Fluoroacetic Acid. Extremely Haz Substance. 1987 US EPA Chemical Profile.

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Fluoroacetic Acid. Extremely Hazardous Substance.
November 30, 1987, US EPA Chemical Profile.

EPA CHEMICAL PROFILE

http://www.epa.gov/swercepp/ehs/profile/144490p.txt

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

CHEMICAL IDENTITY -- FLUOROACETIC ACID

CAS Registry Number: 144-49-0

SECTION VI -- USE INFORMATION Rodenticide (Hawley 1981, p. 470). The sodium salt of this material is used as a rodent poison (*Patty 1963).

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Synonyms: Acetic Acid, Fluoro-; 2-Fluoroacetic Acid; alpha-Fluoroacetic Acid; Cymonic Acid; FAA; Fluoroethanoic Acid; Gifblaar Poison; HFA; MFA; Monofluoroacetic Acid

Chemical Formula: C2H3FO2

Molecular Weight: 78.04

SECTION I -- REGULATORY INFORMATION

CERCLA (SARA) 1986:

Toxicity Value Used for Listing Under Section 302: LD50 oral (guinea pig) 0.468 mg/kg (*NIOSH/RTECS 1985)

TPQ: 10/10,000 (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: Solid

Boiling Point: 329F, 165C (*Weast 1979)

Specific Gravity (H2O=1): 1.3693 at 97F, 36C (*Weast 1979)

Vapor Pressure (mmHg): Not Found

Melting Point: 95.4F, 35.2C (*Weast 1979)

Vapor Density (AIR=1): Not Found

Evaporation Rate (Butyl acetate=1): Not Found

Solubility in Water: Soluble (Weast 1983, p. 597)

Appearance and Odor: Colorless crystals (*Hawley 1977)

SECTION III -- HEALTH HAZARD DATA

OSHA PEL: TWA 0.05 mg/m3 (for sodium salt) (OSHA 1984, p. 663)

ACGIH TLV: TWA 0.05 mg/m3; STEL 0.15 mg/m3 (for sodium salt) (*ACGIH 1980)

IDLH: Not Found

Other Limits Recommended: IDLH for sodium salt: 5 mg/m3 (NIOSH/OSHA 1978, p. 166).

Routes of Entry:

Inhalation: Yes (*Sax 1975)

Skin: Yes (*Rumack 1975 to Present)

Ingestion: Yes (*Sax 1975)

Health Hazards (Acute, Delayed, and Chronic): This material is very toxic; ingestion of small quantities may cause death (*Sax 1975).

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: Not Found

SECTION IV -- FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA

Flash Point (Method Used): Not Found

Flammable Limits: Burns (*Merck 1976)

LEL: Not Found

UEL: Not Found

Extinguishing Methods: Small fires: use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or foam. For large fires, use water spray, fog, or foam (DOT 1984, Guide 59).

Special Fire Fighting Procedures: Stay upwind; keep out of low areas. Wear self-contained, positive pressure breathing apparatus and full protective clothing. Move container from fire area. Cool containers that are expo

sed to flames with water from the side until well after fire is out (DOT 1984, Guide 59). Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: When heated to decomposition, it emits highly toxic fumes of fluorine containing compounds (*Sax 1979). Some of these materials may burn but none ignite readily. These materials may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) (DOT 1984, Guide 59).

NFPA Flammability Rating: Not Found

SECTION V -- REACTIVITY DATA

Stability: Unstable:

Stable: Yes (*Encyc Occupat Health and Safety 1971) Conditions to Avoid: Not Found

Incompatibility (Materials to Avoid): Not Found

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts: When heated to decomposition, it emits highly toxic fumes of fluorine containing compounds (*Sax 1979).

Hazardous Polymerization: May Occur: Not Found May Not Occur: Not Found

Conditions to Avoid: Not Found

SECTION VI -- USE INFORMATION Rodenticide (Hawley 1981, p. 470). The sodium salt of this material is used as a rodent poison (*Patty 1963).

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

Do not touch spilled material. Stop leak if you can do so without risk. Stay upwind; keep out of low areas. Use water spray to reduce vapors. For small spills, take up with sand or other noncombustible absorbent material and place into containers for later disposal. For large spills, dike 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**

Butyl/Neoprene GOOD/LIMITED**

CPE GOOD/LIMITED**

Neoprene GOOD/LIMITED**

Nitrile GOOD/LIMITED**

PE POOR/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: The major symptoms of fluoroacetic acid poisoning include severe epileptiform convulsions alternating with coma and depression; death may result from asphyxia during convulsion or from respiratory failure. Cardiac irregularities, such as ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest, nausea, vomiting, excessive salivation, numbness, tingling sensations, epigastric pain, mental apprehension, muscular twitching, low blood pressure, and blurred vision may also occur (*Encyc Occupat Health and Safety 1971).

Emergency and First Aid Procedures: 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 (DOT 1984, Guide 59).