Decaborane

CAS number: 17702–41–9

NIOSH REL: 0.3 mg/m³ (0.05 ppm) TWA, 0.9 mg/m³ (0.15 ppm) STEL [skin]

Current OSHA PEL: 0.3 mg/m³ (0.05 ppm) TWA [skin]

1989 OSHA PEL: 0.3 mg/m³ (0.05 ppm) TWA, 0.9 mg/m³ (0.15 ppm) STEL [skin]

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 0.25 mg/m³ (0.05 ppm) TWA,

0.75 mg/m³ (0.15 ppm) STEL [skin]

Description of Substance: Colorless to white crystalline solid with an intense, bitter, chocolate­like odor.

LEL:. . Unknown

Original (SCP) IDLH: 100 mg/m³

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by ILO [1971] that the 4­hour LC₅₀ was 122 to 230 mg/m³ for small animals.

Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA

Lethal concentration data:

Species	Reference	LC50	LCLo	Time	Adjusted 0.5-hr LC (CF)	Derived value
Rat Mouse Mouse	Schechter 1958 Schechter 1958 Svirbely 1954	276 mg/m3 72 mg/m3 144 mg/m3	----- ----- -----	4 hr 4 hr 4 hr	552 mg/m3 (2.0) 144 mg/m3 (2.0) 288 mg/m3 (2.0)	55 mg/m3 14 mg/m3 29 mg/m3

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

Revised IDLH: 15 mg/m3 Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for decaborane is 15 mg/m3 based on acute inhalation toxicity data in animals [Schechter 1958].

REFERENCES:

1. ILO [1971]. Boron hydrides. In: Encyclopaedia of occupational health and safety. 2nd ed. Vol. I (A­K). Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, p. 206.

2. Schechter WH [1958]. Toxicity of high energy fuels. AMA Arch Ind Health 17:362­366.

3. Svirbely JL [1954]. Acute toxicity studies of decaborane and pentaborane by inhalation. AMA Arch Ind Hyg Occup Med 10:298­304.

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