Tetrafluoroethylene
Agent Name
Tetrafluoroethylene
CAS Number
116-14-3
Formula
C2-F4
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
1,1,2,2-Tetrafluoroethylene; Ethene, tetrafluoro-; Fluoroplast 4; Perfluoroethene; Perfluoroethylene; TFE; Tetrafluoroethene; Tetrafluoroethylene; Tetrafluoroethylene monomer; UN1081; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Halogenated Aliphatics, Unsaturated
Description
Colorless, odorless gas; [ACGIH]
Sources/Uses
Used to produce polytetrafluoroethylene polymers (Teflon); [ACGIH]
Comments
In acute animal studies, causes kidney injury at concentrations of 2000 to 6000 ppm; In chronic animal studies, causes hepatic tumors and renal degeneration at 156 ppm and malignant liver and kidney tumors at 312 ppm; [ACGIH] A simple asphyxiant at high concentrations; [NJ-HSFS] Tetrafluoroethylene is a skin irritant. [Quick CPC] Causes somnolence in lethal-dose inhalation studies of mice and guinea pigs; [RTECS] Tetrafluoroethylene, stabilized (UN1081) has warning of explosive polymerization; [ERG 2016]
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
TLV (ACGIH)
2 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 40,000 ppm/4H
Explosive Polymerization
Yes
NFPA
burn readily
ERPG-1
200 ppm
ERPG-2
1,000 ppm
ERPG-3
10,000 ppm
Adverse Effects
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Nephrotoxin
Yes
IARC Carcinogen
Possible (2b)
NTP Carcinogen
Anticipated human carcinogen
ACGIH Carcinogen
Confirmed Animal
Other Poison
Simple Asphyxiant
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: