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Boron trifluoride. TOXNET profile from Hazardous Substances Data Bank.


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BORON TRIFLUORIDE
CASRN: 7637-07-2
For other data, click on the Table of Contents

Human Health Effects:

Human Toxicity Excerpts:

At high concn, boron trifluoride causes burns to skin similar to those caused by hydrogen fluoride, although boron trifluoride burns do not penetrate as deeply as do hydrogen fluoride burns.
[National Research Council. Prudent Practices for Handling Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1981. 92]**PEER REVIEWED**

A description of effects on 78 workers exposed from 10 to 15 yr to boron trifluoride, as reported in a USSR abstract, consisted of complaints of dryness & bleeding of nasal mucosa, bleeding gums, dry & scaly skin, & pain in joints. ... No specific ... concn were reported ... & ... there was /also/ concurrent exposure to ethylene & isobutylene with no reported concn ... .
[Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982. 2999]**PEER REVIEWED**

In ... manufacturing plant in USA, physical exams initiated in 1974 for small group of workers incl 7 with present & 6 with past exposures to boron trifluoride or other fluorides, ranging from 1 to 27 yr. Five of the 7 currently exposed, & 3 of 6 with previous exposures showed lower pulmonary function (forced VC & FEV) than predicted for normal population. Lowered pulmonary function was severe in 1, moderate in 3, & minimal in 1 of 7 currently exposed who had avg exposure of 13 yr. X-rays were negative, & no urinary fluorine concn were above acceptable preshift concn of 4 mg/l.
[Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982. 2999]**PEER REVIEWED**

Workers exposed to up to 90 mg/cu m (approx 32 ppm) for 10-15 yr developed dryness of nasal mucuous membranes and epistaxis (nosebleed).
[Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) PublicationNo. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. 2]**PEER REVIEWED**

Severe exposures can lead to severe irritation of the eyes and eyelids and to inflamation and congestion of the lung and circulatory (cardiovascular) collapse. Skin contact with the liquid or vapor can cause severe burns.
[Braker W, Mossman A; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.51 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

SYMPTOMATOLOGY: 1. Severe gastritis or gastroenteritis with abdominal pain, retching, and prolonged vomiting, beginning 10-60 min after ingestion. Vomitus may become bloody. Diarrhea is sometimes violent; the feces are watery and later tarry. Dehydration becomes intense. 2. Shock, pallor, cyanosis and coldness. Rapid, weak or imperceptible pulse, low blood pressure, rapid and shallow respirations. 3. Sometimes breathing is deep and rapid, reflecting an accompanying metabolic acidosis. 4. Drowsiness, hyporeflexia, dilated pupils, coma. Vasomotor instability, shock or coma and a serum iron level in great excess of the total iron-binding capacity are poor prognostic signs. /Fluoride/
[Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984.,p. III-190]**PEER REVIEWED**

SYMPTOMATOLOGY: 5. Liver injury, consisting of hemorrhagic necrosis which is usually reversible. 6. Death from shock, usually in 4-5 hr. Sometimes following apparent recovery, pneumonia with fever or secondary shock may cause death 1-3 days later. 7. Among survivors pyloric stenosis and mild hepatic cirrhosis may be encountered as persistent sequelae, but recovery is usually complete. /Fluoride/
[Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984.,p. III-190]**PEER REVIEWED**

Initial symptoms from ingestion /include/ ... salivation, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. ... The patient shows signs of increased irritability of the nervous system, including paresthesias, a positive Chvostek sign, hyperactive reflexes, and tonic and clonic convulsions. ... Hypocalcemia and hypoglycemia are frequent lab findings. ... Pain in various muscle groups ... blood pressure falls ... due to central vasomotor depression as well as direct toxic action on cardiac muscle. The respiratory center is first stimulated and later depressed. Death ... from either respiratory paralysis or cardiac failure. /Fluoride salts/
[Gilman, A.G., L.S.Goodman, and A. Gilman. (eds.). Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 7th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1985. 1539]**PEER REVIEWED**

... THE MAJOR MANIFESTATIONS OF CHRONIC INGESTION OF EXCESSIVE AMT OF FLUORIDE ARE OSTEOSCLEROSIS & MOTTLED ENAMEL. CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO EXCESS FLUORIDE CAUSES INCR OSTEOBLASTIC ACTIVITY. ... DENSITY AND CALCIFICATION OF BONE ARE INCR ... THOUGHT TO REPRESENT THE REPLACEMENT OF HYDROXYAPATITE BY THE DENSER FLUOROAPATITE. /FLUORIDE SALTS/
[Gilman, A.G., L.S.Goodman, and A. Gilman. (eds.). Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 7th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1985. 1539]**PEER REVIEWED**

Chronic poisoning: Intake of more than 6 mg of fluoride per day results in fluorosis. Symptoms are weight loss, brittleness of bones, anemia, weakness, general ill health, stiffness of joints. ... /Fluoride/
[Dreisbach, R. H. Handbook of Poisoning. 9th ed. Los Altos, California: Lange Medical Publications, 1977. 207]**PEER REVIEWED**

BORON ... AFFECTS CNS ... /CAUSING/ DEPRESSION OF CIRCULATION, PERSISTENT VOMITING & DIARRHEA, FOLLOWED BY PROFOUND SHOCK & COMA. TEMP BECOMES SUB-NORMAL & SCARLETINA-FORM RASH MAY COVER ENTIRE BODY. /BORON CMPD/
[Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 6th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984. 513]**PEER REVIEWED**

Chronic poisoning: (From ingestion, skin absorption, or absorption from body cavities or mucous membranes) prolonged absorption causes anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, mild diarrhea, skin rash, alopecia, convulsions and anemia. /Boric acid & boron derivatives/
[Dreisbach, R.H. Handbook of Poisoning. 12th ed. Norwalk, CT: Appleton and Lange, 1987. 361]**PEER REVIEWED**

BECAUSE HIGHEST CONCN ARE REACHED DURING EXCRETION, THE KIDNEYS ARE MORE SERIOUSLY DAMAGED THAN OTHER ORGANS. /BORIC ACID & BORON DERIVATIVES/
[Dreisbach, R.H. Handbook of Poisoning. 12th ed. Norwalk, CT: Appleton and Lange, 1987. 360]**PEER REVIEWED**


Skin, Eye and Respiratory Irritations:

Extremely irritating to eyes & respiratory tract.
[National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1986.,p. 49-21]**PEER REVIEWED**

The gas is very irritating to the skin.
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Boron trifluoride p.12 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-122]**PEER REVIEWED**


Drug Warnings:

Food and Environmental Agents: Effect on Breast-Feeding: Reported Sign or Symptom in Infant or Effect on Lactation: Fluorides: None. /from Table 7/
[Report of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs in Pediatrics 93 (1): 142 (1994)]**QC REVIEWED**


Medical Surveillance:

In the absence of a suitable monitoring method ... medical surveillance, including comprehensive placement and annual periodic exam /should/ be made available to all workers ... in areas where boron trifluoride is manufactured, used, handled, or is evolved as a result of chemical processes.
[Sittig, M. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985. 142]**PEER REVIEWED**

Initial Medical Examination: ... Resp system and kidneys should be stressed. The skin and eyes should be examined for evidence of chronic disorders. Surveillance of the lung is indicated. ... Examinations should be repeated on an annual basis.
[Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) PublicationNo. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. 1]**PEER REVIEWED**

Preplacement examinations should include a physical examination giving particular attention to the respiratory system and using appropriate pulmonary function tests such as FEV, and FVC.
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Boron trifluoride p.2 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-122]**PEER REVIEWED**

Fluoride levels in urine should be checked periodically. /Fluoride and cmpd/
[International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983. 894]**PEER REVIEWED**


Populations at Special Risk:

Persons with impaired pulmonary function may be at increased risk from exposure /to boron trifluoride/.
[Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) PublicationNo. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. 1]**PEER REVIEWED**

Populations that appear to be at increased risk from the effects of fluoride are individuals that suffer from diabetes insipidus or some forms of renal impairment. These high risk populations represent a relatively small segment of the general populations. /Fluoride/
[USEPA, Office of Drinking Water; Criteria Document (Draft): Fluoride p.I-5 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**


Probable Routes of Human Exposure:

Inhalation of vapors or skin and eye contact.
[Sittig, M. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985. 141]**PEER REVIEWED**

NIOSH estimates 50,000 employees are potentially exposed ... in the United States.
[Sittig, M. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985. 141]**PEER REVIEWED**

The following list includes some common operation in which exposure to boron trifluoride may occur ... Use as a Lewis acid catalyst for alkylation of aromatic compounds; use in polymer technology in manufacture of phenolic and epoxy resins; Use in synthesis of other boron-containing organic and inorganic compounds; use in purification of hydrocarbons to remove unsaturates and sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen containing compounds; Use in nuclear technology for seperation of boron isotopes; as a filling gas for neutron counters; Use in metallurgy as flux and antioxidant; use as flame coloring agent for liquefied petroleum gas.
[Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) PublicationNo. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. 3]**PEER REVIEWED**

Employees with potential exposure to boron trifluoride include the initial manufactures, magnesium founders, organic synthesizers, neutron detector instrument manufactures and fumigant producers.
[Milby TH et al; Occupaional Diseases-A Guide to Their Recognition, Publication No. 1097 (1964) as cited in NIOSH; Criteria Document: Boron trifluoride p.16 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-122]**PEER REVIEWED**

Industrial exposures ... occur from release ... into the worker atmosphere as well as from production & handling ... /Boron halides/
[Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982. 2996]**PEER REVIEWED**


Average Daily Intake:

Total daily boron intake in normal human diets ranges from 2.1-4.3 mg boron/kg body weight (bw)/day. /Total boron/
[Zook Eg, Lehman J; J Assoc Off Agric Chem 48: 850-5 (1965)]**PEER REVIEWED**


Emergency Medical Treatment:

Emergency Medical Treatment:

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The following Overview, *** BORON TRIFLUORIDE ***, is relevant for this HSDB record chemical.

Life Support:
  o   This overview assumes that basic life support measures
      have been instituted.                           
Clinical Effects:
  SUMMARY OF EXPOSURE
   0.2.1.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
     o   Boron trifluoride is a severe irritant to the lungs and
         eyes and corrosive on skin contact.  Effects are
         similar to that of hydrogen fluoride but less severe.
     o   It reacts in moist air to form boric acid, hydrogen
         fluoride, fluoroboric acid, and other products.  Thus
         the respiratory passage (which contains moist air) may
         produce these products which would be free to react
         with tissue.
     o   SYSTEMIC EFFECTS - BORON affects the central nervous
         system, leading to depressed blood pressure, persistent
         vomiting, and diarrhea.
     o   INHALATION EXPOSURE - Acute exposure to boron
         trifluoride gas has resulted in loss of consciousness
         and hypoxemia.
     o   DERMAL EXPOSURE - Boron trifluoride can burn the skin,
         and contact with the liquid may cause frostbite.  It is
         absorbed through the skin.
     o   ORAL EXPOSURE - In acute ingestions, severe gastritis
         or gastroenteritis with abdominal pain may be seen.
         Vomiting begins within an hour.  Diarrhea with watery,
         tarry feces may follow with dehydration.  Liver injury
         will occur.
   0.2.1.2 CHRONIC EXPOSURE
     o   Lowered pulmonary function, dried mucous membranes and
         nosebleeds, severe irritation of the eyes and eyelids,
         as well as inflammation and congestion of the lungs may
         occur with chronic exposure to this compound (HSDB,
         1992).
  HEENT
   0.2.4.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
     o   Teeth:  Rats exposed to 15 to 100 ppm developed
         hypoplasia of the teeth and excessive fluoride
         deposition.
     o   Eye irritation has not been reported in humans but has
         been seen in animals exposed to this gas.
     o   Nose bleed and nasal dryness has been reported in
         humans.
  RESPIRATORY
   0.2.6.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
     o   Acute inhalations have resulted in hypoxemia.
     o   Pulmonary irritation is expected with inhalation.
         Pneumonitis has been reported in animals.  Long term
         effects in humans are unclear.  Physical examination of
         exposed workers appear to show some decrease in
         pulmonary function without positive x-ray findings.
   0.2.6.2 CHRONIC EXPOSURE
     o   Physical examination of exposed workers appear to show
         some decrease in pulmonary function without positive
         x-ray findings.
  NEUROLOGIC
   0.2.7.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
     o   Acute exposure to boron trifluoride gas has resulted in
         rapid loss of consciousness.
  GENITOURINARY
   0.2.10.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
     o   Renal tubular degeneration has been reported in fatally
         poisoned animals.
  FLUID-ELECTROLYTE
   0.2.12.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
     o   Hypophosphatemia, hypocalcemic and elevated fluoride
         levels have developed in animal studies.
   0.2.12.2 CHRONIC EXPOSURE
     o   Phosphorous:  Dogs exposed to 100 ppm for 30 days
         developed decreased blood phosphorous levels.
  DERMATOLOGIC
   0.2.14.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
     o   Skin irritation is expected on contact.  When soaked
         into a cotton ball and placed on the skin for 1 to 2
         days, boron fluoride left a HF type burn.
Laboratory:
  o   No methods for determining boron trifluoride in biological
      specimens is available in normal hospital laboratories.
  o   No toxic serum levels have been developed, but patients
      chronically exposed may have elevated fluoride levels or
      diminished phosphorous or calcium levels.
  o   A chest x-ray may be indicated in exposed individuals.
Treatment Overview:
  SUMMARY EXPOSURE
    o   There is no specific antidote.  Treatment is directed at
        supporting respirations and limiting potential caustic
        damage.
  INHALATION EXPOSURE
    o   INHALATION:  Move patient to fresh air.  Monitor for
        respiratory distress.  If cough or difficulty breathing
        develops, evaluate for respiratory tract irritation,
        bronchitis, or pneumonitis.  Administer oxygen and
        assist ventilation as required.  Treat bronchospasm with
        beta2  agonist and corticosteroid aerosols.
    o   If inhaled, observe in a medical facility for 72 hours
        for delayed onset of severe pulmonary edema.
    o   Chest x-ray should be obtained.
    o   PULMONARY EDEMA (NONCARDIOGENIC):  Maintain ventilation
        and oxygenation and evaluate with frequent arterial
        blood gas or pulse oximetry monitoring.  Early use of
        PEEP and mechanical ventilation may be needed.
  EYE EXPOSURE
    o   DECONTAMINATION:  Irrigate exposed eyes with copious
        amounts of tepid water for at least 15 minutes.  If
        irritation, pain, swelling, lacrimation, or photophobia
        persist, the patient should be seen in a health care
        facility.
  DERMAL EXPOSURE
    o   DECONTAMINATION:  Remove contaminated clothing and wash
        exposed  area thoroughly with soap and water.  A
        physician may need to  examine the area if irritation or
        pain persists.          
Range of Toxicity:
  o   The minimum lethal exposure has not been established for
      humans.
  o   Levels of 12 ppm and below in a general work area have
      been reported without comment on adverse effects.
  o   Rats exposed to 17 mg/m(3) developed renal toxicity while
      those exposed to 6 mg/m(3) did not produce toxic symptoms.

[Rumack BH: POISINDEX(R) Information System. Micromedex, Inc., Englewood, CO, 2001; CCIS Volume 110, edition exp November, 2001. Hall AH & Rumack BH (Eds):TOMES(R) Information System. Micromedex, Inc., Englewood, CO, 2001; CCIS Volume 110, edition exp November, 2001.] **PEER REVIEWED**

Animal Toxicity Studies:

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts:

The principal feature in acute action ... is the irritation of mucous membranes of respiratory tract & eyes. In animal acute experiments, a concn of 42 mg/cu m proved fatal in some cases. Exam revealed a fall in inorg phosphorus level in blood & autopsy showed pneumonia & degenerative changes in renal tubules. Long-term (4 mo) exposure to 3 & 10 mg/cu m ... produced irritation of resp tract, dysproteinemia, reduction in cholinesterase activity & increased nervous system lability. Exposure to high concn results in reduction of acetyl carbonic acid & inorg phosphorus levels in blood, & dental fluorosis.
[International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983. 320]**PEER REVIEWED**

... /Inhalation studies with animals were done/ with exposure periods up to 6 mo & with analytic monitoring of chamber concn. ... /It was/ found that ... daily inhalation exposure of rats, rabbits & guinea pigs resulted in respiratory irritation to such a degree as to cause death of guinea pigs from resp failure, which occurred after 19th exposure day at nominal concn of 12.8 ppm as boron trifluoride (calculated concn about 6.5 ppm). Death still occurred in guinea pigs, but not in rats, exposed at analyzed concn of 3 to 4 ppm, but all 3 species exposed at analyzed concn of 1.5 ppm were ... minimally affected, with avg body wt of guinea pigs only 85% of that of controls, & showing ... occasional pneumonitis. Rabbits did not differ histologically from controls. Like previous findings, fluorosis of rat teeth was evident at highest concn, but ... doubtful ... at next lowest level.
[Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982. 2998]**PEER REVIEWED**

Exposure of 6 animal species to 100 ppm, 4-7 hr/day, 5 days/wk in a 30 day experiment killed all animals, most within the test period. Guinea pigs were most susceptible ... dogs least ... The primary site of damage was the lung ... Kidney damage ... also occurs.
[Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) PublicationNo. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. 1]**PEER REVIEWED**

An acute study of boron trifluoride (BF3) in rats indicated the 4 hr LC50 to be 1.21 mg/l. In a 2 week study, all animals exposed to 180 mg/cu m died prior to the sixth exposure, rats exposed at concn of 66 and 24 mg/cu m showed clinical signs of respiratory irritation, body weight gain depressions, increased lung weights, and depressed liver weights. Histopathology showed necrosis and pyknosis of the proximal tubular epithelium of the kidneys. This effect was limited to the high-concn exposure group. Based on the results of these studies, Fischer 344 rats were exposed 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 13 weeks to a respirable, liquid aerosol of BF3 at concn of 0, 2.0, 6.0, and 17 mg/cu m. One rat in the high exposure group died. The most significant finding in this group was necrosis of the proximal tubular epithelium of the kidneys. Other observations noted during the study included dried material around the nose and mouth, rales and excessive lacrimation, reversible depression of serum total protein and globulin concn, and increases in urinary, serum, and bone fluoride amounts. In the lower exposure groups, findings of respiratory irritation were minimal. All observations occurred in a dose-related pattern. Based on this study, exposure to BF3 at 17 mg/cu m resulted in renal toxicity, while exposure at 6 mg/cu m, although showing elevations of fluoride amounts, did not result in a toxic response.
[Rusch GM et al; Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 83 (1): 69-78 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Boron trifluoride is primarily a respiratory irritant which predisposed the exposed /guinea pigs/ to respiratory infection. Exposure at 100 ppm (277 mg/cu m) was fatal to all animals. Physiological responses prior to death included respiratory irritation and infection, kidney damage, retarded growth, and severe progressive fluorosis in rat teeth. Exposure at 15 ppm (41.5 mg/cu m) did not produce fluorosis, but did predispose guinea pigs to a rate of respiratory infection greater than that found in controls.
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Boron trifluoride p.27 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-122]**PEER REVIEWED**

Ten male guinea pigs and 14 female rats were exposed to boron trifluoride at a nominal concentration of 12.8 ppm (35 mg/cu m), 7 hours/day, 5 days/week, for up to 3 months. Examinations showed the guinea pigs had difficulty in breathing and appeared asthmatic. Exposed guinea pigs had increased lung weights averaging 0.80 g/100 g of body weight, compared to lung weights of 0.64 g/100 of body weight for the control animals. Gross examination revealed pneumonitis, suggesting chemical damage, in the hilar region of the lungs. Examined microscopically, the lung showed areas of collapse and emphysema adjacent to the areas of more severe pneumonitis. The exposed rats were considered to have normal appearance and organ weights, but gross and microscopic tissue examination showed pulmonary changes indicating chemical irritation. The hilar regions of the lung were the most affected and the injuries were manifested as pneumonitis.
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Boron trifluoride p.29-30 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-122]**PEER REVIEWED**

/Acute poisoning/ if sufficient fluoride is absorbed ... fluoride ion increases capillary permeability and also produces a coagulation defect. These actions lead to hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and hemorrhages, congestion, and edema in various organs including the brain. Clinical manifestations ... include excitability, muscle tremors, weakness, urination, defecation, salivation, emesis, sudden collapse, clonic convulsions, coma, and death due to respiratory and cardiac failure. Cyanosis and early rigor mortis. ... /Fluoride/
[Booth, N.H., L.E. McDonald (eds.). Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 5th ed. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press, 1982. 1014]**PEER REVIEWED**

IN LAMBS, GI & PULMONARY DISORDERS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO RESULT FROM GRAZING WHERE PASTURE SOILS ARE HIGH IN BORON CONTENT. /BORON AND ITS COMPOUNDS/
[Doull, J., C.D. Klaassen, and M. D. Amdur (eds.). Casarett and Doull's Toxicology. 2nd ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1980. 440]**PEER REVIEWED**


Non-Human Toxicity Values:

LC50 Rat (male) inhalation 387 (320-467) ppm/1 hr
[Vernot EH et al; Toxicol and Appl Pharm 42: 417-23 (1977)]**PEER REVIEWED**

LC50 Rat inhalation 1.21 mg/l/4 hr
[Rusch GM et al; Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 83 (1): 69-78 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**


Metabolism/Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption, Distribution & Excretion:

... /During inhalation exposures up to 6 mo at concn of 12.8 ppm, 3-4 ppm & 1.5 ppm/ the avg fluorine content of rat teeth & bone was elevated at all exposure levels but not in soft tissues analyzed, lung, liver & blood.
[Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982. 2998]**PEER REVIEWED**

Following ingestion, soluble fluorides are rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract at least to the extent of 97%. Absorbed fluoride is distributed throughout the tissues of the body by the blood. Fluoride concentrations in soft tissues fall to pre-exposure levels within a few hours of exposure. Fluoride exchange with hydroxyl radicals of hydroxyapatite (the inorganic constituent of bone) to form fluorohydroxyapatite. Fluoride that is not retained is excreted rapidly in urine. In adults under steady state intake conditions, the urinary concentration of fluoride tends to approximate the concentration of fluoride in the drinking water. This reflects the decreasing retention of fluoride (primarily in bone) with increasing age. Under certain conditions perspiration may be an important route of fluoride excretion. The concentration of fluoride retained in bones and teeth is a function of both the concentration of fluoride intake and the duration of exposure. Periods of excessive fluoride exposure will result in increased retention in the bone. However, when the excessive exposure is eliminated, the bone fluoride concentration will decrease to a concentration that is again reflective of intake. /Fluoride/
[USEPA, Office of Drinking Water; Criteria Document (Draft): Fluoride p.III-19 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**


Mechanism of Action:

INHIBITION OF ONE OR MORE ENZYMES CONTROLLING CELLULAR GLYCOLYSIS (& PERHAPS RESP) MAY RESULT IN A CRITICAL LESION. ... BINDING OR PRECIPITATION OF CALCIUM AS CALCIUM FLUORIDE ... SUGGESTED AS MECHANISM UNDERLYING MANY DIVERSE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS IN FLUORIDE POISONING, PARTICULARLY IF DEATH IS DELAYED. ... AT LEAST IN SOME SPECIES FLUORIDE INTERFERES WITH BOTH CONTRACTILE POWER OF HEART AND THE MECHANISM OF BEAT IN A WAY THAT CANNOT BE ASCRIBED TO HYPOCALCEMIA. /FLUORIDE/
[Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984.,p. II-112]**PEER REVIEWED**


Pharmacology:

Drug Warnings:

Food and Environmental Agents: Effect on Breast-Feeding: Reported Sign or Symptom in Infant or Effect on Lactation: Fluorides: None. /from Table 7/
[Report of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs in Pediatrics 93 (1): 142 (1994)]**QC REVIEWED**


Environmental Fate & Exposure:

Probable Routes of Human Exposure:

Inhalation of vapors or skin and eye contact.
[Sittig, M. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985. 141]**PEER REVIEWED**

NIOSH estimates 50,000 employees are potentially exposed ... in the United States.
[Sittig, M. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985. 141]**PEER REVIEWED**

The following list includes some common operation in which exposure to boron trifluoride may occur ... Use as a Lewis acid catalyst for alkylation of aromatic compounds; use in polymer technology in manufacture of phenolic and epoxy resins; Use in synthesis of other boron-containing organic and inorganic compounds; use in purification of hydrocarbons to remove unsaturates and sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen containing compounds; Use in nuclear technology for seperation of boron isotopes; as a filling gas for neutron counters; Use in metallurgy as flux and antioxidant; use as flame coloring agent for liquefied petroleum gas.
[Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) PublicationNo. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. 3]**PEER REVIEWED**

Employees with potential exposure to boron trifluoride include the initial manufactures, magnesium founders, organic synthesizers, neutron detector instrument manufactures and fumigant producers.
[Milby TH et al; Occupaional Diseases-A Guide to Their Recognition, Publication No. 1097 (1964) as cited in NIOSH; Criteria Document: Boron trifluoride p.16 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-122]**PEER REVIEWED**

Industrial exposures ... occur from release ... into the worker atmosphere as well as from production & handling ... /Boron halides/
[Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982. 2996]**PEER REVIEWED**


Average Daily Intake:

Total daily boron intake in normal human diets ranges from 2.1-4.3 mg boron/kg body weight (bw)/day. /Total boron/
[Zook Eg, Lehman J; J Assoc Off Agric Chem 48: 850-5 (1965)]**PEER REVIEWED**


Natural Pollution Sources:

High levels of boron are most likely to occur in soil derived from marine sediments and arid soils. /Total boron/
[Brown, K.W., G. B. Evans, Jr., B.D. Frentrup (eds.). Hazardous Waste Land Treatment. Boston, MA: Butterworth Publishers, 1983. 211]**PEER REVIEWED**


Soil Adsorption/Mobility:

Some boron is adsorbed by iron and aluminum hydroxy compounds and clay minerals. Finer textured soils retain added boron longer than do coarse, sandy soils. ... Boron sorption by clay minerals and iron and aluminum oxides is pH dependent, with maximum sorption in the range 7-9. The amount of boron adsorbed depends on the surface area of the clay or oxide and this sorption is only partially reversible ... /Boron/
[Brown, K.W., G. B. Evans, Jr., B.D. Frentrup (eds.). Hazardous Waste Land Treatment. Boston, MA: Butterworth Publishers, 1983. 211]**PEER REVIEWED**


Environmental Water Concentrations:

Sea water: Boron is widely distributed in the environment ... 4.5 ug/g in ocean waters ... /Total boron/
[Seiler, H.G., H. Sigel and A. Sigel (eds.). Handbook on the Toxicity of Inorganic Compounds. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1988. 130]**PEER REVIEWED**

Surface water: Boron is widely distributed in the environment ... about 0.01 ug/g in freshwater. /Total boron/
[Seiler, H.G., H. Sigel and A. Sigel (eds.). Handbook on the Toxicity of Inorganic Compounds. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1988. 130]**PEER REVIEWED**


Sediment/Soil Concentrations:

Boron is widely distributed in the environment ... concn average 3-10 ug/g in soil ... /Total boron/
[Seiler, H.G., H. Sigel and A. Sigel (eds.). Handbook on the Toxicity of Inorganic Compounds. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1988. 130]**PEER REVIEWED**


Atmospheric Concentrations:

An air sampling survey of 5 points throughout /a US manufacturing/ plant showed boron trifluoride concn ranging from 0.27 to 0.69 ppm (0.75 to 1.9 mg/cu m) during 24 hr period in May 1974, & from 0.1 to 1.8 ppm in another 24 hr period in August 1974.
[Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982. 2999]**PEER REVIEWED**


Food Survey Values:

Most foods contain less the 6 ug boron/g, with many ... less than 0.5 ug B/g. Individual foods may contain more than 20 ug B/g.
[Seiler, H.G., H. Sigel and A. Sigel (eds.). Handbook on the Toxicity of Inorganic Compounds. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1988. 130]**PEER REVIEWED**


Environmental Standards & Regulations:

Federal Drinking Water Guidelines:

EPA 600 ug/l /Boron/
[USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State Toxicology and Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and Federal Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93)] **QC REVIEWED**


State Drinking Water Guidelines:

(CA) CALIFORNIA 1000 ug/l /Boron/
[USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State Toxicology and Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and Federal Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93)] **QC REVIEWED**

(FL) FLORIDA 630 ug/l /Boron/
[USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State Toxicology and Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and Federal Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93)] **QC REVIEWED**

(ME) MAINE 620 ug/l /Boron/
[USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State Toxicology and Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and Federal Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93)] **QC REVIEWED**

(MN) MINNESOTA 600 ug/l /Boron/
[USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State Toxicology and Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and Federal Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93)] **QC REVIEWED**

(NH) NEW HAMPSHIRE 630 ug/l /Boron/
[USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State Toxicology and Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and Federal Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93)] **QC REVIEWED**

(WI) WISCONSIN 960 ug/l /Boron/
[USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State Toxicology and Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and Federal Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93)] **QC REVIEWED**


FDA Requirements:

Bottled water packaged in the USA to which no fluoride is added shall not contain fluoride in excess of 1.8 mg/l at 63.9-70.6 deg F. Bottled water packaged in the USA to which fluoride is added shall not contain fluoride in excess of 1.2 mg/l at 63.9-70.6 deg F. Imported bottled water to which no fluoride is added and imported bottled water to which fluoride is added shall not contain fluoride in excess of 1.4 mg/l and 0.8 mg/l, respectively. /Fluoride/
[21 CFR 103.35 (4/1/88)]**PEER REVIEWED**


Chemical/Physical Properties:

Molecular Formula:

B-F3
[The Merck Index. 10th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck Co., Inc., 1983. 187]**PEER REVIEWED**


Molecular Weight:

67.82
[The Merck Index. 10th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck Co., Inc., 1983. 187]**PEER REVIEWED**


Color/Form:

COLORLESS GAS
[The Merck Index. 10th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck Co., Inc., 1983. 187]**PEER REVIEWED**

Pungent odor [Note: Forms dense white fumes in moist air. Shipped as a nonliquefied compressed gas].
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-116. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, June 1994. 32]**QC REVIEWED**


Odor:

PUNGENT, SUFFOCATING
[The Merck Index. 10th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck Co., Inc., 1983. 187]**PEER REVIEWED**

Pleasant & acidic (at 1.5 ppm)
[Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982. 2998]**PEER REVIEWED**

Irritating
[Ruth JH; Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 47: A-142-51 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Pungent, suffocating odor.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-116. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, June 1994. 32]**QC REVIEWED**


Boiling Point:

-99.9 DEG C
[Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 6th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984. 513]**PEER REVIEWED**


Melting Point:

-126.8 DEG C
[Weast, R.C. (ed.) Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 69th ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc., 1988-1989.,p. D-192]**PEER REVIEWED**


Corrosivity:

Boron trifluoride will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings
[Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) PublicationNo. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. 2]**PEER REVIEWED**


Critical Temperature & Pressure:

Critical temp: -12.26 deg C; critical pressure: 49.2 atm
[Weast, R.C. (ed.) Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 69th ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc., 1988-1989.,p. F-67]**PEER REVIEWED**


Density/Specific Gravity:

3.07666 G/L (GAS AT STP); 1.57 AT 4 DEG C (LIQ WITH BP OF -100.4 DEG C)
[The Merck Index. 10th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck Co., Inc., 1983. 187]**PEER REVIEWED**


pH:

Lewis acid
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Boron trifluoride p.13 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-122]**PEER REVIEWED**


Solubilities:

332 G/100 G WATER @ 0 DEG C
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996. 222]**QC REVIEWED**

Sol in concn nitric acid, benzene, dichlorobenzene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, carbon disulfide
[ITII. Toxic and Hazarous Industrial Chemicals Safety Manual. Tokyo, Japan: The International Technical Information Institute, 1982. 76]**PEER REVIEWED**

1.94 g/100 g anhydrous sulfuric acid
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996. 222]**QC REVIEWED**

Sol in most saturated & halogenated hydrocarbons & most aromatic cmpd
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996. 222]**QC REVIEWED**


Surface Tension:

17.2 mN/m @ -100 Deg C
[Braker W, Mossman A; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.50 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**


Vapor Pressure:

10 mm & 40 mm Hg at -141.3 & -131.0 deg C (solid); 100 mm, 400 mm & 760 mm Hg at -123.0, -108.3 & -110.7 deg C (liquid)
[Weast, R.C. (ed.) Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 69th ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc., 1988-1989.,p. D-192]**PEER REVIEWED**


Viscosity:

0.0171 m Pa.s (gas) @ 25 Deg C
[Braker W, Mossman A; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.50 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**


Other Chemical/Physical Properties:

FORMS COORDINATION COMPLEXES WITH MOLECULES HAVING AT LEAST 1 UNSHARED PAIR ELECTRONS; FORMS SOLID COMPLEX WITH NITRIC ACID; POLYMERIZES UNSATURATED MOLECULES
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996. 222]**QC REVIEWED**

Boron halides /are/ dominated by their Lewis acidity. ... Order of acidity is boron triiodide equal to boron tribromide > boron trichloride > boron trifluoride ...
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984.,p. 4(78) 129]**PEER REVIEWED**

Gaseous or liquid boron trifluoride does not react with mercury or chromium, even at high pressures for long periods.
[Braker W, Mossman A; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.53 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**


Chemical Safety & Handling:

DOT Emergency Guidelines:

Health: TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled. Vapors are extremely irritating and corrosive. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution. /Boron trifluoride; Boron trifluoride, compressed/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-125]**QC REVIEWED**

Fire or explosion: Some may burn, but none ignite readily. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. Some of these materials may react violently with water. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket. /Boron trifluoride; Boron trifluoride, compressed/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-125]**QC REVIEWED**

Public safety: CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number on Shipping Paper first. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover. Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 100 to 200 meters (330 to 660 feet) in all directions. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind. Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Keep out of low areas. Ventilate closed spaces before entering. /Boron trifluoride; Boron trifluoride, compressed/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-125]**QC REVIEWED**

Protective clothing: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing which is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection. Structural firefighters' protective clothing is recommended for fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations. /Boron trifluoride; Boron trifluoride, compressed/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-125]**QC REVIEWED**

Evacuation: Spill: See the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances for highlighted substances. For non-highlighted substances, increase, in the downwind direction, as necessary, the isolation distance shown under "PUBLIC SAFETY". Fire: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. /Boron trifluoride; Boron trifluoride, compressed/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-125]**QC REVIEWED**

Fire: Small fires: Dry chemical or CO2. Large fires: Water spray, fog or regular foam. Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk. Do not get water inside containers. Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists. Fire involving tanks: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. Always stay away from the ends of tanks. /Boron trifluoride; Boron trifluoride, compressed/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-125]**QC REVIEWED**

Spill or leak: Fully encapsulating, vapor protective clothing should be worn for spills and leaks with no fire. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. /Boron trifluoride; Boron trifluoride, compressed/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-125]**QC REVIEWED**

First aid: Move victim to fresh air. Call emergency medical care. Apply artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; induce artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with liquefied gas, thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. Keep victim warm and quiet. Keep victim under observation. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, and take precautions to protect themselves. /Boron trifluoride; Boron trifluoride, compressed/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-125]**QC REVIEWED**

Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances: Small Spills (from a small package or small leak from a large package): First, ISOLATE in all Directions 60 meters (200 feet); then, PROTECT persons Downwind during DAY 0.2 kilometers (0.1 miles) and NIGHT 0.6 kilometers (0.4 miles). LARGE SPILLS (from a large package or from many small packages): First, ISOLATE in all Directions 185 meters (600 feet); then, PROTECT persons Downwind during DAY 0.6 kilometers (0.4 miles) and NIGHT 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles). /Boron trifluoride; Boron trifluoride, compressed/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. TABLE]**QC REVIEWED**

Health: TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns, or death. Reaction with water or moist air will release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat which will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution. /Boron trifluoride, dihydrate/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-157]**QC REVIEWED**

Fire or explosion: Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars etc.). Substance will react with water (some violently), releasing corrosive and/or toxic gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat which will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or contaminated with water. /Boron trifluoride, dihydrate/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-157]**QC REVIEWED**

Public safety: CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number on Shipping Paper first. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover. Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 50 to 100 meters (160 to 330 feet) in all directions. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind. Keep out of low areas. Ventilate enclosed areas. /Boron trifluoride, dihydrate/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-157]**QC REVIEWED**

Protective clothing: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing which is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. Structural firefighters' protective clothing is recommended for fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations. /Boron trifluoride, dihydrate/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-157]**QC REVIEWED**

Evacuation: Spill: See the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances for highlighted substances. For non-highlighted substances, increase, in the downwind direction, as necessary, the isolation distance shown under "PUBLIC SAFETY". Fire: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. /Boron trifluoride, dihydrate/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-157]**QC REVIEWED**

Fire: Note: Most foams will react with the material and release corrosive/toxic gases. Small fires: CO2 (except for Cyanides), dry chemical, dry sand, alcohol-resistant foam. Large fires: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk. Do not use straight streams. Dike fire control water for later disposal; do not scatter the material. Fire involving tanks or car/trailer loads: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from the ends of tanks. /Boron trifluoride, dihydrate/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-157]**QC REVIEWED**

Spill or leak: ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area). All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. A vapor suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Small spills: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand, or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Use clean non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal. /Boron trifluoride, dihydrate/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-157]**QC REVIEWED**

First aid: Move victim to fresh air. Call emergency medical care. Apply artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; induce artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin. Keep victim warm and quiet. Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance may be delayed. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, and take precautions to protect themselves. /Boron trifluoride, dihydrate/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-157]**QC REVIEWED**


Odor Threshold:

Odor low 4.50 mg/cu m; Odor high 4.50 mg/cu m
[Ruth JH; Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 47: A-142-51 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**


Skin, Eye and Respiratory Irritations:

Extremely irritating to eyes & respiratory tract.
[National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1986.,p. 49-21]**PEER REVIEWED**

The gas is very irritating to the skin.
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Boron trifluoride p.12 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-122]**PEER REVIEWED**


Fire Potential:

Nonflammable
[National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1986.,p. 49-21]**PEER REVIEWED**


NFPA Hazard Classification:

HEALTH: 3. 3= Materials extremely hazardous to health, but areas may be entered with extreme care. Full protective clothing, incl self-contained breathing apparatus, rubber gloves, boots & bands around legs, arms & waist should be provided. No skin surface should be exposed.
[National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1986.,p. 49-21]**PEER REVIEWED**

FLAMMABILITY: 0. 0= Materials that will not burn.
[National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1986.,p. 49-21]**PEER REVIEWED**

REACTIVITY: 1. 1= Materials which in themselves are normally stable but which may become unstable at elevated temperatures & pressures or which may react with water with some release of energy but not violently. Caution must be used in approaching the fire & applying water.
[National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1986.,p. 49-21]**PEER REVIEWED**


Fire Fighting Procedures:

Do not apply water directly to leaks from cylinders because it will increase the rate of evaporation. A fog type spray may be used to react with & help eliminate the gas & particulates.
[National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1986.,p. 49-21]**PEER REVIEWED**


Toxic Combustion Products:

WHEN HEATED TO DECOMP ... WILL PRODUCE TOXIC & CORROSIVE FUMES OF /HYDROGEN FLUORIDE/.
[Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 6th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984. 513]**PEER REVIEWED**


Firefighting Hazards:

... Particulates in fume may reduce visibility when large volume of gas escapes.
[National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1986.,p. 49-21]**PEER REVIEWED**


Explosive Limits & Potential:

Certain chemicals, if drawn back into a boron trifluoride cylinder, can build up tremendous pressure that may cause the cylinder to burst.
[National Research Council. Prudent Practices for Handling Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1981. 92]**PEER REVIEWED**


Hazardous Reactivities & Incompatibilities:

Boron trifluoride reacts with incandescence when heated with alkali metals or alkaline earth metals, except magnesium.
[National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1986.,p. 491M-12]**PEER REVIEWED**

Ethyl, isopropyl, butyl, benzyl, and triphenylmethyl nitrates in contact with ... boron trifluoride interact violently (after an induction period of up to several hr) with gas evolution.
[Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Butterworths, 1985. 1437]**PEER REVIEWED**

The reaction of calcium oxide and boron trifluoride forms a fused mass after warming.
[National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1986.,p. 491M-45]**PEER REVIEWED**

Fumes strongly in moist air to form /hydrogen fluoride/ and boric acids ...
[National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1986.,p. 49-21]**PEER REVIEWED**

... upon contact with water or steam, will produce toxic and corrosive fumes of /hydrogen fluoride/.
[Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 6th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984. 513]**PEER REVIEWED**

With anhydrous calcium oxide or magnesium oxide, the metal fluoride and the volatile boron oxyfluoride are formed.
[Braker W, Mossman A; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.53 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Aluminum chloride or aluminum bromide react with boron trifluoride when gently heated to yield boron halide and aluminum fluoride.
[Braker W, Mossman A; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.53 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Boron trifluoride, (electrophilic), acts as an acid catalyst for esterification, nitrations, oxidations, reductions, and halogenations.
[Braker W, Mossman A; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.53 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Alkali and alkaline earth metals reduce boron trifluoride to elemental boron and the metal fluoride.
[Braker W, Mossman A; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.53 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Boron trifluoride reacts with slaked lime; calcium borate and fluoroborate are formed with evolution of heat.
[Braker W, Mossman A; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.53 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Mono- and di- hydroxyflouroboric acids are formed very rapidly when boron trifluoride contacts water contained in a vessel.
[Wamser CA; J Am Chem Soc 73: 409-16 (1951) as cited in NIOSH; Criteria Document: Boron trifluoride p.16 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-122]**PEER REVIEWED**

INTERACTION OF ... /HEXAFLUORISOPROPYLIDENEAMINOLITHIUM/ WITH A RANGE OF CHLORO- AND FLUORO-DERIVATIVES OF BORON ... DURING WARMING TO 25 DEG C TENDED TO BE VIOLENTLY EXOTHERMIC IN ABSENCE OF SOLVENT.
[Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Butterworths, 1985. 329]**PEER REVIEWED**

The trihalides react with water, lower alcohols, hydrogen sulfide, alkyl mercaptans, ammonia, primary and secondary amines, phosphine, and arsine, liberating hydrogen halide in each case. /Boron trihalides/
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984.,p. 4(78) 130]**PEER REVIEWED**

The boron halides react violently with ammonia. /Boron halides/
[Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Butterworths, 1985. 1178]**PEER REVIEWED**

BORON HALIDES REACT VIOLENTLY WITH WATER, AND, PARTICULARLY IF THERE IS A DEFICIENCY OF WATER, A VIOLENT EXPLOSION MAY RESULT. /BORON HALIDES/
[Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Butterworths, 1985. 57]**PEER REVIEWED**

Boron halides are reduced by active metals, metal hydrides, and hydrogen. Reaction with the alkali and alkaline earth metals at elevated temperature yields elemental boron and the metal halide. /Boron halides/
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984.,p. 4(78) 131]**PEER REVIEWED**

Alkali metals, calcium oxide [Note: Hydrolyzes in moist air or hot water to form boric acid, hydrogen fluoride & fluoboric acid].
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 32]**QC REVIEWED**


Hazardous Decomposition:

WHEN HEATED TO DECOMP ... WILL PRODUCE ... FUMES OF /HYDROGEN FLUORIDE/. /BORON FLUORIDE/
[Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 6th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984. 513]**PEER REVIEWED**

THE TOXIC ACTION OF THE HALOGENATED BORONS IS CONSIDERABLY INFLUENCED BY THEIR DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS (HYDROFLUORIC ACID-, FLUOBORIC ACID-, HYDROCHLORIC ACID-). /HALOGENATED BORONS/
[International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983. 321]**PEER REVIEWED**


Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health:

25 ppm
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 32]**QC REVIEWED**


Protective Equipment & Clothing:

Air supplied respirators should only be used in certain non-routine ... or emergency situations when air concn of boron trifluoride are sufficient to form visible mist. Proper impervious protective clothing incl gloves, aprons, suits, boots, goggles, and face shields ... as needed to prevent skin and eye contact ...
[Sittig, M. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985. 142]**PEER REVIEWED**

Recommendations for respirator selection. Max concn for use: 10 ppm. Respirator Class(es): Any supplied-air respirator. May require eye protection.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 32]**QC REVIEWED**

Recommendations for respirator selection. Max concn for use: 25 ppm. Respirator Class(es): Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous flow mode. May require eye protection. Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece. Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 32]**QC REVIEWED**

Recommendations for respirator selection. Condition: Emergency or planned entry into unknown concn or IDLH conditions: Respirator Class(es): Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 32]**QC REVIEWED**

Recommendations for respirator selection. Condition: Escape from suddenly occurring respiratory hazards: Respirator Class(es): Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern. Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 32]**QC REVIEWED**


Preventive Measures:

Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this chemical.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 32]**QC REVIEWED**

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.
**PEER REVIEWED**

Gas masks approved for acid gases or those with an independent oxygen or air supply should be available in convenient locations ... do not use equipment which has been used for boron trifluoride with other gases, particularity oxygen, since the gas may have oil vapors which coat out on the equipment, causing fires when combined with oxygen under pressure. /To prevent/ the possibility of suckback into the cylinder, traps or check valves should be used as a safe-guard.
[Braker W, Mossman A; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.53 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Fountains and safety showers must be provided in areas of potential boron trifluoride exposure, since skin and eye effects can be minimized with immediate, thorough washing of exposed surfaces.
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Boron trifluoride p.61 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-122]**PEER REVIEWED**

Food preparation, dispensing (including vending machines), and eating should be prohibited in boron trifluoride work areas. Smoking and uncovered smoking materials should be prohibited in boron trifluoride work areas because of the possibility of adsorption of the compound onto smoking materials.
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Boron trifluoride p.9 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-122]**PEER REVIEWED**

SRP: Contaminated protective clothing should be segregated in such a manner so that there is no direct personal contact by personnel who handle, dispose, or clean the clothing. Quality assurance to ascertain the completeness of the cleaning procedures should be implemented before the decontaminated protective clothing is returned for reuse by the workers. Contaminated clothing should not be taken home at end of shift, but should remain at employee's place of work for cleaning.
**PEER REVIEWED**

In contact with atmosphere, the gas forms dense white fumes. Even after cylinder valve has been tightly closed, the fumes will linger around the outlet for as long as 0.5 hr. This frequently causes the user to believe that the valve itself is leaking. In addn, the gas is inherently difficult to control through valves & piping, & even the best equipment is apt to show slight signs of leaking, which will make an abundance of fumes. It is essential when using boron trifluoride to have a trap in the delivery tube to prevent impurities from being sucked back into the cylinder. ... Every boron trifluoride valve is equipped with a device consisting of a platinum disc in back of a plug containing a metal that will melt at approx 70 deg C. Frequently, a similar safety device is inserted in the base of the cylinder.
[National Research Council. Prudent Practices for Handling Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1981. 92]**PEER REVIEWED**


Stability/Shelf Life:

Boron trifluoride ... is stable in dry atmospheres.
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Boron trifluoride p.13 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-122]**PEER REVIEWED**


Shipment Methods and Regulations:

No person may /transport,/ offer or accept a hazardous material for transportation in commerce unless that person is registered in conformance ... and the hazardous material is properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled, and in condition for shipment as required or authorized by ... /the hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR 171-177)./
[49 CFR 171.2 (7/1/96)]**QC REVIEWED**

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations are published by the IATA Dangerous Goods Board pursuant to IATA Resolutions 618 and 619 and constitute a manual of industry carrier regulations to be followed by all IATA Member airlines when transporting hazardous materials.
[IATA. Dangerous Goods Regulations. 38th ed. Montreal, Canada and Geneva, Switzerland: International Air Transport Association, Dangerous Goods Board, January, 1997. 110]**QC REVIEWED**

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code lays down basic principles for transporting hazardous chemicals. Detailed recommendations for individual substances and a number of recommendations for good practice are included in the classes dealing with such substances. A general index of technical names has also been compiled. This index should always be consulted when attempting to locate the appropriate procedures to be used when shipping any substance or article.
[IMDG; International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code; International Maritime Organization p.2021 (1988)]**QC REVIEWED**


Storage Conditions:

PROTECT CYLINDERS AGAINST PHYSICAL DAMAGE. STORE IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA IN A NONCOMBUSTIBLE STRUCTURE.
[National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1986.,p. 49-21]**PEER REVIEWED**

Cylinders of boron trifluoride must be secured against dropping, falling and rupture. Storage areas must be free of excess moisture, and to minimize corrosion, the cylinders must not be stored on damp ground. No boron trifluoride storage area may contain explosives or flammable materials. Laboratories are advised to store boron trifluoride cylinders in exhaust hoods and to maintain design airflows.
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Boron trifluoride p.61 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-122]**PEER REVIEWED**


Cleanup Methods:

1) Ventilate area of leak to disperse the gas. 2) Stop flow of gas. If source of leak is cylinder & leak cannot be stopped in place, remove ... to safe place in open air, & repair leak or allow cylinder to empty.
[Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) PublicationNo. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. 3]**PEER REVIEWED**


Disposal Methods:

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.
**PEER REVIEWED**

Chemical reaction with water to form boric acid and fluoroboric acid. The fluoroboric acid is reacted with limestone forming boric acid and calcium fluoride. The boric acid may be discharged into a sanitary sewer system while the calcium fluoride may be recovered or landfilled.
[Sittig, M. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985. 142]**PEER REVIEWED**


Occupational Exposure Standards:

OSHA Standards:

Permissible Exposure Limit: Table Z-1 Ceiling value: 1 ppm (3 mg/cu m).
[29 CFR 1910.1000 (7/1/98)]**QC REVIEWED**


Threshold Limit Values:

Ceiling Limit 1 ppm
[American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents Biological Exposure Indices for 1998. Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1998. 20]**QC REVIEWED**


NIOSH Recommendations:

Recommended Exposure Limit: (15 Min) Ceiling value: 1 ppm (3 mg/cu m).
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 32]**QC REVIEWED**


Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health:

25 ppm
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 32]**QC REVIEWED**


Other Occupational Permissible Levels:

USSR (1972): 0.35 ppm; Germany and Finland TLV 1 ppm
[American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 5th ed. Cincinnati, OH:American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1986. 63]**PEER REVIEWED**

The Soviet Union had adopted 1 mg/cu m (0.36 ppm) as a maximum allowable concentration (MAC). The standard of the Federal Republic of Germany is a Maximum Worksite Concentration limit of 3 mg/cu m (1.08 ppm) as a TWA concentration limit.
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Boron trifluoride p.55 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-122]**PEER REVIEWED**

Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPG): ERPG(1) 2 mg/cu m (no more than mild, transient effects) for up to 1 hr exposure; ERPG(2) 30 mg/cu m (without serious, adverse effects) for up to 1 hr exposure; ERPG(3) 100 mg/cu m (not life threatening) up to 1 hr exposure.
[American Industrial Hygiene Association. The AIHA 1999 Emergency Response Planning Guidelines and Workplace Environmental Exposure Level Guides Handbook.American Industrial Hygiene Association. Fairfax, VA 1999. 25]**QC REVIEWED**


Manufacturing/Use Information:

Major Uses:

AS A FUMIGANT; IN IONIZATION CHAMBERS FOR DETECTION OF WEAK NEUTRONS; TO PROTECT MOLTEN MAGNESIUM AND ITS ALLOYS FROM OXIDATION; AS A FLUX FOR SOLDERING MAGNESIUM
[The Merck Index. 10th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck Co., Inc., 1983. 187]**PEER REVIEWED**

CATALYST IN ORGANIC SYNTHESIS, PRODUCTION OF DIBORANE; GAS BRAZING, A PERMANENT METHOD OF JOINING METALS THAT INVOLVES A FILLER METAL OR ALLOY AT OR > 430 DEG C
[Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. (eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987. 165]**PEER REVIEWED**

BORON-10 ENRICHMENT; PRODUCTION OF NEUTRON ABSORBING SALTS FOR MOLTEN-SALT BREEDER REACTORS; MAGNESIUM INDUSTRY USES THE FIRE RETARDANT AND ANTI-OXIDANT PROPERTIES IN CASTING & HEAT TREATING
[Sittig, M. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985. 141]**PEER REVIEWED**

USED BY ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY FOR: TREATING OF SEPARATORS FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL HIGH TEMPERATURE CELLS; PREPARING HIGH BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE VARISTORS; ENHANCING SURFACE CONDUCTIVITY OF PERYLENE
[BEEKER K ET AL; GMELIN HANDBOOK OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, 8TH ED, (1982) 2ND SUPPLEMENT V2 p.77]**PEER REVIEWED**

Used as a catalyst in the Friedel-Crafts type reaction, in the synthesis of saturated hydrocarbons, olefins, alcohols, thiols, ketones, and ethers, in the cracking of hydrocarbons, and in the Beckman, Fries and benzidine rearrangements ... used in the preparation of boranes.
[Braker W, Mossman A; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.50 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Boron trifluoride is used ... as a catalyst in operations such as isomerization, alkylation, polymerization, esterification, condensation, cyclization, hydration, sulfonation, desulfurization, nitration, halogenation, oxidation and acylation.
[Braker W, Mossman A; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.50 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

BORON TRIFLUORIDE MAY BE USED AS A CATALYST /IN THE MANUFACTURE OF POLY-VINYL ETHERS FOR USE IN FOODSTUFF PACKAGING/. IN THE FINISHED PRODUCT, THE CONTENT OF DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS OF THE CATALYST MUST NOT EXCEED 0.04% OF BORON & 0.3% OF FLUORINE.
[Lefaux, R. Practical Toxicology of Plastics. Cleveland: CRC Press Inc., 1968. 524]**PEER REVIEWED**


Manufacturers:

Allied-Signal Inc, Hq, Columbia Road and Park Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960, (201) 455-2000; Engineered materials Sector; Production site: Route 13, Claymont, DE 19703 (Delaware Valley Works)
[SRI. 1989 Directory of Chemical Producers - United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1989. 489]**QC REVIEWED**

Pennwalt Corporation, Hq, Pennwalt Building, Three Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19102, (215) 587-7000; Chemical Group; Subsidiary: Ozark-Mahoning Company, 1870 S Boulder Ave, Tulsa, OK 74119, (918) 585-2661
[SRI. 1989 Directory of Chemical Producers - United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1989. 489]**QC REVIEWED**


Methods of Manufacturing:

REACTION OF BORAX WITH HYDROFLUORIC AND FUMING SULFURIC ACIDS
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

Reaction of boric acid & ammonium bifluoride. The complex formed is then treated with cold fuming sulfuric acid.
[Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. (eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987. 165]**PEER REVIEWED**

OBTAINED WHEN BORON BURNS IN FLUORINE; USUALLY PREPARED BY HEATING A FLUOROBORATE WITH BORIC OXIDE AND CONCENTRATED SULFURIC ACID
[HASZELDINE RN, SHARPE AG; FLUORINE AND ITS COMPOUNDS (1952) p.32]**PEER REVIEWED**

BORON TRIFLUORIDE IS OBSERVED (BESIDE OTHER PRODUCTS) IN A PULSED CO-LASER INITIATED REACTION BETWEEN CARBON TRICHLORIDE AND SILCON TETRAFLUORIDE, AND THE REACTION OF MF6(M= MO,W,RE,OS,U) WITH B2O
[BECKER K ET AL; GMELIN HANDBOOK OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, 8TH ED (1982) 2ND SUPPLEMENT V2 p.3]**PEER REVIEWED**

TREATMENT OF BORIC ACID WITH FLUOROSULFONIC ACID
[RUDGE AJ; THE MANUFACTURE AND USE OF FLUORINE AND ITS COMPOUNDS (1962) p.47]**PEER REVIEWED**


General Manufacturing Information:

PREPN: SWINEHART, US PATENT 2,148,514, 2,196,907 (1939, 1940 TO HARSHAW CHEM); BOOTH, WILSON, INORG SYN 1: 21 (1939); KWASNIK IN BRAUER, ED (ACADEMIC PRESS, NY, 2ND ED, 1963) PP 219-222; WIESBOECK, US PAT 3,690,821 (1972 TO US STEEL).
[The Merck Index. 10th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck Co., Inc., 1983. 187]**PEER REVIEWED**

LAB PREP: DECOMPOSITION OF A DIAZONIUM FLUOROBORATE AND THE FLUORINATION OF BORON TRICHLORIDE WITH ANTIMONY TRIFLUORIDE
[HASZELDINE RN, SHARPE AG; FLUORINE AND ITS COMPOUNDS P.32 (1952)]**PEER REVIEWED**


Formulations/Preparations:

Grades: Pure (99% min)
[Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. (eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987. 165]**PEER REVIEWED**

10% BORON TRIFLUORIDE IN METHANOL
[Fluka; Catalog 14, Chemicals and Biochemicals p.192 (1984)]**PEER REVIEWED**

99.5% BORON TRIFLUORIDE HYDRATE; BORON TRIFLUORIDE DIHYDRATE, 95%
[Pfaltz & Bauer; Comp Catalog Org Inorg Research Chem p.53 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**

BORON TRIFLUORIDE: GAS; HIGH PURITY (99.5%) & PURIFIED (99%)
[CHEMICALWEEK BUYERS' GUIDE '86 p.45]**PEER REVIEWED**


Impurities:

1.0% nitrogen; <0.006% sulfur dioxide; <0.0006% ferric oxide; <0.003% silicon dioxide; traces of oxygen
[Fluka; Catalog 14, Chemicals and Biochemicals p.192(1984)]**PEER REVIEWED**


Consumption Patterns:

Principal uses for boron compounds consumed in the United States in 1988 were estimated to be glass products, 56%; soaps and detergents, 6%; agriculture, 4%; and other, 34% /Boron compounds/
[BUREAU OF MINES. MINERAL COMMODITY SUMMARIES 1989 P.28]**PEER REVIEWED**


Laboratory Methods:

Clinical Laboratory Methods:

MATRIX: URINE: PROCEDURE: ION SPECIFIC ELECTRODE; RANGE: LOWER LIMIT URINE 0.19 MG/L. /TOTAL FLUORIDE/
[U.S. Department of Health, Education Welfare, Public Health Service. Center for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety Health. NIOSH Manual ofAnalytical Methods. 2nd ed. Volumes 1-7. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1977-present.,p. V1 114-1]**PEER REVIEWED**

Analyte: Fluoride ion (F-); Matrix: urine; Procedure: Ion selective electrode; Quality control: spike urine pools, correct for creatinine content; Range: 1-100 mg/l urine; Precision: 0.04 /Fluoride/
[U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSHManual of Analytical Methods, 3rd ed. Volumes 1 and 2 with 1985 supplement, and revisions. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, February 1984.,p. V1 8308-1]**PEER REVIEWED**

CHARGED PARTICLE ACTIVATION TECHNIQUE IS USEFUL IN NONDESTRUCTIVELY DETERMINING CONCN PROFILES OF F- IN EXTRACTED TEETH. /FLUORIDE/
[RAJAN KS ET AL; J DENT RES 55 (4): 671 (1976)]**PEER REVIEWED**

NIOSH 8308: Analyte: fluoride ion (F-); Specimen: urine, pre- and post-shift; Vol: 50 ml in chemically clean polyethylene bottles; Preservative: 0.2 g EDTA added to bottles before collection; Stability: 2 wk @ 4 deg C, longer if frozen; Technique: ion selective electrode; Quality control: spike urine pools, correct for creatinine content; Range: 1-100 mg/l urine; Est LOD: 0.1 mg/l urine; Precision(Sr): 0.04; Interferences: Hydroxide, the only positive interference, is eliminated by use of the buffer /Fluoride/
[U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSHManual of Analytical Methods, 3rd ed. Volumes 1 and 2 with 1985 supplement, and revisions. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, February 1984.,p. V1 8308-1]**PEER REVIEWED**

Spectrophotometric methods include atomic absorption, flame emission, spark or arc emission, and ICAPES. ... Are capable of determining microgram or submicrogram quantities. A neutron activation technique using solid-state tract detectors ... to determine boron in biological material at levels below 0.1 ug/ml in 0.5 ul aliquots. /Boron/
[Seiler, H.G., H. Sigel and A. Sigel (eds.). Handbook on the Toxicity of Inorganic Compounds. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1988. 137]**PEER REVIEWED**

Fluids may often be analyzed directly by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Many products require ashing with a fixative to remove organic material and to convert boron compounds to the borate form. ... The most frequently used extractant for both original or ashed materials is 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol in methylisobutyl ketone solvent. /Boron cmpd/
[Seiler, H.G., H. Sigel and A. Sigel (eds.). Handbook on the Toxicity of Inorganic Compounds. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1988. 137]**PEER REVIEWED**

Boron is detectable in urine and sometimes in cerebrospinal fluid by the turmeric paper test (Boggs and Anrode, 1955), but quantitative techniques have been used to measure boron in blood. /Borate/
[Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984.,p. III-68]**PEER REVIEWED**

Plasma atomic emission spectrometry detection limit 0.001 mg boron/l; 0.012 mg boron/l (in urine). /Boron/
[Nat'l Research Council Canada; Data Sheets On Selected Toxic Elements, p. 23 (1982) NRCC No. 19252]**PEER REVIEWED**


Analytic Laboratory Methods:

Determination in air: ... by colorimetric analysis.
[Sittig, M. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985. 141]**PEER REVIEWED**

Method 413B: Electrode Method. This method is suitable for fluoride concn from 0.1 to more than 10 mg/l. The fluoride electrode is a selective ion sensor. The key element in the fluoride electrode is the laser-type doped lanthanum fluoride crystal across which a potential is established by fluoride soln of different concn. The crystal contacts the sample soln at one face and an internal reference soln at the other. The fluoride electrode measures the ion activity of fluoride in soln rather than concn. Fluoride ion activity depends on the soln total ionic strength and pH, and on fluoride complexing species. Adding an appropriate buffer provides a uniform ionic strength background, adjusts pH, and breaks up complexes so that, in effect, the electrode measures concn. A synthetic sample containing 0.850 mg fluoride ion/l in distilled water was analyzed in 111 laboratories with relative standard deviation of 3.6% and relative error of 0.7%. /Total fluoride/
[Franson MA (Ed); Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater p.357-9 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Method 413C: SPADNS Method. This method is suitable only for concn in the range of 0.05 to 1.4 mg/l. /This is a colorimetric method based on the color developed upon addition of SPADNS solution and zirconyl acid reagent to fluoride containing sample/. The reaction rate between fluoride and zirconium ion is influenced greatly by the acidity of the reaction mixture. If the proportion of acid in the reagent is incr, the reaction can be made almost instantaneous. Under such conditions, however, the effect of various ions differs from that in the conventional alizarin method. The selection of dye for this rapid fluoride method is governed largely by the resulting tolerance to these ions. A synthetic sample containing 0.830 mg fluoride ion/l and no interference in distilled water was analyzed in 53 laboratories with a relative standard deviation of 8.0% and a relative error of 1.2%. After direct distillation of the sample, the relative standard deviation was 11.0% and the relative error 2.4%. /Total fluoride/
[Franson MA (Ed); Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater p.359-61 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Method 413E: Complexone Method. This method is applicable to potable, surface, and saline waters as well as domestic and industrial wastewaters. The range of the method, which can be modified by using the adjustable colorimeter, is 0.1 to 2.0 mg fluoride/l. The sample is distilled and the distillate is reacted with alizarin fluorine blue-lanthanum reagent to form a blue complex that is measured colorimetrically at 620 nm. In a single laboratory, four samples of natural water containing from 0.40 to 0.82 mg fluoride/l were analyzed in septuplicate. Average precision was + or - 0.03 mg fluoride/l. To two of the samples, additions of 0.20 and 0.80 mg fluoride/l were made. Average recovery of the additions was 98%. /Total fluoride/
[Franson MA (Ed); Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater p.362 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**

MATRIX: AIR; PROCEDURE: ION SPECIFIC ELECTRODE; RANGE: 0.05 TO 475 MG/CU M FLUORIDE. /TOTAL FLUORIDE/
[U.S. Department of Health, Education Welfare, Public Health Service. Center for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety Health. NIOSH Manual ofAnalytical Methods. 2nd ed. Volumes 1-7. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1977-present.,p. V1 117-1]**PEER REVIEWED**

EPA Method 340.3 is an automated complexone colorimetric method for the determination of fluoride in drinking, surface, and saline waters, and domestic and industrial wastes. The applicable range is 0.05 to 1.5 mg/l fluoride. For total or total dissolved fluoride, the Bellack Distillation must be performed on the samples prior to analysis. In a single laboratory using surface water samples concentrations of 0.06, 0.15, and 1.08 mg/l fluoride the standard deviation was + or - 0.018, and at concentrations of 0.14 and 1.25 mg/l fluoride, recoveries were 89% and 102% respectively. /Fluoride/
[USEPA; Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes p.340.3 (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED**

EPA Method 340.1 is a colorimetric method using sodium 2-(parasulfophenylazo)- 1,8-dihydroxy-3,6-naphthalene disulfonate with Bellack distillation for the measurement of total fluoride in drinking, surface, and saline waters, and domestic and industrial wastes. It covers a range from 0.1 to about 1.4 mg/l fluoride. On samples containing 0.57, 0.68, and 0.83 mg/l fluoride, the mean obtained was 0.60, 0.72, and 0.81, respectively with a standard deviation of + or - 0.103, + or - 0.092, and + or - 0.089 mg/l respectively. /Total fluoride/
[USEPA; Methods of Chemical Analysis or Water and Wastes p.340.1 (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED**

EPA Method 340.2 is a potentiometric method using an ion selective electrode for the measurement of fluoride in drinking, surface, and saline waters, and domestic and industrial wastes. Concentration of fluoride from 0.1 up to 1000 mg/l may be measured. For total or total dissolved fluoride, the Bellack distillation is required for National Pollutent Discharge Elimination System monitoring, but is not required for Safe Drinking Water Act. A synthetic sample prepared by the Analytical Reference Service containing 0.85 mg/l fluoride and no interferences had a mean of 0.84 mg/l with a standard deviation of + or - 0.03. A synthetic sample containing 0.75 mg/l fluoride, 2.5 mg/l polyphosphate and 300 mg/l alkalinity had a mean of 0.75 mg/l fluoride with a standard deviation of + or - 0.036. /Fluoride/
[USEPA; Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes p.340.2 (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Characteristic flame test ... can identify boron at levels as low as 0.2 ug in material adhering to a platinum wire loop. At least 26 colorimetric and 4 fluorescent reagents are known for qualitative identification ... with sensitivities of < 1 ug/ml and 0.04 ug (absolute), respectively. /Boron/
[Seiler, H.G., H. Sigel and A. Sigel (eds.). Handbook on the Toxicity of Inorganic Compounds. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1988. 137]**PEER REVIEWED**

Spectrophotometric methods include atomic absorption, flame emission, spark or arc emission, and ICAPES. ... Are capable of determining microgram or submicrogram quantities. A neutron activation technique using solid-state tract detectors ... to determine boron in biological material at levels below 0.1 ug/ml in 0.5 ul aliquots. /Boron/
[Seiler, H.G., H. Sigel and A. Sigel (eds.). Handbook on the Toxicity of Inorganic Compounds. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1988. 137]**PEER REVIEWED**

EPA Method 200.7: An Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectrophotmetric method for the determination of dissolved, suspended, or total elements in drinking water, surface water, and domestic and industrial wastewaters, is described. Boron is analyzed at a wavelength of 249.773 nanometers and has an estimated detection limit of 5.0 ug/l. /Total boron/
[40 CFR 136 (7/1/88)]**PEER REVIEWED**

The curcumin method is applicable for the determination of boron concentrations in the 0.10 to 1.0 mg/l range. When a sample of water containing boron is acidified and evaporated in the presence of circumin, a red colored product called rosocyanine is formed. The rosocyanin is taken up in a suitable solvent and the red color is compared with standards visually or photometrically. A synthetic sample contaning 240 ug boron/l, 40 ug arsenic/l, 250 mg beryllium/l, 20 ug selenium/l, and 6 ug vanadium/l in distilled water was analyzed in 30 laboratories by the curcumin method with a relative standard deviation of 22.8% and a relative error of 0%. /Total boron/
[Franson MA (Ed); Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater p.274-6 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**

The carmine method is suitable for the determination of boron concn in the 1 to 10 mg/l range. In the presence of boron, a soln of carmine or carminic acid in concn sulfuric acid changes from a bright red to a bluish red or blue, depending on the concn of boron present. The ions commonly found in water and wastewater do not interfere with this method. A synthetic sample containing 180 ug boron/l, 50 ug arsenic/l, 400 ug beryllium/l, and 50 ug selenium/l in distilled water was analyzed in nine laboratories by the carmine method with a relative standard deviation of 35.5% and a relative error of 0.6%. /Total boron/
[Franson MA (Ed); Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater p.276-7 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Method 305: Emission spectroscopy for the determination of boron in water and wastewater samples using an inductively coupled plasma source. The exact choice of emission line is related to sample matrix and instrumentation. A typically used emission line for boron in water is a wavelength of 249.8 nm, with an expected detection limit of 5.0 ug/l. /Total boron (from table)/
[Franson MA (Ed): Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater p.181 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**


Sampling Procedures:

Determination in air: Collection by an impinger preceded by a filter ...
[Sittig, M. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985. 141]**PEER REVIEWED**

Measurements to determine employee ceiling exposure are best taken during periods of maximum expected airborne concentrations of boron trifluoride. Each measurement should consist of a fifteen (15) minute sample or series of consecutive samples totalling fifteen minutes in the employee's breathing zone (air that would most nearly represent that inhaled by the employee).
[Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) PublicationNo. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. 2]**PEER REVIEWED**

Analyte: Fluoride ion (F-); Specimen: urine, pre- and post- shift; Vol: 50 ml in chemically clean polyethylene bottles; Preservative: 0.2 g EDTA added to bottles before collection; Stability: 2 wks @ 4 deg C, longer if frozen; Controls: collect 3 sets of specimens from unexposed workers pre- and post-shift /Total fluoride/
[U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSHManual of Analytical Methods, 3rd ed. Volumes 1 and 2 with 1985 supplement, and revisions. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, February 1984.,p. V1 8308-1]**PEER REVIEWED**


Special References:

Special Reports:

NIOSH; Criteria Document: Boron trifluoride (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-122

USEPA; Chemical Profiles: Boron trifluoride 1-3 (1985)

Nat'l Research Council Canada; Data Sheets on Selected Toxic Elements (1982) NRCC No. 19252

USEPA; Health Advisory for Boron (Draft) (1988)

USEPA/OWRS; Quality Criteria for Water 1986 Boron (1986) EPA 440/5-86-001

DHHS/ATSDR; Toxicological Profile for Boron (1992) ATSDR/TP-91/05


Synonyms and Identifiers:

Related HSDB Records:

327 [BORON TRIBROMIDE] (Analog)

326 [BORON TRICHLORIDE] (Analog)

Synonyms:

ANCA 1040
**PEER REVIEWED**

BORANE, TRIFLUORO-
**PEER REVIEWED**

BORON FLUORIDE
**PEER REVIEWED**

BORON FLUORIDE (BF3)
**PEER REVIEWED**

FLUORURE DE BORE (FRENCH)
**PEER REVIEWED**

TRIFLUOROBORANE
**PEER REVIEWED**

TRIFLUOROBORON
**PEER REVIEWED**


Associated Chemicals:

Boron trifluoride dihydrate;13319-75-0


Formulations/Preparations:

Grades: Pure (99% min)
[Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. (eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987. 165]**PEER REVIEWED**

10% BORON TRIFLUORIDE IN METHANOL
[Fluka; Catalog 14, Chemicals and Biochemicals p.192 (1984)]**PEER REVIEWED**

99.5% BORON TRIFLUORIDE HYDRATE; BORON TRIFLUORIDE DIHYDRATE, 95%
[Pfaltz & Bauer; Comp Catalog Org Inorg Research Chem p.53 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**

BORON TRIFLUORIDE: GAS; HIGH PURITY (99.5%) & PURIFIED (99%)
[CHEMICALWEEK BUYERS' GUIDE '86 p.45]**PEER REVIEWED**


Shipping Name/ Number DOT/UN/NA/IMO:

UN 1008; Boron trifluoride

IMO 6.1; Boron trifluoride

UN 2851; Boron trifluoride dihydrate

IMO 8.2; Boron trifluoride dihydrate


Standard Transportation Number:

49 041 10; Boron trifluoride

49 302 02; Boron trifluoride-acetic acid complex


RTECS Number:

NIOSH/ED2275000


Administrative Information:

Hazardous Substances Databank Number: 325

Last Revision Date: 20010808

Last Review Date: Reviewed by SRP on 08/25/1989


Update History:

Field Update on 08/08/2001, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Field Update on 05/16/2001, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 02/08/2000, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 02/02/2000, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 11/18/1999, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 09/21/1999, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 07/20/1999, 7 fields added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 05/04/1999, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 03/30/1999, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 02/04/1999, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 01/27/1999, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 11/12/1998, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 02/25/1998, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 04/01/1997, 2 fields added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 03/07/1997, 3 fields added/edited/deleted.
Field Update on 03/06/1997, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 02/07/1997, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 04/18/1996, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 04/15/1996, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 03/27/1996, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 03/01/1996, 6 fields added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 01/18/1996, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 01/18/1995, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 12/19/1994, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 09/16/1994, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 06/29/1994, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 05/05/1994, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 03/25/1994, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 08/07/1993, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Field update on 12/12/1992, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 10/07/1992, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 04/27/1992, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 01/23/1992, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 07/19/1990, 80 fields added/edited/deleted.
Field Update on 01/15/1990, 1 field added/edited/deleted.
Complete Update on 10/03/1986