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Chemical Datasheet

FURAN

3 - Flammable liquid

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 110-00-9   (FURAN)
  • 2389
  • Flammable Liquid
  • FUR
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • FURAN
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
4
2 1
Blue Health 2 Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
Red Flammability 4 Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature.
Yellow Instability 1 Normally stable but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A clear colorless liquid with a strong odor. Flash point below 32°F. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Vapors heavier than air.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. When uninhibited, this compound forms explosive peroxides on exposure to air. Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Very dangerous, upon exposure to heat or flame. It may form unstable peroxides on exposure to air. Contact with acids can initiate a violent, heat producing reaction. Avoid acids, oxidizing agents. Upon standing in air, it may form unstable peroxides. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
The vapors are narcotic. Acute exposure to furan by inhalation may involve both reversible and irreversible changes. Acute exposure by ingestion or skin absorption, as well as chronic exposure, are associated with high toxicity. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
FURAN is sensitive to heat and may turn brown upon standing. This compound may be light sensitive. When uninhibited, this compound forms explosive peroxides on exposure to air. This chemical may react with oxidizers, acids, peroxides and oxygen. It resinifies on evaporation or when in contact with mineral acids, but it is stable in alkalis. (NTP, 1992).
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 128 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Move container from fire area if this can be accomplished without risk. Spray cooling water on containers that are exposed to flames until well after fire is out. For massive fires in cargo area, use unmanned hose holder or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible withdraw from area and let fire burn. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety device or any discoloration of tank due to fire. Isolate for 1/2 mile in all directions if a tank car or truck is involved. Water may be ineffective. Small fires: dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or alcohol foam. Large fires: water spray, fog, or alcohol foam. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 128 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit. (EPA, 1998)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Furan 110-00-9 Liquid 97

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
Signs and Symptoms of Furan Exposure: Acute exposure to furan may produce dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia. Irritation and burning of the eyes and skin may occur. Furan vapor is a central nervous system depressant.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to furan may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to furan.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Rush to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to furan.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Rush to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
3. Vomiting may be induced with syrup of Ipecac. If elapsed time since ingestion of furan is unknown or suspected to be greater than 30 minutes, do not induce vomiting and proceed to Step
4. Ipecac should not be administered to children under 6 months of age. Warning: Syrup of Ipecac should be administered only if victims are alert, have an active gag-reflex, and show no signs of impending seizure or coma. If ANY uncertainty exists, proceed to Step
4. The following dosages of Ipecac are recommended: children up to 1 year old, 10 mL (1/3 oz); children 1 to 12 years old, 15 mL (1/2 oz); adults, 30 mL (1 oz). Ambulate (walk) the victims and give large quantities of water. If vomiting has not occurred after 15 minutes, Ipecac may be readministered. Continue to ambulate and give water to the victims. If vomiting has not occurred within 15 minutes after second administration of Ipecac, administer activated charcoal.
4. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
5. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.
6. Rush to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C4H4O
Flash Point: Less than 32F (EPA, 1998)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 2.3 % (EPA, 1998)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 14.3 % (EPA, 1998)
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: -123°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 493 mmHg at 68°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 2.3 (EPA, 1998) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 0.9371 at 66.92°F (EPA, 1998) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: 90°F at 758 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 68.08 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 72°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 13 ppm [From IDLH Table: Furan] (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Final AEGLs for Furan (110-00-9)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes NR 12 ppm 35 ppm
30 minutes NR 8.5 ppm 24 ppm
60 minutes NR 6.8 ppm 19 ppm
4 hours NR 1.7 ppm 4.8 ppm
8 hours NR 0.85 ppm 2.4 ppm
NR = Not recommended due to insufficient data
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Furan (110-00-9) 0.62 ppm 6.8 ppm 19 ppm LEL = 23000 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Furan 110-00-9 500 pounds 100 pounds 100 pounds 313 U124 5000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Furan 110-00-9 1.00 % 10000 pounds flammable

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Furan 110-00-9 500 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names