Nitrogen trifluoride

IDLH Documentation
CAS number: 7783­54­2

NIOSH REL: 10 ppm (29 mg/m3) TWA

1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL

Current OSHA PEL: 10 ppm (29 mg/m3) TWA

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 10 ppm (29 mg/m3) TWA

Description of substance: Colorless gas with a moldy odor.

LEL: . Nonflammable Gas

Original (SCP) IDLH: 2,000 ppm

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the mouse 4­hour LC50 of 2,000 ppm cited by Deichmann and Gerarde [1969]. Deichmann and Gerarde [1969] also stated that nitrogen trifluoride is a pulmonary irritant comparable in toxicity to the oxides of nitrogen.

Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:

Lethal concentration data:

Species
Reference
LC50

(ppm)
LCLo

(ppm)
Time
Adjusted 0.5-hr

LC (CF)
Derived value
MouseDeichmann & Gerarde 1969
2,000
-----
4 hr
4,000 ppm (2.0)
400 ppm
DogMacEwen & Vernot 1969
9,600
-----
1 hr
12,000 ppm (1.25)
1,200 ppm
MonkeyMacEwen & Vernot 1969
7,500
-----
1 hr
9,375 ppm (1.25)
938 ppm
RatVernot et al. 1973
6,700
-----
1 hr
8,375 ppm (1.25)
838 ppm
MouseVernot et al. 1973
7,500
-----
1 hr
9,375 ppm (1.25)
938 ppm

Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.

Revised IDLH: 1,000 ppm

Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for nitrogen trifluoride is 1,000 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in animals [MacEwen and Vernot 1969; Vernot et al. 1973].

REFERENCES:

1. Deichmann WB, Gerarde HW [1969]. Nitrogen trifluoride. In: Toxicology of drugs and chemicals. New York, NY: Academic Press, Inc., p. 427.

2. MacEwen JD, Vernot EH [1969]. Toxic Hazards Research Unit annual technical report: 1969. Wright­Patterson Air Force Base, OH: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, Report AMRL­TR­69­84, pp. 1­49.

3. Vernot EH, Haun CC, MacEwen JD, Egan GF [1973]. Acute inhalation toxicology and proposed emergency exposure limits of nitrogen trifluoride. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 26:1­13. Go back to the Documentation for Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentrations (IDLHs)