Sulfuryl fluoride

Synonyms

Sulfur difluoride dioxide; Vikane®; [NIOSH] UN2191

Category

Fumigants

Description

Colorless, odorless gas. [insecticide/fumigant] [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.] [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as a structural fumigant to kill termites; [ACGIH]

Comments

Concentrations inside fumigated structures are as high as 4000 to 40,000 ppm. Inhalation exposure may cause pulmonary edema. [ACGIH] Because sulfuryl fluoride is heavier than air, workers who re-enter a treated area are at risk for fatal hypoxia. Muscle twitching and seizures have been reported after acute poisoning. [EPA Pesticides, p. 161] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH] The exact toxic mechanism is not known, but increased fluoride ion concentrations have been found in poisoned victims. Systemic fluorosis may result from sulfuryl fluoride poisoning. Fluoride can cause hypocalcemia and hyperkalemia with secondary arrhythmias and central nervous effects including agitation, tetany, and seizures. [AHLS, p. 266-7] This gas has no warning properties, but chloropicrin is often added. After chronic inhalation studies, animals have evidence of liver injury. [HSDB] See "FLUORIDES."

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

Yes

5 ppm

10 ppm

5 ppm

200 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Other animal data: It has been reported that less than 5% mortality resulted from exposure for 3 hours to 1,000 ppm [Taxay 1966].

LC50 (rat) = 991 ppm/4H

Explanatory Notes

Not combustible; [CHEMINFO]

Reference Link #2

Yes

Other CNS neurotoxin

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

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Fumigants, acute toxic effect
• Pneumonitis, toxic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Pesticides)