Boron Trifluoride

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

OSHA EMERGENCY OVERVIEW DANGER! Poisonous, corrosive high-pressure gas May be fatal if inhaled. Can cause eye, skin, and respiratory tract burns. May cause kidney damage. Self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing must be worn by rescue workers. Under ambient conditions, this is a colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. OSHA REGULATORY STATUS: This material is considered hazardous by the OSHA Hazard Communications Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).

Potential health effects

Effects of a Single (Acute) Overexposure Inhalation. May be fatal if inhaled at high concentrations. Extremely irritating to the mucous membranes and the upper respiratory tract. May cause coughing, a choking sensation, chills, chest pain, pulmonary edema, and death. Skin Contact. Severely irritates the skin, producing marked local redness and swelling. High concentrations may cause burns, which could result in absorption of potentially harmful amounts of material. Swallowing. An unlikely route of exposure. This product is a gas at normal temperature and pressure. Eye Contact. Severely irritating; causes mild excess redness and swelling of the conjunctiva. High concentrations may cause corneal burns. Copyright © 1979-1980, 1985, 1992, 1997, 2001, 2006-2007, 2009, Effects of Repeated (Chronic) Overexposure. Repeated overexposure may cause dryness of the nasal membranes, nosebleed, dental fluorosis (discoloration of the teeth), bronchiolitis (asthma), and pneumonitis (chemical pneumonia). Other Effects of Overexposure. May damage the respiratory system and kidneys.

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

Overexposure. Inhalation may aggravate asthma and inflammatory or fibrotic pulmonary disease. CARCINOGENICITY: Boron trifluoride is not listed by NTP, OSHA, and IARC.

Environmental effects

None known. For further information, see section 12, Ecological Information.