Ethylene fluorohydrin. Extremely Haz Substance. 1987 US EPA Chem Profile.

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Ethylene fluorohydrin. Extremely Hazardous Substance. US EPA Chemical Profile. November 30, 1987.

• See List of U.S. EPA of Extremely Hazardous Substances:
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EPA CHEMICAL PROFILE

Date: October 31, 1985 Revision: November 30, 1987

CHEMICAL IDENTITY -- ETHYLENE FLUOROHYDRIN

CAS Registry Number: 371-62-0

SECTION VI -- USE INFORMATION

Ethylene Fluorohydrin is used as a rodenticide (Hayes 1982, p. 500), insectide (Gosselin 1984, p. III-193), and acaricide (Buchel 1983, p. 177). Not registered as a pesticide in the U.S. (USEPA/Active Ingredients 1985).

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Synonyms (NIOSH/RTECS 1983 Synonyms, Volume 2, p. 252): Ethanol, 2-Fluoro-; beta-Fluoroethanol; 2-Fluoroethanol; TL 741

Chemical Formula: C2H5FO

Molecular Weight: 64.07

SECTION I -- REGULATORY INFORMATION

CERCLA (SARA) 1986:

Toxicity Value Used for Listing Under Section 302: LC50 inhalation (dog) 0.007 mg/liter/10 minutes (*NIOSH/RTECS 1985)

TPQ: 10 (pounds)

RQ: 1 (pounds) (statutory, for notification under SARA Section 304(a)(2))

Section 313 Listed (Yes or No): No

SECTION II -- PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Physical State: Liquid

Boiling Point: 218.3F, 103.5C (Weast 1979, p. C-297)

Specific Gravity (H2O=1): 1.1040 at 20C/4C (Weast 1979, p. C-297)

Vapor Pressure (mmHg): Not Found

Melting Point: -15.61F, -26.45C (Weast 1979, p. C-297)

Vapor Density (AIR=1): Not Found Evaporation Rate (Butyl acetate=1): Not Found

Solubility in Water: Miscible (Weast 1979, p. C-297)

Appearance and Odor: Liquid (Hayes 1983, p. 500)

SECTION III -- HEALTH HAZARD DATA

OSHA PEL: Not Found

ACGIH TLV: Not Found

IDLH: Not Found

Other Limits Recommended: Not Found

Routes of Entry:

Inhalation: Yes (Sax 1984, p. 1437)

Skin: Yes (Sax 1984, p. 1437)

Ingestion: Yes (Hayes 1982, p. 500)

Health Hazards (Acute, Delayed, and Chronic): Toxicity rating is the same as for fluoroacetate, super toxic. The probable oral lethal dose in humans is a taste (less than 7 drops) for a 70 kg (150 lb.) person (Gosselin 1984, p. II-198). The chemical is highly toxic when inhaled or absorbed through the skin (Sax 1984, p. 1437). Toxicity depends on its oxidation to fluoroacetate by tissue alcohol dehydrogenase (Hayes 1982, p. 500).

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: Not Found

SECTION IV -- FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA

Flash Point (Method Used): 31C (Hayes 1982, p. 500) Flammable Limits:

LEL: Not Found

UEL: Not Found

Extinguishing Methods: Not Found

Special Fire Fighting Procedures: Not Found

Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Toxic fluoride fumes may be emitted in a fire (Sax 1984, p. 1437).

NFPA Flammability Rating: Not Found

SECTION V -- REACTIVITY DATA

Stability: Unstable: Not Found

Stable: Not Found

Conditions to Avoid: Not Found Incompatibility (Materials to Avoid): Not Found Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts: When heated to decomposition, it emits very toxic fumes of fluorides (Sax 1984, p. 1437). Hazardous Polymerization: May Occur: Not Found May Not Occur: Not Found Conditions to Avoid: Not Found

SECTION VI -- USE INFORMATION

Ethylene Fluorohydrin is used as a rodenticide (Hayes 1982, p. 500), insectide (Gosselin 1984, p. III-193), and acaricide (Buchel 1983, p. 177). Not registered as a pesticide in the U.S. (USEPA/Active Ingredients 1985).

SECTION VII -- PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE HANDLING AND USE (Steps to be Taken in Case Material is Released or Spilled)

Avoid inhalation and skin contact (see Section III above). (Non-Specific -- Fluoroacetic Acid) Do not touch spilled material; stop leak if you can do so without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors. Small spills: absorb with sand or other noncombustible absorbent material and place into containers for later disposal. Large spills: dike far ahead of spill for later disposal (DOT 1984, Guide 59).

SECTION VIII -- PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit. See the introductory information section at the beginning of the profiles for additional information.

SUIT MATERIAL PERFORMANCE (Based on EPA/USCG "Guidelines", 1987) (Chemical Resistance/Amount of Data)

Butyl GOOD/LIMITED**

CPE GOOD/LIMITED**

Viton GOOD/LIMITED**

Viton/Neoprene GOOD/LIMITED**

*Based on qualitative performance information.

**Based on a chemical analog.

SECTION IX -- EMERGENCY TREATMENT INFORMATION

Signs and Symptoms of Exposure: Symptoms include tremors, severe muscular weakness, nausea, headache, and slight swelling of the liver (Hayes 1982, p. 500). Delayed convulsant (Gosselin 1984, p. II-198).

Emergency and First Aid Procedures: Acute poisoning should be treated like poisoning by fluoroacetate. Ethylene fluorohydrin (2-fluoroethanol) is listed among the organic fluorine derivatives of fluoroacetic acid (Hayes 1982, p. 501). The emergency procedures for fluoroacetic acid are: move victim to fresh air; call emergency medical care. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. In case of contact with material, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes at the site. Keep victim quiet and maintain normal body temperature. Effects may be delayed; keep victim under observation (DOT 1984, Guide 59).

COMMENTS:

Sources searched but no information found:

Student 1981

DASE 1980

Hawley 1981

NFPA 1984

Weiss 1980

Merck 1983

CHRIS 1978

Farm Chemicals Handbook 1984