Substance-Specific Issues

Nitrogen, liquid; classification as a corrosive product

Substance:

nitrogen; CAS No. 7727-37-9

Issue:

Does liquid nitrogen fall within the [WHMIS] Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) criteria for a corrosive material?

Regulators' position:

At their meeting in October 2001, WHMIS regulatory agencies agreed that temperature was a workplace practice issue and that temperature not be considered as a criterion for inclusion in WHMIS Class E.

Conclusion:

Liquid nitrogen need not be included in WHMIS Class E solely on the basis of corrosive properties that are attributable to temperature.