Fluorouracil. Extremely Haz Substance. 1987 US EPA Chemical Profile.

FLUORIDE ACTION NETWORK PESTICIDE PROJECT

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

EPA CHEMICAL PROFILE

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

CHEMICAL IDENTITY -- FLUOROURACIL

CAS Registry Number: 51-21-8

SECTION VI -- USE INFORMATION

Antineoplastic drug (*Merck 1976); chemosterilant for insects (*White-Stevens 1976).

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Synonyms: Uracil, 5-Fluoro-; 5-Fluorouracil; Efudex; Fluoroplex; 2,4-Dioxo-5-Fluoropyrimidine; 5-Fluoro-2,4(1H,3H)-Pyrimidinedione; 5-Fluoro- 2,4-Pyrimidinedione; 5-Fluoropyrimidine-2,4-Dione; 5-Fluoropyrimidine- 2,4-Dione; Fluoro Uracil; Fluracil; Fluril; FU; 5-FU; NSC 19893; RO 2-9757; U-8953; 2,4(1H,3H)-Pyrimidinedione, 5-Fluoro-

Chemical Formula: C4H3FN2O2

Molecular Weight: 130.08

SECTION I -- REGULATORY INFORMATION

CERCLA (SARA) 1986:

Toxicity Value Used for Listing Under Section 302: LD50 oral (rabbit) 18.9 mg/kg (*NIOSH/RTECS 1985)

TPQ: 500/10,000 (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: Not Found

Specific Gravity (H2O=1): Not Found

Vapor Pressure (mmHg): Not Found

Melting Point: Decomposes at 540-541F, 282-283C (*Merck 1976)

Vapor Density (AIR=1): Not Found

Evaporation Rate (Butyl acetate=1): Not Found

Solubility in Water: 1 g in 80 mL of water (*Osol 1975)

Appearance and Odor: White to practically white crystalline powder; practically odorless (*Osol 1975)

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: Not Found Skin: Yes (Physicians' Desk Reference 1980, p. 1452) Ingestion: Yes (*Goodman 1975)

Health Hazards (Acute, Delayed, and Chronic): Minimum toxic dose in humans is approximately 450 mg/kg (total dose) over 30 days for the ingested drug. Intravenous minimum toxic dose in humans is a total dose of 6 mg/kg over three days. Depression of white blood cells occurred after intravenous administrative of a total dose of 480 mg/kg over 32 days (*NIOSH/RTECS 1978).

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: Occasional neuropathy and cardiac toxicity have been reported (Gilman 1985, pp. 1270-1271). Do not use during pregnancy (Physicians' Desk Reference 1980, p. 1455). Patients with impaired hepatic or renal function, with a history of high-dose pelvic irradiation or previous use of alkylating agents should be treated with extreme caution (Physicians' Desk Reference 1980, p. 1455). Patients with nutritional deficiencies and protein deple- tion have a reduced tolerance to fluorouracil (Gilman 1985, p. 1270).

SECTION IV -- FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA

Flash Point (Method Used): Not Found

Flammable Limits:

LEL: Not Found

UEL: Not Found

Extinguishing Methods: (Non-Specific -- Drugs or Medicines, n.o.s. (Solid) Poison B) Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire (material itself burns with difficulty). Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Use "alcohol" foam, carbon dioxide or dry chemical (Student 1981, p. 215).

Special Fire Fighting Procedures: (Non-Specific -- Drugs or Medicines, n.o.s. (Solid) Poison B) Avoid breathing dusts, and fumes from burning material. Keep upwind. Avoid bodily contact with the material. Wear boots, protective gloves, and goggles. Wear self-contained breathing apparatus (Student 1981, p. 215).

Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Not Found

NFPA Flammability Rating: Not Found

SECTION V -- REACTIVITY DATA

Stability:

Unstable:

Stable: Yes (*Osol 1975)

Conditions to Avoid: Decomposing heat (*Merck 1976)

Incompatibility (Materials to Avoid): Not Found

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts: Emits very toxic fumes of flourides and nitrogen oxides when heated to decomposition (Sax 1984, p. 1450).

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

Conditions to Avoid: Not Found

SECTION VI -- USE INFORMATION

Antineoplastic drug (*Merck 1976); chemosterilant for insects (*White-Stevens 1976).

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

(Non-Specific -- Drugs) Keep unnecessary people away; isolate hazard area and deny entry. Stay upwind; keep out of low areas. If water pollution occurs, notify appropriate authorities. Spill or leak: shut off ignition sources; no flares, smoking or flames in hazard area. Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil etc.) away from spilled material. Do not touch spilled material. 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 11).

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.

SECTION IX -- EMERGENCY TREATMENT INFORMATION

Signs and Symptoms of Exposure: Loss of appetite and nausea are earliest symptoms, with other symptoms of diarrhea, inflammation or sores in the mouth, gastric burning, and intestinal discomfort. More serious symptoms are due to the suppression of bone marrow, with decrease of white cell count and blood platelets, and anemia. Hair loss, nail changes, dermatitis, and pigmentation and atrophy of skin also occur (*Goodman 1975).

Emergency and First Aid Procedures: (Non-Specific -- Drugs) 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 11).