Adverse Effects (Part 2)
Sulfuryl fluoride
CAS No. 2699-79-8

 
 

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Activity: Fumigant, Insecticide (Fluorine Inorganic)
Structure:



Due to its length, we present this section in 2 Parts:

Adverse Effects Part 1
Amyloidosis
- Kidney
Blood
Body Weight Decrease
Bone
Brain
CNS
Deaths from Vikane fumigation
Endocrine: Adrenal
Endocrine: Hypothalmus
Endocrine: Thyroid

Adverse Effects Part 2
Eye
Heart
Kidney
Liver
Lung
Tremors/Convulsions

Eye (click on for all fluorinated pesticides)

- (870.4100) Chronic toxicity--rodents. NOAEL = 3.5 for M and 16 for F mg/kg/ day
LOAEL = 20 ppm or 14 for M and 80 ppm or 62 for F mg/kg/day based on dental fluorosis* in males and for females greatly increased mortality (due mostly to severe kidney toxicity which led to kidney failure); and histopathology in brain (vacuolation in cerebrum and thalmus/hypothalmus), adrenal cortex, eyes, liver, nasal tissue and respiratory tract; and, dental fluorosis*.
- (870.4300) 2-Year combined chronic/carcinogenicity--rat. NOAEL = 3.5 for M and 16 for F mg/kg/day. LOAEL = 20 ppm or 14 for M and 80 ppm or 62 for F mg/kg/day based on dental fluorosis* in males and for females greatly increased mortality (due mostly to severe kidney toxicity which led to kidney failure); and histopathology in brain (vacuolation in cerebrum and thalmus/hypothalmus), adrenal cortex, eyes, liver, nasal tissue and respiratory tract; and, dental fluorosis*.
Ref: January 23, 2004. Sulfuryl Fluoride; Pesticide Tolerance.
40 CFR Part 180 [OPP-2003-0373; FRL-7342-1]. Final Rule. Federal Register

Heart (click on for all fluorinated pesticides)

18-Month carcinogenicity NOAEL = 25/25 (M/F) mg/kg/day inhalation study--mouse LOAEL = 101/101 (M/F) mg/kg/day based (870.4200) on for both M/F cerebral vacuolation in brain, decreased body weight gain, follicular hypertrophy in thyroid (M only), increased mortality (F only), heart thrombus (F only), and lung congestion (F only). No evidence of carcinogenicity in M or F.
Ref: January 23, 2004. Sulfuryl Fluoride; Pesticide Tolerance.
40 CFR Part 180 [OPP-2003-0373; FRL-7342-1]. Final Rule. Federal Register

Poisonings and fatalities have been reported in humans following inhalation exposure to sulfuryl fluoride... A second person died of cardiac arrest after sleeping in the house overnight following fumigation. A plasma fluoride level of 0.5 mg/L (10 times normal) was found in this person following exposure. Prolonged chronic inhalation exposure to concentrations of sulfuryl fluoride gas significantly above the TLV of 5 ppm have caused fluorosis in humans because sulfuryl fluoride is converted to fluoride anion in the body. Fluorosis is characterized by binding of fluoride anion to teeth (causing mottling of the teeth) and to bone.
Ref: Federal Register: September 5, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 172). Sulfuryl Fluoride; Proposed Pesticide Temporary Tolerances.
http://www.fluorideaction.org/pesticides/sulfuryl.flu.fr.sept.5.2001.htm

-- Two fatalities occurred when the owners of a home re-entered after the dwelling had been fumigated with 250 pounds of sulfuryl fluoride. The concentration to which the occupants were exposed was not determined. The man died within 24 hr, and the woman expired 6 days after exposure. Signs of intoxication included severe dyspnea [abnormal breathing], cough, generalized seizure, cardiopulmonary arrest (in the male), and weakness, anorexia, nausea, repeated vomiting, and hypoxemia [subnormal oxygenation of arterial blood, short of anoxia]; ventricular fibrillation and diffuse pulmonary infiltration were also reported in the female. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Inc. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 6th ed. Volumes I, II, III. Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1991.1471]
Ref: Hazardous Substances Data Bank for SULFURYL FLUORIDE CASRN: 2699-79-8.
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?HSDB

Note: Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a severely abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that, unless treated immediately, causes death. VF is responsible for 75% to 85% of sudden deaths in persons with heart problems.
http://www.1uphealth.com/health/ventricular_fibrillation_info.html

Kidney (click on for all fluorinated pesticides)

-- In 2-week inhalation studies in rats, dogs and rabbits, different target organs were affected. In rats, the primary target organ was the kidneys, in which severe histopathological lesions were observed. These lesions included papillary necrosis, hyperplasia of the epithelial cells of the papillae, and degeneration/regeneration of collecting tubules and proximal tubules...
-- In subchronic (90-day) inhalation studies in rats, dogs, rabbits and mice, the brain was the major target organ. Malacia and/or vacuolation were observed in the white matter of the brain in all four species. The portions of the brain most often affected were the caudate-putamen nucleus in the basal ganglia, the white fiber tracts in the internal and external capsules, and the globus pallidus of the cerebrum. In dogs and rabbits, clinical signs of neurotoxicity (including tremors, tetany, incoordination, convulsions and/or hind limb paralysis) were also observed. Inflammation of the nasal passages and histiocytosis of the lungs were observed in rats and rabbits; but not in dogs, in which species inflammation of the upper respiratory tract was more prominent in the 2-week study. In rats, kidney damage was also observed...
-- In chronic (1-2 year) inhalation studies in rats, dogs and mice, target organs were the same as in the 90-day studies. In rats, severe kidney damage caused renal failure and mortalities in many animals. Additional gross and histopathological lesions in numerous organs and tissues were considered to be secondary to the primary effect on the kidneys...
-- In a developmental toxicity inhalation study in rats, no developmental toxicity was observed in the pups. Although no maternal toxicity was observed in this study at the highest dose tested (225 ppm), significant maternal toxicity (decreased body weight, body weight gain and food consumption; increased water consumption and kidney weights; and gross pathological changes in the kidneys and liver) was observed in a previously conducted range-finding study at a slightly higher dose level (300 ppm)...

Ref: Federal Register: September 5, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 172). Sulfuryl Fluoride; Proposed Pesticide Temporary Tolerances.
http://www.fluorideaction.org/pesticides/sulfuryl.flu.fr.sept.5.2001.htm

The primary effects of sulfuryl fluoride in humans are respiratory irritation and central nervous system depression, followed by excitation and possibly convulsions. Rabbits exposed via inhalation (6 hours/day, 5 days/week, for 2 weeks) to sulfuryl fluoride showed hyperactivity, convulsions and vacuolation of the cerebrum at 600 ppm (2.5 mg/L). Renal lesions were present in all rats exposed by inhalation (6 hours/day, 5 days/week, for 2 weeks) to 600 ppm (2.5 mg/ L) sulfuryl fluoride. Minimal renal changes were noted in rats exposed to 300 ppm (1252 mg/L), whereas no effects occurred at 100 ppm (4.2 mg/ L). Convulsions at near lethal concentrations were reported in rabbits, mice, and rats. In a 30-day inhalation study, loss of control, tremors of the hind quarters, and histopathological changes in the lung, liver, and kidney were reported in rabbits exposed to 400 ppm (1.6 mg/L) for 7 hours/day, 5 days/week for 5 weeks. The NOEL was 200 ppm (0.83 mg/L). Cerebral vacuolation and/or malacia and inflammation of nasal tissues were observed in rabbits exposed by inhalation to 100 or 300 ppm (0.4 or 1.25 mg/L) for 13 weeks. The NOEL was 30 ppm (0.125 mg/L). Rats exposed by inhalation to 100 to 600 ppm (0.4 to 0.25 mg/L) sulfuryl fluoride for 13 weeks developed mottled teeth (indicative of fluoride toxicity), renal and respiratory effects, and cerebral vacuolation. EPA believes that there is sufficient evidence for listing sulfuryl fluoride on EPCRA section 313 pursuant to EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(B) based on the available neurological, renal, and respiratory toxicity data for this chemical.
Ref: USEPA/OPP. Support Document for the Addition of Chemicals from Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Active Ingredients to EPCRA Section 313. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (1993). As cited by US EPA in: Federal Register: January 12, 1994. Part IV. 40 CFR Part 372. Addition of Certain Chemicals; Toxic Chemical Release Reporting; Community Right-to-Know; Proposed Rule.

http://www.epa.gov/tri/frnotices/59fr1788.htm

ONCOGENICITY, MOUSE **50223-028 125636 "Sulfuryl Fluoride: 18-Month Inhalation Oncogenicity Study in CD-1 Mice", (J. F. Quast, G. J. Bradley and K. D. Nitschke, Dow Chemical Co., Toxicology Research Laboratory, Lab Project Study ID K-016399-039, 8/19/93). Sulfuryl fluoride, 99.8% purity, was administered via inhalation at concentrations of 0, 5, 20, or 80 ppm to 50 CD-1 mice/sex/group for 6 hours/day, 5 days/week for 18 months. Ten additional mice/sex per dose level were included for sacrifice at 12 months. NOEL = 20 ppm. Primary concern was increased mortality in females (mainly due to increased incidence of severe degree of bilateral amyloidosis in glomeruli). Possibly treatment-related findings in males were food impaction in esophagus and inflammation and/or abscesses in the head and/or oral cavity at 80 ppm. Lesser changes at 80 ppm included very slight vacuolation of brain, particularly of cerebral external capsule (M and F), and very slight hypertrophy of thyroid epithelial cells (especially in males). This study is considered to indicate a "possible adverse effect", based on the exacerbation of geriatric renal disease in high dose females. Considering how high the NOEL and LEL of this study are to levels which cannot be tolerated in acute and subacute toxicity exposure, this flagging of a "possible adverse effect" should not be taken to indicate unusual concern. No oncogenicity effects. Acceptable. Kishiyama and Aldous, Sept. 14, 1994.
[Definition of Glomeruli - Network of microscopic blood vessel structures in the kidney, responsible for filtering waste from the blood.]
Ref: SUMMARY OF TOXICOLOGY DATA SULFURYL FLUORIDE. Revised 11/17/98. California EPA, Department of Pesticide Regulation, Medical Toxicology Branch.

http://www.fluorideaction.org/pesticides/sulfuryl.fluoride.tox.data.pdf

Liver (click on for all fluorinated pesticides)

-- In a developmental toxicity inhalation study in rats, no developmental toxicity was observed in the pups. Although no maternal toxicity was observed in this study at the highest dose tested (225 ppm), significant maternal toxicity (decreased body weight, body weight gain and food consumption; increased water consumption and kidney weights; and gross pathological changes in the kidneys and liver) was observed in a previously conducted range-finding study at a slightly higher dose level (300 ppm)...
Ref: Federal Register: September 5, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 172). Sulfuryl Fluoride; Proposed Pesticide Temporary Tolerances.

http://www.fluorideaction.org/pesticides/sulfuryl.flu.fr.sept.5.2001.htm

The primary effects of sulfuryl fluoride in humans are respiratory irritation and central nervous system depression, followed by excitation and possibly convulsions. Rabbits exposed via inhalation (6 hours/day, 5 days/week, for 2 weeks) to sulfuryl fluoride showed hyperactivity, convulsions and vacuolation of the cerebrum at 600 ppm (2.5 mg/L). Renal lesions were present in all rats exposed by inhalation (6 hours/day, 5 days/week, for 2 weeks) to 600 ppm (2.5 mg/ L) sulfuryl fluoride. Minimal renal changes were noted in rats exposed to 300 ppm (1252 mg/L), whereas no effects occurred at 100 ppm (4.2 mg/ L). Convulsions at near lethal concentrations were reported in rabbits, mice, and rats. In a 30-day inhalation study, loss of control, tremors of the hind quarters, and histopathological changes in the lung, liver, and kidney were reported in rabbits exposed to 400 ppm (1.6 mg/L) for 7 hours/day, 5 days/week for 5 weeks. The NOEL was 200 ppm (0.83 mg/L). Cerebral vacuolation and/or malacia and inflammation of nasal tissues were observed in rabbits exposed by inhalation to 100 or 300 ppm (0.4 or 1.25 mg/L) for 13 weeks. The NOEL was 30 ppm (0.125 mg/L). Rats exposed by inhalation to 100 to 600 ppm (0.4 to 0.25 mg/L) sulfuryl fluoride for 13 weeks developed mottled teeth (indicative of fluoride toxicity), renal and respiratory effects, and cerebral vacuolation. EPA believes that there is sufficient evidence for listing sulfuryl fluoride on EPCRA section 313 pursuant to EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(B) based on the available neurological, renal, and respiratory toxicity data for this chemical.
Ref: USEPA/OPP. Support Document for the Addition of Chemicals from Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Active Ingredients to EPCRA Section 313. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (1993). As cited by US EPA in: Federal Register: January 12, 1994. Part IV. 40 CFR Part 372. Addition of Certain Chemicals; Toxic Chemical Release Reporting; Community Right-to-Know; Proposed Rule.

http://www.epa.gov/tri/frnotices/59fr1788.htm

Lung (click on for all fluorinated pesticides)

Ref: January 23, 2004. Sulfuryl Fluoride; Pesticide Tolerance.
40 CFR Part 180 [OPP-2003-0373; FRL-7342-1]. Final Rule. Federal Register
Excerpts from: Table 1.--Subchronic, Chronic, and Other Toxicity
Study Guideline Type of Study NOAEL
mg/kg/day
LOAEL
mg/kg/day
Based on:
None cited
2-Week inhalation study--rat

83/89
(M/F)

495/534
(M/F)
high mortality, decreased body weights, severe histopathology in the kidney, gross and histopathology in many tissues/ organs (secondary to kidney effects); severe inflammation of respiratory tissues in one survivor...
None cited
2-Week inhalation study--dog
26/27
(M/F)
79/80
(M/F)
intermittant tremors and
tetany during exposure, minimal inflammatory changes in upper
respiratory tract,
decreased body weight (F only).
Note: Increased serum fluoride at >= 26/27 mg/kg/day
None cited
2-Week inhalation study--rabbit
30/30
(M/F)
180/180 (M/F) convulsions, hyperactivity, malacia (necrosis) in cerebrum, vacuolation of cerebrum, moderate inflammation of respiratory tissues

(870.3100)

90-Day inhalation toxicity--rat
24/25
(M/F)
240/250
(M/F)
vacuolation of
caudate-putamen nucleus and white fiber tracts of the internal capsule of the brain, decreased body weight, inflammation of nasal passages, alveolar histiocytosis; slight
hyperplasia of renal collecting ducts (F only)
(870.3800) Reproduction and fertility
effects
3.6/3.6
(M/F)
4/14
(M/F)
Parental/Systemic:
pale foci in lungs,
increased alveolar macrophages in lungs
(870.4100) Chronic toxicity--rodents 3.5 for M

16 for F
4 for M

62 for F
increased mortality
(due mostly to severe kidney toxicity which led to kidney failure); and histopathology in
brain (vacuolation in cerebrum and thalmus/ hypothalmus), adrenal
cortex, eyes, liver, nasal tissue and respiratory tract; and, dental fluorosis*.
(870.4100) 1-Year chronic inhalation toxicity--dog 5.0/5.1
(M/F)
20/20
(M/F)
decreased body weight gain, increased alveolar macrophages in lungs, dental fluorosis*
(870.4100) 1-Year chronic inhalation toxicity--dog 5.0/5.1
(M/F)
50/51
(M/F)
increased mortality,
malacia (necrosis) in caudate nucleus of brain, follicular cell
hypertrophy in thyroid,
histopathology in lung
(870.4200) 18-Month carcinogenicity inhalation study--mouse 25/25
(M/F)
101/101
(M/F)
cerebral vacuolation
in brain, decreased body weight gain, follicular hypertrophy in thyroid (M only), increased mortality (F only), heart thrombus (F only), and lung congestion (F only)
(870.4300) 2-Year combined chronic/ carcinogenicity--rat 3.5 for M

16 for F
14 for M

62 for F
dental fluorosis* in males and for females greatly increased mortality (due mostly to severe kidney toxicity which led to kidney failure); and histopathology in brain (vacuolation in cerebrum and thalmus/ hypothalmus), adrenal
cortex, eyes, liver, nasal tissue and respiratory tract; and, dental fluorosis*.
(870.6200) 90-Day inhalation neurotoxicity study-rat (special design) 24/25
(M/F)
80/83
(M/F)
Systemic:
pale foci in pleura and macrophages in lungs,
dental fluorosis*
(870.6200) 1-Year inhalation neurotoxicity study-rat (special design) 3.5/3.9
(M/F)
52/62
(M/F)
increased kidney and liver weights, progressive kidney disease and histopathology in lung.

The primary effects of sulfuryl fluoride in humans are respiratory irritation and central nervous system depression, followed by excitation and possibly convulsions... In a 30-day inhalation study, loss of control, tremors of the hind quarters, and histopathological changes in the lung, liver, and kidney were reported in rabbits exposed to 400 ppm (1.6 mg/L) for 7 hours/day, 5 days/week for 5 weeks. The NOEL was 200 ppm (0.83 mg/L)... Rats exposed by inhalation to 100 to 600 ppm (0.4 to 0.25 mg/L) sulfuryl fluoride for 13 weeks developed mottled teeth (indicative of fluoride toxicity), renal and respiratory effects, and cerebral vacuolation. EPA believes that there is sufficient evidence for listing sulfuryl fluoride on EPCRA section 313 pursuant to EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(B) based on the available neurological, renal, and respiratory toxicity data for this chemical.
Ref: USEPA/OPP. Support Document for the Addition of Chemicals from Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Active Ingredients to EPCRA Section 313. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (1993). As cited by US EPA in: Federal Register: January 12, 1994. Part IV. 40 CFR Part 372. Addition of Certain Chemicals; Toxic Chemical Release Reporting; Community Right-to-Know; Proposed Rule.

http://www.epa.gov/tri/frnotices/59fr1788.htm

-- In 2-week inhalation studies in rats, dogs and rabbits, different target organs were affected... In dogs, the primary target organ was the upper respiratory tract, in which minimal inflammation was observed. Intermittant tremors and tetany were also noted in dogs. In rabbits, the primary target organ was the brain, in which malacia (necrosis) and vacuolation were observed in the cerebrum. Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract was also noted in rabbits.
--
In subchronic (90-day) inhalation studies .. Inflammation of the nasal passages and histiocytosis of the lungs were observed in rats and rabbits; but not in dogs, in which species inflammation of the upper respiratory tract was more prominent in the 2-week study...
-- In chronic (1-2 year) inhalation studies in rats, dogs and mice, target organs were the same as in the 90-day studies. In rats, severe kidney damage caused renal failure and mortalities in many animals. Additional gross and histopathological lesions in numerous organs and tissues were considered to be secondary to the primary effect on the kidneys. Other treatment-related effects in rats included effects in the brain (vacuolation of the cerebrum and thalamus/hypothalamus) and respiratory tract (reactive hyperplasia and inflammation of the respiratory epithelium of the nasal turbinates, lung congestion, aggregates of alveolar macrophages). In dogs and mice, increased mortalities, malacia and/or vacuolation in the white matter in the brain, histopathology in the lungs, and follicular cell hypertrophy in the thyroid gland were observed. Decreased body weights and body weight gains were also noted in all three species. No evidence of carcinogenicity was observed in either the combined chronic toxicity/ carcinogenicity study in rats or in the 18-month carcinogenicity study in mice.
-- In a 2-generation reproduction inhalation study in rats, vacuolation of the white matter in the brain, pathology in the lungs (pale, gray foci; increased alveolar macrophages) and decreased body weights were observed in the parental animals...
-- Poisonings and fatalities have been reported in humans following inhalation exposure to sulfuryl fluoride. The severity of these effects has depended on the concentration of sulfuryl fluoride and the duration of exposure. Short-term inhalation exposure to high concentrations has caused respiratory irritation, pulmonary edema, nausea, abdominal pain, central nervous system depression, and numbness in the extremities. In addition, there have been two reports of deaths of persons entering houses treated with sulfuryl fluoride. One person entered the house illegally and was found dead the next morning...
Ref: Federal Register: September 5, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 172). Sulfuryl Fluoride; Proposed Pesticide Temporary Tolerances.

http://www.fluorideaction.org/pesticides/sulfuryl.flu.fr.sept.5.2001.htm

-- HIGHLY IRRITATING TO RESPIRATORY TRACT. [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989. 1419]
-- Two fatalities occurred when the owners of a home re-entered after the dwelling had been fumigated with 250 pounds of sulfuryl fluoride. The concentration to which the occupants were exposed was not determined. The man died within 24 hr, and the woman expired 6 days after exposure. Signs of intoxication included severe dyspnea [abnormal breathing], cough, generalized seizure, cardiopulmonary arrest (in the male), and weakness, anorexia, nausea, repeated vomiting, and hypoxemia [subnormal oxygenation of arterial blood, short of anoxia]; ventricular fibrillation and diffuse pulmonary infiltration were also reported in the female. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Inc. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 6th ed. Volumes I, II, III. Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1991.1471]
Ref: Hazardous Substances Data Bank for SULFURYL FLUORIDE CASRN: 2699-79-8.
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?HSDB

Note: Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a severely abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that, unless treated immediately, causes death. VF is responsible for 75% to 85% of sudden deaths in persons with heart problems.
Source: http://www.1uphealth.com/health/ventricular_fibrillation_info.html

Tremors/Convulsions (click on for all fluorinated pesticides)

-- In 2-week inhalation studies in rats, dogs and rabbits, different target organs were affected. In rats, the primary target organ was the kidneys, in which severe histopathological lesions were observed. These lesions included papillary necrosis, hyperplasia of the epithelial cells of the papillae, and degeneration/regeneration of collecting tubules and proximal tubules. In dogs, the primary target organ was the upper respiratory tract, in which minimal inflammation was observed. Intermittant tremors and tetany were also noted in dogs. In rabbits, the primary target organ was the brain, in which malacia (necrosis) and vacuolation were observed in the cerebrum. Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract was also noted in rabbits.
-- In subchronic (90-day) inhalation studies in rats, dogs, rabbits and mice, the brain was the major target organ. Malacia and/or vacuolation were observed in the white matter of the brain in all four species. The portions of the brain most often affected were the caudate-putamen nucleus in the basal ganglia, the white fiber tracts in the internal and external capsules, and the globus pallidus of the cerebrum. In dogs and rabbits, clinical signs of neurotoxicity (including tremors, tetany, incoordination, convulsions and/or hind limb paralysis) were also observed.
Ref: Federal Register: September 5, 2001 [Page 46415-46425]. Sulfuryl Fluoride; Proposed Pesticide Temporary Tolerances.
http://www.fluoridealert.org/pesticides/sulfuryl.flu.fr.sept.5.2001.htm

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