Sulfur hexafluoride
Agent Name
Sulfur hexafluoride
CAS Number
2551-62-4
Formula
F6-S
Major Category
Toxic Gases & Vapors
Synonyms
Elegas; Hexafluorure de soufre [French]; Sulfur fluoride (SF6); Sulfur fluoride (SF6), (OC-6-11)-; Sulfur hexafluoride; [ChemIDplus] UN1080
Category
Simple Asphyxiants
Description
Colorless, odorless gas. [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas. Condenses directly to a solid upon cooling.]; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used as a gaseous electric insulator and as a tracer gas to measure ventilation patterns; [ACGIH]
Comments
". . . it seems unlikely that a gas as inert as sulfur hexafluoride would exert any toxic effect in concentrations as low as 1000 ppm. The chief hazard, as with other inert gases, would seem to be asphyxiation as a result of the displacement of air by this heavy gas." [ACGIH] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH]
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
TLV (ACGIH)
1000 ppm
PEL (OSHA)
1000 ppm
MAK
5000 ppm
Adverse Effects
Other Poison
Simple Asphyxiant
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: