Fluorine

Synonyms

Bifluoriden [Dutch]; Fluor; Fluor [Dutch, French, German, Polish]; Fluorine; Fluorine-19; Fluoro [Italian]; Fluorures acide [French]; Fluoruri acidi [Italian]; Saeure fluoride [German]; [ChemIDplus] UN1045

Category

Oxidizers

Description

Pale-yellow to greenish gas with a pungent, irritating odor; [NIOSH] Vapor density = 1.31 (heavier than air); [Burke, p. 100]

Sources/Uses

Used in the production of in the synthesis of polymers for adhesives and coatings; About 70-80% is used to manufacuture uranium hexafluoride; Also to make sulfur hexafluoride; [ACGIH]

Comments

Fluorine gas is a severe irritant to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Liver injury has been reported in experimental animals exposed to high concentrations. The TLV Basis is fluorosis and eye irritation; "A TLV-TWA of 0.1 ppm is expected to minimize the potential for skeletal fluorosis. This is based on the assumption that drinking water and inhalation doses produce equivalent fluorosis." Fluorine gas produces hydrofluoric acid upon contact with water. [ACGIH] Liquid causes second and third degree burns after short skin exposure; [CHRIS] Highly corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] A lachrymator; [CHEMINFO] May cause respiratory tract irritation and pulmonary edema; Evaporating liquid can cause frostbite; [ICSC] See "FLUORIDES."

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Fluorides in urine = 2 mg/L prior to shift or 3 mg/L at end of shift; (Repeated measurements recommended.) Uranium in urine = 200 ug/L at end of shift;

Insufficient data

Yes

0.1 ppm, as Fluoride (F)

0.5 ppm, as Fluoride (F)

0.1 ppm

25 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Human data: It has been reported that 2 men were able to tolerate 25 ppm very briefly but both developed sore throats and chest pains that lasted 6 hours; 50 ppm could not be tolerated [Rickey 1959]. Volunteers tolerated 10 ppm for 15 minutes with a minimum of irritation [Ricca 1970]. Intermittent exposures to 10 ppm were repeated every 3 to 5 minutes for 15 minutes over 2 to 3 hours with only slight irritation of the eyes and skin noted [Ricca 1970]. Much irritation of the eyes have been noted at 100 ppm, but with no aftereffects after only 30 seconds [Grant 1974]. It has been observed that exposures up to 30 ppm for 5 to 30 minutes had no ill effects [Lyon 1962].

0.09 ppm

Odor Threshold High

0.19 ppm

LC50 (rat) = 185 ppm/1H

Explanatory Notes

Odor threshold from AIHA;

will not burn

0.5 ppm

5 ppm

20 ppm

Yes

Yes

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Skin burns

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Pneumonitis, toxic