Sodium hexafluorosilicate

Synonyms

Sodium silicofluoride; Destruxol applex; Disodium hexafluorosilicate (2-); Disodium hexafluorosilicate; Disodium silicofluoride; Ens-zem weevil bait; Fluorosilicate de sodium [ISO-French]; Fluosilicate de sodium; Natriumhexafluorosilicat; Natriumsilicofluorid [German]; Ortho earwig bait; Ortho weevil bait; PSC Co-Op weevil bait; Prodan; Safsan; Salufer; Silicon sodium fluoride; Sodium fluorosilicate; Sodium fluosilicate; Sodium hexafluosilicate; Sodium silicon fluoride; Super prodan; Silicate(2-), hexafluoro-, disodium; Silicate(2-), hexafluoro-, sodium (1:2); Sodium silica fluoride; [ChemIDplus] UN2674

Category

Metals, Inorganic Compounds

Description

White solid; [Merck Index] White powder; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Used in enamels for china and porcelain and in vitreous enamel frits; as an insecticide, veterinary pediculicide, rodenticide, and moth repellent; as a fluoridation agent for drinking water; as a gelling agent in the Dunlop process (production of latex foam); in laundry soaps and glues; in metallurgy (aluminum and beryllium); as a leather and wood preservative; in aluminum etchants; and to make opalescent glass, pure silicon, cryolite, and silicon tetrafluoride; [HSDB]

Comments

Decomposed by heat, forming toxic and corrosive gases (including fluorine); A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; May cause fluorosis; "The substance may cause effects on the calcium metabolism, resulting in cardiac disorders and impaired functions." [ICSC] After ingesting sodium silicofluoride, a 2 1/2-year old girl developed acute respiratory failure, ventricular tachycardia, hypokalemia, and hypocalcemia. [HSDB] May cause nose and throat irritation; An eye irritant; Skin contact can cause rash and burning, and possibly ulceration; [CAMEO] An irritant; May cause serious eye injury; Can be absorbed through skin; [MSDSonline] See "FLUORIDES." See "Potassium hexafluorosilicate."

Biomedical References

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

2.5 mg/m3, as F

2.5 mg/m3, as F

1 mg/m3, inhalable fraction, as F

250 mg/m3, as F

LCLo (humans) = 33 mg/m3/6h

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Applying Wood Preservatives
• Farming (Pesticides)
• Glass Manufacturing
• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Metal Extraction and Refining
• Working with Glues and Adhesives

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Ceramics making
• Enameling