Chlorine trifluoride

Synonyms

Chlorine fluoride (ClF3); Chlorine trifluoride (ClF3); Chlorotrifluoride; Trifluorure de chlore [French]; [ChemIDplus] UN1749

Category

Oxidizers

Description

Colorless gas or a greenish-yellow liquid (below 53 degrees F) with a somewhat sweet, suffocating odor; Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as a fluorinating agent and fire retardant for fluorocarbon polymers; also used to ignite rocket fuels and in the processing of fuels for nuclear reactors; [ACGIH]

Comments

Liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact; [CHRIS] Chlorine trifluoride causes severe lung irritation and death in animal inhalation studies; [ACGIH] A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC] See "FLUORIDES."

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

Yes

0.1 ppm

Ceiling(OSHA) = 0.1 ppm

20 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Other animal data: No mortality occurred among 2 dogs and rats exposed to 21 ppm for 6 hours but the dogs became nauseated, coughed up a small amount of mucous material, and had rapid respiration and salivation [Horn and Weir 1955]. . . . Human data: It has been reported that 50 ppm or more may be fatal in 30 minutes to 2 hours [Deichmann and Gerarde 1969].

LC50 (rat) = 299 ppm/1H

Reference Link #2

will not burn

0.1 ppm

1 ppm

10 ppm

Yes

Skin burns

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Pneumonitis, toxic