Nitrogen trifluoride

CAS number: 7783–54–2

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 4-hour 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
Mouse	Deichmann & Gerarde 1969	2,000	-----	4 hr	4,000 ppm (2.0)	400 ppm
Dog	MacEwen & Vernot 1969	9,600	-----	1 hr	12,000 ppm (1.25)	1,200 ppm
Monkey	MacEwen & Vernot 1969	7,500	-----	1 hr	9,375 ppm (1.25)	938 ppm
Rat	Vernot et al. 1973	6,700	-----	1 hr	8,375 ppm (1.25)	838 ppm
Mouse	Vernot 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. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, Report AMRL-TR-69-84, pp. 1-49.

3. Vernot EH, Haun CC, MacEwen JD, Egan GF [1973]. Acute inhalation toxicology and proposed emergency exposure limits of nitrogen trifluoride. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 26:1-13.