METHANESULFONYL FLUORIDE
CASRN: 558-25-8 For other data, click on the Table of Contents
Human Health Effects:
Drug Warnings:
Food and Environmental Agents: Effect on Breast-Feeding: Reported Sign or
Symptom in Infant or Effect on Lactation: Fluorides: None. /from Table 7/ [Report of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs
in Pediatrics 93 (1): 142 (1994)]**QC REVIEWED**
Emergency Medical Treatment:
Emergency Medical Treatment:
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The following Overview, *** METHANESULFONYL FLUORIDE
***, is relevant for this HSDB record chemical.
Life Support:
o This overview assumes that basic life support measures
have been instituted.
Clinical Effects:
SUMMARY OF EXPOSURE
0.2.1.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
o Methanesulfonyl fluoride is an anticholinesterase
compound used as a precursor in the synthesis of
perfluoromethane sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF).
Methanesulfonyl fluoride is an irreversible inhibitor
of acetylcholinesterase in vitro.
o Methanesulfonyl fluoride causes acetylcholinesterase
inhibition and typical signs of anticholinesterase
poisoning in experimental animals. No cases of human
poisoning with this agent were found at the time of
this review.
1. Symptoms noted in experimental animals exposed by
either the inhalation or intravenous routes included
excessive salivation, exudates from the eyes and nose,
vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, ataxia,
muscle fasciculations, hyperventilation, bronchospasm,
and convulsions.
2. Rats exposed by inhalation to low concentrations also
had subclinical elevations of blood glucose, serum
creatinine, and total bilirubin.
o The following signs and symptoms are those PREDICTED TO
OCCUR in ANTICHOLINESTERASE POISONING IN GENERAL. Not
all have necessarily been described following exposure
to methanesulfonyl fluoride.
1. ANTICHOLINESTERASE COMPOUNDS produce MUSCARINIC
effects due to inhibition of acetylcholinesterase.
Typical muscarinic effects include: sweating,
salivation, increased bronchial secretions, miosis,
bradycardia, hypotension, vomiting and diarrhea,
bronchoconstriction, and urinary and fecal
incontinence.
2. Other manifestations of ANTICHOLINESTERASE poisoning
arise from their effects on NICOTINIC receptors.
These nicotinic effects include fasciculations and
weakness of muscles, tachycardia, hypertension, and
mydriasis.
3. ANTICHOLINESTERASE COMPOUNDS can also affect the
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, producing restlessness,
anxiety, headaches, convulsions, and coma.
o Methanesulfonyl fluoride releases toxic and irritating
fumes of fluorides and oxides of sulfur when heated to
decomposition. Inhalation exposure to such products of
combustion would be predicted to result in respiratory
tract irritation with chemical pneumonitis,
bronchospasm, or noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
o From available data, it is not apparent that systemic
FLUORIDE poisoning can occur following exposure to
methanesulfonyl fluoride. Should fluoride poisoning be
suspected, refer to the FLUORIDE MEDITEXT(R) Medical
Management FOR MORE INFORMATION.
VITAL SIGNS
0.2.3.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
o Hyperventilation, bradycardia, tachycardia,
hypertension, or hypotension may be seen.
HEENT
0.2.4.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
o Exudates from the eyes and nose, hypersalivation, and
either miosis or mydriasis may occur.
CARDIOVASCULAR
0.2.5.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
o Bradycardia, tachycardia, hypertension, or hypotension
may be seen.
RESPIRATORY
0.2.6.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
o Symptoms noted in experimental animals included
hyperventilation and bronchospasm. Typical muscarinic
effects include increased bronchial secretions and
bronchoconstriction.
o Inhalation exposure to products of combustion would be
predicted to result in respiratory tract irritation
with chemical pneumonitis, bronchospasm, or
noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
NEUROLOGIC
0.2.7.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
o Symptoms noted in experimental animals included CNS
depression, tremors, ataxia, and convulsions.
o ANTICHOLINESTERASE COMPOUNDS can affect the CENTRAL
NERVOUS SYSTEM, producing restlessness, anxiety,
headaches, convulsions, and coma.
GASTROINTESTINAL
0.2.8.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
o Symptoms noted in experimental animals included
excessive salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea. Typical
muscarinic effects include vomiting, diarrhea, and
fecal incontinence.
HEPATIC
0.2.9.2 CHRONIC EXPOSURE
o Rats exposed by inhalation to low concentrations had
subclinical elevations of total bilirubin.
GENITOURINARY
0.2.10.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
o Urinary frequency or incontinence may be seen.
0.2.10.2 CHRONIC EXPOSURE
o Rats exposed by inhalation to low concentrations had
subclinical elevations of serum creatinine.
DERMATOLOGIC
0.2.14.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
o Typical muscarinic effects include sweating.
MUSCULOSKELETAL
0.2.15.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
o Symptoms noted in experimental animals included ataxia
and muscle fasciculations. Nicotinic effects can
include fasciculations and weakness of muscles.
ENDOCRINE
0.2.16.2 CHRONIC EXPOSURE
o Rats exposed by inhalation to low concentrations had
subclinical elevations of blood glucose.
METABOLISM
0.2.17.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
o Methanesulfonyl fluoride is an irreversible inhibitor
of acetylcholinesterase in vitro. It also inhibits
butyrylcholinesterase and trypsinogen in vitro.
REPRODUCTIVE HAZARDS
o At the time of this review, no data were available to
assess the teratogenic potential of this agent.
o At the time of this review, no data were available to
assess the potential effects of exposure to this agent
during pregnancy or lactation.
o No information about possible male reproductive effects
was found in available references at the time of this
review.
CARCINOGENICITY
0.2.21.2 HUMAN OVERVIEW
o At the time of this review, no data were available to
assess the carcinogenic potential of this agent.
GENOTOXICITY
o At the time of this review, no data were available to
assess the mutagenic or genotoxic potential of this
agent.
Laboratory:
o Rats exposed by inhalation to low concentrations also had
subclinical elevations of blood glucose, serum creatinine,
and total bilirubin.
1. Monitoring blood glucose and liver and renal function
tests would be advisable in patients with significant
exposure.
o In a study with rats exposed chronically to low doses of
methanesulfonyl fluoride by inhalation, fluoride did not
accumulate in the blood or liver. It is not known whether
or not systemic fluorosis could occur following exposure
to higher doses.
1. If signs or symptoms of systemic fluorosis are present in
patients with significant methanesulfonyl fluoride
exposure, monitoring serum fluoride levels would be
advisable.
a. The normal serum concentration is 0.4 to 2 mcg% (mcg/dL)
for ionic fluorides.
2. Serum calcium should be checked if fluoride poisoning is
suspected, and may be decreased in some cases.
3. Serum electrolyte levels should be closely monitored in a
seriously fluoride poisoned patient, particularly
potassium and calcium.
4. If systemic fluoride poisoning is suspected, monitor EKG.
The presence of peaked T waves may indicate hyperkalemia;
prolonged Q-T interval may indicate hypocalcemia.
5. Chronic fluorosis is diagnosed based on clinical
manifestations and x-rays showing increased bone density,
mineral deposits in ligaments, tendons, and muscles, and
periosteal outgrowths.
o IN PATIENTS WITH SYMPTOMS of ANTICHOLINESTERASE POISONING,
monitor erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase and plasma
cholinesterase levels.
o If respiratory tract irritation, excessive bronchial
secretions, or bronchospasm occur following exposure,
monitor arterial blood gases.
o For fluoride workers, urine fluoride determination should
be taken every 6 months.
1. Several sources have suggested maximum urine excretion
values of 4 (preshift) and 7 (postshift) mg/L in
occupational exposures.
o If respiratory tract irritation, excessive bronchial
secretions, or bronchospasm occur following exposure,
monitor chest x-ray.
Treatment Overview:
SUMMARY EXPOSURE
o The following treatment recommendations are adapted from
those for other anticholinesterase compounds, such as
organophosphates. They will only be appropriate in
Methanesulfonyl Fluoride poisoning if signs or symptoms
of anticholinesterase poisoning are present. Patients
must be carefully evaluated for such signs or symptoms
before initiating these treatments.
o From available data, it is not apparent that systemic
Fluoride poisoning can occur following exposure to
methanesulfonyl fluoride. Should such fluoride
poisoning be suspected, refer to the Fluoride
Meditext(R) Medical Management for more information.
ORAL EXPOSURE
o Inducing emesis is CONTRAINDICATED because of possible
respiratory depression and seizures.
o GASTRIC LAVAGE: Consider after ingestion of a
potentially life-threatening amount of poison if it can
be performed soon after ingestion (generally within 1
hour). Protect airway by placement in Trendelenburg and
left lateral decubitus position or by endotracheal
intubation. Control any seizures first.
1. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Loss of airway protective reflexes
or decreased level of consciousness in unintubated
patients; following ingestion of corrosives;
hydrocarbons (high aspiration potential); patients at
risk of hemorrhage or gastrointestinal perforation; and
trivial or non-toxic ingestion.
o ACTIVATED CHARCOAL/CATHARTIC: Administer charcoal
slurry, aqueous or mixed with saline cathartic or
sorbitol. The FDA suggests 240 mL of diluent/30 g of
charcoal. Usual charcoal dose is 25 to 100 grams in
adults and adolescents, 25 to 50 grams in children (1 to
12 years old), and 1 gram/kilogram in infants less than
1 year old.
1. Routine use of cathartics is NOT recommended. If used,
administer only ONE dose of cathartic. Administer one
dose of a cathartic, mixed with charcoal or given
separately. See "Treatment: Prevention of Absorption"
in the main document.
o Suction oral secretions until atropinization.
o ATROPINE THERAPY - If symptomatic, administer IV
atropine until atropinization is achieved. Adult - 2 to
5 mg every 10 to 15 minutes; Child - 0.05 mg/kg every 10
to 15 minutes. Atropinization may be required for hours
to days depending on severity.
o PRALIDOXIME (Protopam, 2-PAM): Treat moderate to severe
poisoning (fasciculations, muscle weakness, respiratory
depression, coma, seizures) with 2-PAM in addition to
atropine; most effective if given within 48 hours, but
has had efficacy up to 6 days. May require
administration for several days.
1. INITIAL DOSE: ADULT: 1 to 2 g in 100 to 150 ml 0.9%
saline IV over 30 min. CHILD: 20 to 50 mg/kg as a 5%
solution IV over 30 min.
2. Repeat these doses in 1 hour and then every 6 to 12
hours if muscle weakness or fasciculations persist, or
begin continuous infusion.
3. CONTINUOUS INFUSION: Administer as a 2.5% solution in
0.9% saline. ADULT: 500 mg/hour. CHILD: 9 to 19
mg/kg/hour.
o CONTRAINDICATIONS - Succinylcholine and other
cholinergic agents.
o SEIZURES: Administer a benzodiazepine IV; DIAZEPAM
(ADULT: 5 to 10 mg, repeat every 10 to 15 min as
needed. CHILD: 0.2 to 0.5 mg/kg, repeat every 5 min
as needed) or LORAZEPAM (ADULT: 4 to 8 mg; CHILD: 0.05
to 0.1 mg/kg).
1. Consider phenobarbital if seizures recur after diazepam
30 mg (adults) or 10 mg (children > 5 years).
2. Monitor for hypotension, dysrhythmias, respiratory
depression, and need for endotracheal intubation.
Evaluate for hypoglycemia, electrolyte disturbances,
hypoxia.
o PULMONARY EDEMA (NONCARDIOGENIC): Maintain ventilation
and oxygenation and evaluate with frequent arterial
blood gas or pulse oximetry monitoring. Early use of
PEEP and mechanical ventilation may be needed.
o HYPOTENSION: Infuse 10 to 20 mL/kg isotonic fluid,
place in Trendelenburg position. If hypotension
persists, administer dopamine (5 to 20 mcg/kg/min) or
norepinephrine (0.1 to 0.2 mcg/kg/min), titrate to
desired response.
INHALATION EXPOSURE
o INHALATION: Move patient to fresh air. Monitor for
respiratory distress. If cough or difficulty breathing
develops, evaluate for respiratory tract irritation,
bronchitis, or pneumonitis. Administer oxygen and
assist ventilation as required. Treat bronchospasm with
beta2 agonist and corticosteroid aerosols.
o If respiratory tract irritation or respiratory
depression is evident, monitor arterial blood gases,
chest x-ray, and pulmonary function tests.
o Carefully observe patients with inhalation exposure for
the development of any systemic signs or symptoms and
administer symptomatic treatment as necessary.
o Suction oral secretions until atropinization.
o Treatment should include recommendations listed in the
ORAL EXPOSURE section when appropriate.
o CONTRAINDICATIONS - Succinylcholine and other
cholinergic agents are contraindicated.
EYE EXPOSURE
o DECONTAMINATION: Irrigate exposed eyes with copious
amounts of tepid water for at least 15 minutes. If
irritation, pain, swelling, lacrimation, or photophobia
persist, the patient should be seen in a health care
facility.
o Patients symptomatic following exposure should be
observed in a controlled setting until all signs and
symptoms have fully resolved.
o Suction oral secretions until atropinization.
o Treatment should include recommendations listed in the
ORAL EXPOSURE section when appropriate.
o CONTRAINDICATIONS - Succinylcholine and other
cholinergic agents are contraindicated.
DERMAL EXPOSURE
o Systemic effects can occur from dermal exposure to
organophosphates.
o Remove contaminated clothing and jewelry; wash skin,
hair and nails vigorously with repeated soap washings.
Leather absorbs pesticides; all contaminated leather
should be discarded. Rescue personnel and bystanders
should avoid direct contact with contaminated skin,
clothing, or other objects.
o Treatment should include recommendations listed in the
ORAL EXPOSURE section when appropriate.
o Some chemicals can produce systemic poisoning by
absorption through intact skin. Carefully observe
patients with dermal exposure for the development of any
systemic signs or symptoms and administer symptomatic
treatment as necessary.
o CONTRAINDICATIONS - Succinylcholine and other
cholinergic agents are contraindicated.
Range of Toxicity:
o Minimum lethal human exposure is unknown.
o In rats exposed by inhalation to a concentration of 2.2
ppm for 1 hour, only minimal salivation was seen; at 5 ppm
for the same duration, copious salivation, eye and nose
exudates, diarrhea, depression, ataxia, and tremors were
observed.
1. Only subclinical alterations of blood glucose, serum
creatinine, total bilirubin, and depression of
acetylcholinesterase were noted in rats exposed by
inhalation to 19 or 91 ppb of methanesulfonyl fluoride
for 61 exposures, each lasting 7 hours.
Food and Environmental Agents: Effect on Breast-Feeding: Reported Sign or
Symptom in Infant or Effect on Lactation: Fluorides: None. /from Table 7/ [Report of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs
in Pediatrics 93 (1): 142 (1994)]**QC REVIEWED**
Environmental Fate & Exposure:
Environmental Standards & Regulations:
CERCLA Reportable Quantities:
Releases of CERCLA hazardous substances are subject to the release reporting
requirement of CERCLA section 103, codified at 40 CFR part 302, in addition
to the requirements of 40 CFR part 355. Methanesulfonyl fluoride
is an extremely hazardous substance (EHS) subject to reporting requirements
when stored in amounts in excess of its threshold planning quantity (TPQ) of
1,000 lbs. [40 CFR 355 (7/1/97)]**QC REVIEWED**
Chemical/Physical Properties:
Molecular Formula:
C-H3-F-O2-S [Weast, R.C. and M.J. Astle. CRC Handbook of Data on Organic
Compounds. Volumes I and II. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc. 1985.,p. V1 844]**QC
REVIEWED**
Molecular Weight:
98.09 [Weast, R.C. and M.J. Astle. CRC Handbook of Data on Organic
Compounds. Volumes I and II. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc. 1985.,p. V1 844]**QC
REVIEWED**
Boiling Point:
123-124 deg C [Weast, R.C. and M.J. Astle. CRC Handbook of Data on Organic
Compounds. Volumes I and II. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc. 1985.,p. V1 844]**QC
REVIEWED**
Octanol/Water Partition Coefficient:
Log Kow= 0.55 [Hansch, C. and A. Leo. The Log P Database. Claremont, CA: Pomona
College, 1987. 15]**QC REVIEWED**
Chemical Safety & Handling:
Hazardous Decomposition:
When heated to decomposition it emits ... fumes of fluoride
and sulfur oxides. [Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 6th
ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984. 1764]**QC REVIEWED**
Disposal Methods:
SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary
landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing
land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental
regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices. **PEER REVIEWED**
Occupational Exposure Standards:
Manufacturing/Use Information:
Major Uses:
Fumigant insecticide [Worthing, C.R. and S.B. Walker (eds.). The Pesticide Manual
- A World Compendium. 8th ed. Thornton Heath, UK: The British Crop Protection
Council, 1987. 893]**QC REVIEWED**
General Manufacturing Information:
Formerly marketed by Bayer AG as trade mark Fumette. [Worthing, C.R. and S.B. Walker (eds.). The Pesticide Manual
- A World Compendium. 8th ed. Thornton Heath, UK: The British Crop Protection
Council, 1987. 893]**QC REVIEWED**
Laboratory Methods:
Special References:
Synonyms and Identifiers:
Synonyms:
Fumette **QC REVIEWED**
Methanesulphonyl fluoride **QC REVIEWED**
MSF **QC REVIEWED**
RTECS Number:
NIOSH/PB2975000
Administrative Information:
Hazardous Substances Databank Number: 6397
Last Revision Date: 20010809
Update History:
Complete Update on 08/09/2001, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 02/08/2000, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 02/02/2000, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 09/21/1999, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 10/30/1998, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 06/03/1998, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 03/10/1998, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 11/01/1997, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 09/17/1997, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 05/09/1997, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 10/20/1996, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 05/14/1996, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 02/01/1996, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 08/21/1995, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 09/16/1994, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 08/15/1990, 12 fields added/edited/deleted.