| Agent Name | Methane |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 74-82-8 |
| Formula | C-H4 |
| Major Category | Toxic Gases & Vapors |
| Synonyms | Biogas; Fire Damp; Marsh gas; Methane; Methyl hydride; R 50 (refrigerant); [ChemIDplus] UN1971; UN1972; |
| Category | Simple Asphyxiants |
| Description | Colorless, odorless gas; [Merck Index] Vapor density = 0.554 (lighter than air); [HSDB] |
| Sources/Uses | In the USA 85% of natural gas is methane. [Merck Index] Produced by decaying matter in swamps and marshes; [Hawley] |
| Comments | The "Critical Effects" for aliphatic hydrocarbon gases are CNS depression and cardiac sensitization. "From a toxicologic standpoint, methane and ethane are practically inert; however, at very high concentrations, they act as a simple asphyxiant and can cause suffocation by displacement of oxygen from breathing atmosphere, below the critical level of 16% oxygen that is required to sustain life." [ACGIH] Simple asphyxiant; Evaporating liquid can cause frostbite; [ICSC] |
| Exposure Assessment | |
| Skin Designation (ACGIH) | No |
| TLV (ACGIH) | 1000 ppm |
| Explanatory Notes | For TLV, see Aliphatic hydrocarbon gases: Alkane (C1-C4); [ACGIH]; Flash point = -306 deg F; |
| Flammability (NFPA) | |
| Adverse Effects | |
| Other Poison | Simple Asphyxiant |
| Links to Other NLM Databases | |
| Health Studies | Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: |
| Toxicity Information | |
| Chemical Information | |
| Biomedical References | |
| Related Information in HazMap | |
| Diseases | Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: |
| Processes | Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: |
| Activities | Activities with risk of exposure: |
Agent Name
Methane
CAS Number
74-82-8
Formula
C-H4
Major Category
Toxic Gases & Vapors
Synonyms
Biogas; Fire Damp; Marsh gas; Methane; Methyl hydride; R 50 (refrigerant); [ChemIDplus] UN1971; UN1972;
Category
Simple Asphyxiants
Description
Colorless, odorless gas; [Merck Index] Vapor density = 0.554 (lighter than air); [HSDB]
Sources/Uses
In the USA 85% of natural gas is methane. [Merck Index] Produced by decaying matter in swamps and marshes; [Hawley]
Comments
The "Critical Effects" for aliphatic hydrocarbon gases are CNS depression and cardiac sensitization. "From a toxicologic standpoint, methane and ethane are practically inert; however, at very high concentrations, they act as a simple asphyxiant and can cause suffocation by displacement of oxygen from breathing atmosphere, below the critical level of 16% oxygen that is required to sustain life." [ACGIH] Simple asphyxiant; Evaporating liquid can cause frostbite; [ICSC]
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
No
TLV (ACGIH)
1000 ppm
Explanatory Notes
For TLV, see Aliphatic hydrocarbon gases: Alkane (C1-C4); [ACGIH]; Flash point = -306 deg F;
Flammability (NFPA)
Adverse Effects
Other Poison
Simple Asphyxiant
Links to Other NLM Databases
Toxicity Information
Chemical Information
Biomedical References
Related Information in HazMap
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: