refining, and pulp and paper manufacturing.
Hazards
)
Reactivity Alerts - Special alerts if the chemical is especially reactive
(see list of reactivity alerts).
Air & Water Reactions - Special alerts if the chemical reacts with air, water, or moisture.
Fire Hazard - Description of the chemical's fire hazards (such as flammability, explosion risk, or byproducts that may evolve if the chemical is burned).
Health Hazard - Description of the chemical's health hazards (such as toxicity, flammability, or corrosivity).
Reactivity Profile - Description of the chemical's potential reactivity with other chemicals, air, and water. Also includes any other intrinsic reactive hazards (such as polymerizable or peroxidizable).
Reactive Groups - List of reactive groups that the chemical is assigned to, based on its known chemistry. Reactive groups are categories of chemicals that react in similar ways because their chemical structures are similar. Reactive groups are used to predict reactivity when you add a chemical to MyChemicals. Read more about reactive groups.
List of data sources.
Air & Water Reactions - Special alerts if the chemical reacts with air, water, or moisture.
Fire Hazard - Description of the chemical's fire hazards (such as flammability, explosion risk, or byproducts that may evolve if the chemical is burned).
Health Hazard - Description of the chemical's health hazards (such as toxicity, flammability, or corrosivity).
Reactivity Profile - Description of the chemical's potential reactivity with other chemicals, air, and water. Also includes any other intrinsic reactive hazards (such as polymerizable or peroxidizable).
Reactive Groups - List of reactive groups that the chemical is assigned to, based on its known chemistry. Reactive groups are categories of chemicals that react in similar ways because their chemical structures are similar. Reactive groups are used to predict reactivity when you add a chemical to MyChemicals. Read more about reactive groups.
List of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
- Highly Flammable
- Strong Reducing Agent
Air & Water Reactions
Flammable. Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Produces toxic sulfur dioxide gas.
Behavior in Fire: Burns with a pale blue flame that may be difficult to see in daylight. (USCG, 1999)
Behavior in Fire: Burns with a pale blue flame that may be difficult to see in daylight. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Can cause eye irritation; may rarely irritate skin. If recovered sulfur, refer to hydrogen sulfide.* (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
SULFUR reacts violently with strong oxidizing agents causing fire and explosion hazards [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980 p. 871]. Reacts with iron to give pyrophoric compounds. Attacks copper, silver and mercury. Reacts with bromine trifluoride, even at 10°C [Mellor 2:113. 1946-47]. Ignites in fluorine gas at ordinary temperatures [Mellor 2:11-13 1946-47]. Reacts to incandescence with heated with thorium [Mellor 7:208 1946-47]. Can react with ammonia to form explosive sulfur nitride. Reacts with calcium phosphide incandescently at about 300°C. Reacts violently with phosphorus trioxide [Chem. Eng. News 27:2144 1949]. Mixtures with ammonium nitrate or with metal powders can be exploded by shock [Kirk and Othmer 8:644]. Combinations of finely divided sulfur with finely divided bromates, chlorates, or iodates of barium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, or zinc can explode with heat, friction, percussion, and sometimes light [Mellor 2 Supp.1:763. 1956]. A mixture with barium carbide heated to 150°C becomes incandescent. Reacts incandescently with calcium carbide or strontium carbide at 500°C. Attacks heated lithium, or heated selenium carbide with incandescence [Mellor 5:862 1946-47]. Reacts explosively if warmed with powdered zinc [Mellor 4:476. 1946-47]. Reacts vigorously with tin [Mellor 7:328. 1946-47]. A mixture with potassium nitrate and arsenic trisulfide is a known pyrotechnic formulation [Ellern 1968 p. 135]. Mixtures with any perchlorate can explode on impact [ACS 146:211-212]. A mixture of damp sulfur and calcium hypochlorite produces a brilliant crimson flash with scatter of molten sulfur [Chem. Eng. News 46(28):9 1968]. Takes fire spontaneously in chlorine dioxide and may produce an explosion [Mellor 2:289 (1946-47)]. Ignites if heated with chromic anhydride ignite and can explode, [Mellor 10:102 (1946-47)]. Even small percentages of hydrocarbons in contact with molten sulfur generate hydrogen sulfide and carbon disulfide, which may accumulate in explosive concentrations. Sulfur reacts with Group I metal nitrides to form flammable mixtures, evolving flammable and toxic NH3 and H2S gasses if water is present. (Mellor, 1940, Vol. 8, 99).
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Response Recommendations
)
Firefighting - Response recommendations if the chemical is on fire (or near a fire).
Non-Fire Response - Response recommendations if the chemical isn't on fire (or near a fire).
Protective Clothing - Recommendations for protective gear and, in some cases, a table of breakthrough times for protective materials.
First Aid - Recommended first aid treatment for people exposed to the chemical.
List of data sources.
Non-Fire Response - Response recommendations if the chemical isn't on fire (or near a fire).
Protective Clothing - Recommendations for protective gear and, in some cases, a table of breakthrough times for protective materials.
First Aid - Recommended first aid treatment for people exposed to the chemical.
List of data sources.
Firefighting
Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. (AAR, 2003)
Non-Fire Response
Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Build dikes to contain flow as necessary. Land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, holding area to contain liquid or solid material. Cover solids with a plastic sheet to prevent dissolving in rain or fire fighting water. Dike surface flow using soil, sand bags, foamed polyurethane, or foamed concrete. Water spill: Use natural barriers or oil spill control booms to limit spill travel. Use natural deep water pockets, excavated lagoons, or sand bag barriers to trap material at bottom. Remove trapped material with suction hoses. (AAR, 2003)
Protective Clothing
Safety goggles with side shields; approved respirator; heat-resistant gloves; leather heat-resistant clothing. If recovered sulfur, refer to hydrogen sulfide.* (USCG, 1999)
First Aid
EYES: wash eyes carefully for at least 15 min.
SKIN: Treat molten sulfur burns with petroleum jelly or mineral oil. If recovered sulfur, treat as for hydrogen sulfide.* (USCG, 1999)
SKIN: Treat molten sulfur burns with petroleum jelly or mineral oil. If recovered sulfur, treat as for hydrogen sulfide.* (USCG, 1999)
Physical Properties
)
This section contains physical properties, flammability limits, and toxic thresholds for this chemical (see
definitions of each property).
More property data is available for common chemicals.
Guide to toxic levels of concern (AEGLs, ERPGs, TEELs, and IDLH).
List of data sources.
Guide to toxic levels of concern (AEGLs, ERPGs, TEELs, and IDLH).
List of data sources.
| Molecular Formula: |
|
Flash Point:
405.0 ° F
(USCG, 1999)
Lower Explosive Limit: data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit: data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature:
450.0 ° F
(USCG, 1999)
Melting Point:
251.0 ° F
(USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density: data unavailable
Specific Gravity:
1.8
at 248.0 ° F
(USCG, 1999)
Boiling Point:
832.3 ° F
at 760.0 mm Hg
(USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight:
256.51
(USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
AEGL:
data unavailable
ERPG:
data unavailable
| TEEL-1 | TEEL-2 | TEEL-3 |
|---|---|---|
| 0.4 mg/m3 | 2.5 mg/m3 | 12.5 mg/m3 |
| (SCAPA, 2008) | ||
IDLH: data unavailable
Regulatory Information
)
Regulatory Names - Names under which this chemical is regulated under several U.S. federal laws: CAA (Clean Air Act of 1990), CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, also known as Superfund), EPCRA (Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, also known as SARA Title III), and RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976).
CAA RMP - Indicates whether this chemical is regulated under Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act, which lists about 100 toxic, flammable, or explosive hazardous substances. (Section 112(r) mandates the Risk Management Plan regulations.) For listed chemicals, the Threshold Quantity (from 40 CFR 68) is also shown. Facilities that use more than the threshold quantity of a listed chemical in a process are subject to the CAA accidental release prevention provisions.
CERCLA - Indicates whether this chemical is listed as a hazardous substance under CERCLA. For listed chemicals, the Reportable Quantity (from 40 CFR 302) is also shown. Facilities that spill more than the reportable quantity of a listed chemical must report it to federal, state, and local governments.
EHS (EPCRA 302) - Indicates whether this chemical is listed as an Extremely Hazardous Substance under Section 302 of EPCRA. For listed chemicals, the Threshold Planning Quantity (from 40 CFR 355) is also shown. Facilities that store more than the threshold quantity of an EHS chemical must meet the reporting, community right-to-know, and emergency planning requirements of EPCRA.
TRI (EPCRA 313) - Indicates whether this chemical is listed as a toxic chemical under Section 313 (Toxics Release Inventory) of EPCRA. Facilities that manufacture, store, or use significant amounts of Section 313 chemicals may be required to submit annual reports about any releases into the environment (see 40 CFR 372).
RCRA Chemical Code - 4-character identification code assigned to this substance under RCRA.
CAA RMP - Indicates whether this chemical is regulated under Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act, which lists about 100 toxic, flammable, or explosive hazardous substances. (Section 112(r) mandates the Risk Management Plan regulations.) For listed chemicals, the Threshold Quantity (from 40 CFR 68) is also shown. Facilities that use more than the threshold quantity of a listed chemical in a process are subject to the CAA accidental release prevention provisions.
CERCLA - Indicates whether this chemical is listed as a hazardous substance under CERCLA. For listed chemicals, the Reportable Quantity (from 40 CFR 302) is also shown. Facilities that spill more than the reportable quantity of a listed chemical must report it to federal, state, and local governments.
EHS (EPCRA 302) - Indicates whether this chemical is listed as an Extremely Hazardous Substance under Section 302 of EPCRA. For listed chemicals, the Threshold Planning Quantity (from 40 CFR 355) is also shown. Facilities that store more than the threshold quantity of an EHS chemical must meet the reporting, community right-to-know, and emergency planning requirements of EPCRA.
TRI (EPCRA 313) - Indicates whether this chemical is listed as a toxic chemical under Section 313 (Toxics Release Inventory) of EPCRA. Facilities that manufacture, store, or use significant amounts of Section 313 chemicals may be required to submit annual reports about any releases into the environment (see 40 CFR 372).
RCRA Chemical Code - 4-character identification code assigned to this substance under RCRA.
Regulatory Names:
none
CAA RMP:
Not a regulated chemical.
CERCLA:
Not a regulated chemical.
EHS (EPCRA 302):
Not a regulated chemical.
TRI (EPCRA 313):
Not a regulated chemical.
RCRA Chemical Code:
none
Alternate Chemical Names
)
This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names, synonyms, and foreign names.
- AZUFRE (DOT SPANISH)
- AZUFRE, FUNDIDO (DOT SPANISH)
- BRIMSTONE
- SOUFRE (DOT FRENCH)
- SOUFRE, FONDU (DOT FRENCH)
- SULFUR
- SULFUR, DRY
- SULFUR, [MOLTEN]
- SULFUR, [SOLID]
- SULPHUR
- SULPHUR, MOLTEN
This page is maintained by the Office of Response and Restoration, NOAA's Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
US Government main portal: USA.gov.