Polymer Fume Fever - Adverse Effects
Teflon (PTFE: polytetrafluoroethylene)
CAS No. 9002-84-0
 
 

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ACTIVITY: US EPA Pesticide List 3 Inert.

Teflon is used in pesticides as an Inert. According to a US EPA Final Rule of April 28, 2004:
Montmorillonite-type clay treated with polytetrafluoroethylene. Carrier. PTFE content not greater than 0.5% of clay (w/w). To be used in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest.

Also, component used in plastic slow release tag.

Structure:

Polymer fume fever

Abstract: ‘Polymer fume fever’ (PFF), a temporary, intense, but only very rarely serious influenza-like syndrome previously related only to the pyrolysis of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), may also be induced by fluorocarbon systems with molecular weights in the telomeric and possibly monomeric range.
Ref: ‘Polymer fume fever’ without polymer. P. W. Townsend, G. G. Vernice and R. L. Williams. Journal of Fluorine Chemistry Volume 42, Issue 3 , March 1989, Pages 441-443.

Abstract: When Teflon is heated the developing fumes produce in exposed humans an influenza-like syndrome (polymer fume fever) or also severe toxic effects like pulmonary edema, pneumonitis and death. The decomposition products and the resulting health effects are temperature-dependent. The toxic effects seem to be related to the ultrafine particulate fraction of the fume. To test the hypothesis that exposure to ultrafine particles results in an increased interstitialization of the particles which is accompanied by an acute pathological inflammation, rats were exposed to titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles by intratracheal instillation and by inhalation. Both acute intratracheal instillation and subchronic inhalation studies on rats show that ultrafine TiO2 particles (~20 nm diameter) access the pulmonary interstitium to a larger extent than fine particles (~250 nm diameter) and that they elicit an inflammatory response as indicated by PMN increase in lavaged cells. The release of ultrafine particles into the air of an enclosed environment from a thermodegradation event or from other sources is a potential hazard for astronauts. Knowing the mechanisms of action is a prerequisite for technical or medical countermeasures.
Ref: Part 2—Biomedical support. Polymer degradation and ultrafine particles: Potential inhalation hazards for astronauts. by J. Ferin and G. Oberdörster (Environmental Health Sciences Center School of Medicine & Dentistry University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA). Acta Astronautica Volume 27 , July 1992, Pages 257-259.

Abstract: Urinary fluoride levels were investigated as an index of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) exposure, since carbonyl fluoride, a pyrolysis product of PTFE, is metabolized and excreted as inorganic fluoride ion. Spot urine samples and occupational histories relating to polyment fume fever were obtained from 77 workers at a small PTFE fabricating plant. Environmental air samples for PTFE were taken. Air levels of PTFE ranging from 0-5.48 mg/m-3 were found. All urine values fell below the level at which systemic effects are reported to occur. Analysis of variance demonstrated that the mean urinary fluoride level among workers who had 1 or more years of exposure to PFTE who also had experienced 1 or more reported episodes of polymer fume fever was significantly higher (P< 0.01) than that among employees with less than 1 yr or more of exposure and no history of polymer fume fever. Additional exposure beyond 1 yr and additional polymer fume fever episodes did not result in the further elevation of urine fluoride levels.
Ref: Urinary fluoride levels in polytetrafluoroethylene fabricators; POLAKOFF PL, BUSCH KA , OKAWA MT. AM IND HYG ASSOC J; 35 (2). 1974 99-106.

Abstract: Teflon (9002-84-0), a physically inert tetrafluoroethylene (116-14-3) resin, is discussed in a paper presented at the American Industrial Hygiene Association Annual Meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 26, 1955, and it is noted that its pyrolytic products are toxic, and exposure to various mixtures of them will induce polymer fume fever in humans. The latter influenza like syndrome has not been reproduced in animals. Sufficiently intense exposure of animals to Teflon's thermal products, however, is generally lethal. The associated evidence of pulmonary edema, together with other early test results, originally suggested that hydrogen fluoride (7664-39-3) (HF) was the responsible toxic agent. The pyrolysis of Teflon starts at 200 degrees-C and proceeds slowly up to 420 degrees-C; at 500 to 550 degrees-C, the degradational weight loss reaches 10% to 5% per hour, respectively, depending on conditions. In the temperature range 300 to 360 degrees-C, hexafluoroethane (C2F6) and octafluorocyclobutane (C4F8) were identified as decomposition products. In the range 380 to 400 degrees-C, octafluoroisobutylene (also C4F8) could be detected and, at 500 to 550 degrees-C, the chief pyrolysis products other than tetrafluoroethylene (116143) (C2F4) were hexafluoropropylene (116154), (C3F6) octafluorocyclobutane, and octafluoroisobutylene plus a complex residue of perfluoroolefins. Inhalation toxicity tests indicated that the octafluoroisobutylene gas, the most potent product, was approximately ten times as toxic as phosgene (75-44-5). The rat mortality factor seemed to be proportional to the product of exposure time and Teflon surface area as a function of pyrolysis temperature. Teflon 6, a lower molecular weight polymer than Teflon 1, produced more toxic pyrolysis products. Other kinds of industrial polymers were observed to produce lethal atmospheres under less drastic conditions than either form of Teflon.
Ref: Toxicity of Pyrolysis Products of "Teflon" Tetrafluoroethylene Resin by Zapp JA Jr, Limperos G, Brinker KC. Proceedings of the American Industrial Hygiene Association Annual Meeting, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 26, 1955.

Abstract: An incident where five cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) died within 30 minutes following exposure from a frying pan coated with the plastic polytetrafluoroethylene (900-284-0) (PTFE) that had accidentally overheated is reported. Within an hour the owner developed symptoms of polymer fume fever but recovered within 24 hours. A PTFE coated milk pan boiled dry for 15 minutes with the cockatiels in a cage in the next room. The birds were examined by a veterinary surgeon and were found to be normal except for the lungs, which were severely congested and edematous and were considered to be the cause of death. It is concluded that parakeets are unusually susceptable to the pyrolyses products of frying pans coated with plastic polytetrafluoroethylene.
Ref. Case of Polytetrafluoroethylene Poisoning in Cockatiels Accompanied by Polymer Fume Fever in the Owner by Blandford TB, Hughes R, Seamon PJ, Pattison M, Wilderspin MP. Veterinary Record, Vol. 96, pages 175-176, 6 references, 1975.

Abstract: Background: Certain fluorocarbon polymers can produce a clinical syndrome called polymer fume fever when the products of pyrolysis are inhaled. Summary: A previously healthy 21-year-old white man presented with severe chest tightness, difficulty in breathing, pyrexia, nausea, vomiting, and a dry irritating cough. These symptoms occurred suddenly while smoking a cigarette 2 hours after leaving his place of work, where he is a plastics machinist. A chest roentgenogram revealed a bilateral patchy alveolar air space filling pattern involving the mid and lower lung fields. The diagnosis of polymer fume fever was established on the basis of the symptom complex, the association with cigarette smoking, and the occupational exposure to micronized polytetrafluoroethylene. Conclusions: A thorough occupational and smoking history is necessary to recognize polymer fume disease, which may resemble influenza.
Ref: Acute noncardiogenic pulmonary edema due to polymer fume fever. by SILVER MJ, YOUNG DK. CLEVELAND CLINIC JOURNAL OF MEDICINE; 60 (6). 1993. 479-482.

Abstract: A case of marked progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after several episodes of occupational inhalation fever in a carding machine operator was reported. The patient was a 45 year old male with a history of exertional dyspnea who experienced recurrent episodes of flu like symptoms beginning 2 weeks after starting work at a synthetic textile plant. After approximately 9 months on the job the patient was hospitalized with fever, chills, chest pain, productive cough, and malaise that had not responded to antibiotic treatment. A decreased white cell count was seen along with evidence of moderately severe obstructive disease. The patient returned to work after the acute symptoms resolved; however, he experienced dyspnea with mild exertion at this time. The flu like illnesses continued to recur over the next 18 months at which time the patient stopped working on the advice of his physician. He was hospitalized 1 month later with chest pain and diaphoresis. Severe obstruction with a significant bronchodilator response was seen and he was placed on disability leave. Polymer fume fever due to exposure to polytetrafluoroethylene (9002-84-0) was suspected as the cause of his illness. A subsequent examination of the patient's workplace demonstrated that major renovations had been done since his departure to improve chemical contamination and air quality; however, potential for significant exposures to formaldehyde (50000) were still evident. The authors conclude that polymer fume fever may not always be a benign, self limiting disease and may result in permanent airways damage. Long term follow up is recommended.
Ref: Progression of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease after Multiple Episodes of an Occupational Inhalation Fever by Kales SN, Christiani DC. Journal of Occupational Medicine, Vol. 36, No. 1, Grant No. T15-OH-07096, pages 75-78, 10 references, 1994.

Abstract: Polymer fume fever and other syndromes related to the inhalation of fluoropolymer pyrolysis products were discussed in this review. Polymer fume fever has primarily been seen following the inhalation of thermal decomposition products of materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene (9002-84-0) (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene-propylene (61789002), and perfluoroalkoxyethylene resins. The disease has been identified in plastics, chemical, electronics, textile manufacturing, rubber stamp shop, print shop, and aircraft repair shop workers as well as in several isolated occupational and residential incidents. The pyrolysis and combustion chemistry of PTFE and other fluoropolymers was discussed. Animal studies on fluoropolymer inhalation toxicology and pathology have demonstrated pulmonary hemorrhage, edema, focal emphysema, and interstitial fibrosis and the toxicity varied with the temperature of pyrolysis, the test animal, length of study, and the presence or absence of particles. Early clinical features in humans have included flu like symptoms, chest discomfort, leukocytosis with a left shift, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and inconsistent pulmonary function alterations. The disease has generally tended to be acute and self limiting however late sequelae such as pulmonary infiltrates and persistent ventilatory impairment have been documented. A crude dose response relationship for cases with severe pulmonary damage has been suggested. The use of urinary fluoride levels for biological monitoring of fluoride exposure was discussed. Exposure standards established by the OSHA were presented.
Ref: Polymer Fume Fever and Other Fluorocarbon Pyrolysis-Related Syndromes. by Shusterman DJ. Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Reviews, Vol. 8, No. 3, pages 519-531, 66 references, 1993.

Abstract: Employee interviews were conducted, work practices were observed, and ventilation systems were inspected at the Plastic Department of the Xomox Corporation (SIC-3079) in Cincinnati, Ohio on May 30 and July 24, 1979. The evaluations were requested by the company's Safety Coordinator to determine if employee reports of polymer fume fever were due to exposure to decomposition products of Teflon fluorocarbon polymer (9002-84-0). Because of the variety of products generated by fluorocarbon polymer decomposition, no sampling or analysis techniques were considered adequate, and no evaluation criteria for exposure levels exist. Results from employee interviews show that six of 15 workers experienced symptoms which they attributed to the work environment and three others reported some symptoms, including fever, chills, respiratory difficulties, and headaches. It is concluded that only the stripping operations area can be identified as a definite exposure area. It is recommended that a no smoking rule be enforced in all areas where polymers are handled and processed. Recommendations also are made for routine medical examinations, engineering controls to improve ventilation, use of respirators, and workplace hygiene.
Ref: Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance Report No. TA-79-32, Xomox Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio. by Tharr DG. Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance Branch, NIOSH, Cincinnati, Ohio, Report No. TA-79-32, 10 pages, 4 references, 1979.

Abstract: An epidemiologic investigation of an outbreak of polymer fume fever in a large industrial facility was conducted. A history form was used to collect data from all employees working in selected areas of a fabricated metals facility where epoxy resins were used for bonding. All workers with polymer fume fever symptoms were subjected to ventilatory function studies. Symptoms were observed in 59 percent of the workers interviewed. The most frequent complaint was a tightness of the chest. Workers usually noticed symptoms after being at work 4 to 5 hours. Attacks occurred at least once per week for most workers. Among those with symptoms, only 9 of 36 did not smoke. Ventilatory function studies failed to demonstrate any pulmonary findings attributed to occupational exposure. The authors conclude that the outbreak was due to the recent introduction of polytetrafluoroethylene (9002-84-0) into the industrial process. Fine dusts were deposited on the workers hands and ingested via their cigarettes. For nonsmokers, exposure was probably caused by the use of a small hot air gun in the factory which generated hot air currents that were inhaled.
Ref: An Epidemic of Polymer-Fume Fever. by Lewis CE, Kerby GR. Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 191, No. 5, pages 375-378, 18 references, 1965.

Abstract: Thirty payroll and eight staff employees of a polytetrafluoroethylene (9002-84-0) (PTFE) manufacturing plant were interviewed and the plant investigated to determine the cause of polymer fume fever in plant employees. Fourteen of the 30 payroll employees had experienced symptoms of the fever in the two months previous to the interview. Thirty-two incidents of polymer fume fever were reported by these 14 workers. Only employees working in the finishing room, where PTFE was dried, sifted, and packed, had been affected. Of the 18 men who worked in the finishing room, 12 who were smokers accounted for 30 incidents. Six of the workers who rolled their own cigarettes had incurred 21 of these 30 attacks. Of the eight staff employees, only one, a pipe smoker, had experienced an attack of polymer fume fever. Air samples were taken in the finishing room at points close to the drying ovens and the ovens where the polymer was further heated when required. When PTFE was heated to normal drying temperatures, hydrochloric-acid (7647010) was occasionally detected in concentrations up to 35ppm. Hydrogen fluoride (7664393), in concentrations no greater than 6ppm, was detected when the temperature was increased beyond 300 degrees-C. The results indicate that the majority of incidents of polymer fume fever resulted from the smoking of PTFE contaminated tobacco. Precautionary measures, designed to prevent further incidents of polymer fume fever, were recommended.
Ref: Polymer Fume Fever Due to Inhalation of Fumes from Polytetrafluoroethylene. by Adams WGF. Transactions of the Association of Industrial Medical Officers, Vol. 13, pages 20-21, 4 references, 1963.

Abstract: Polymer fume fever and other syndromes related to the inhalation of fluoropolymer pyrolysis products were discussed in this review. Polymer fume fever has primarily been seen following the inhalation of thermal decomposition products of materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene (9002-84-0) (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene-propylene (61789002), and perfluoroalkoxyethylene resins. The disease has been identified in plastics, chemical, electronics, textile manufacturing, rubber stamp shop, print shop, and aircraft repair shop workers as well as in several isolated occupational and residential incidents. The pyrolysis and combustion chemistry of PTFE and other fluoropolymers was discussed. Animal studies on fluoropolymer inhalation toxicology and pathology have demonstrated pulmonary hemorrhage, edema, focal emphysema, and interstitial fibrosis and the toxicity varied with the temperature of pyrolysis, the test animal, length of study, and the presence or absence of particles. Early clinical features in humans have included flu like symptoms, chest discomfort, leukocytosis with a left shift, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and inconsistent pulmonary function alterations. The disease has generally tended to be acute and self limiting however late sequelae such as pulmonary infiltrates and persistent ventilatory impairment have been documented. A crude dose response relationship for cases with severe pulmonary damage has been suggested. The use of urinary fluoride levels for biological monitoring of fluoride exposure was discussed. Exposure standards established by the OSHA were presented.
Ref: Polymer Fume Fever and Other Fluorocarbon Pyrolysis-Related Syndromes. by Shusterman DJ. Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Reviews, Vol. 8, No. 3, pages 519-531, 66 references, 1993.

POLYMER-FUME FEVER. Discussion. The Lancet, Volume 300, Issue 7766, 1 July 1972, Pages 27-28.

POLYMER-FUME FEVER. Correspondence. The Lancet, Volume 258, Issue 6694, 15 December 1951, Pages 1141-1142.
R. N. Compton Smith.

POLYMER-FUME FEVER. Article. The Lancet, Volume 258, Issue 6692, 1 December 1951, Pages 1008-1011. D. Kenwin Harris.

 
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