E X T O X N E T
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Pesticide
Information
Profile
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Sulfuryl fluoride
Publication Date: 9/93
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TRADE OR OTHER NAMES
Vikane
REGULATORY STATUS
All formulations of sulfuryl fluoride are Restricted Use Pesticides (RUP)
and must bear the signal word "Danger" on the product label, because it poses
an inhalation hazard (1, 4). RUPs may be purchased and used only by certified
applicators.
INTRODUCTION
Sulfuryl fluoride is a gas fumigant used in structures, vehicles and wood
products for control of drywood termites, wood-infesting beetles and certain
other insects (1, 5). There are no registered uses for sulfuryl fluoride on
food or feed crops (4).
TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ACUTE TOXICITY
Sulfuryl fluoride is a toxic gas which acts as a central nervous system
depressant (2). Symptoms of poisoning include depression, slowed gait,
slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drunkenness, itching,
numbness, twitching, and seizures (2, 6). Inhalation may be fatal due to
respiratory failure (1). Inhalation of high concentrations may cause
respiratory tract irritation (2). Individuals with a history of chronic
respiratory disease are at increased risk from exposure to sulfuryl fluoride
(2). Skin contact with sulfuryl fluoride normally poses no hazard, but
contact with liquid sulfuryl fluoride can cause pain and frostbite due to
rapid vaporization (2).
Sulfuryl fluoride gas is odorless, colorless, does not cause tears or
immediately noticeable eye irritation, and lacks any other property which
would serve to warn persons of its presence (4). Chloropicrin is added to
products containing sulfuryl fluoride to serve as a warning indicator.
Chloropicrin is a gas which causes eye and respiratory irritation and
vomiting.
The oral LD50 for sulfuryl fluoride in rats and guinea pigs is 100 mg/kg
(2). The 4-hour inhalation LC50 in rats is 991 ppm (2). The 1-hour LC50 in
mice is 1,200 ppm, and in rabbits is 5,000 ppm (b). Concentrations of 1,000
ppm are immediately threatening to life and health (2).
CHRONIC TOXICITY
Long term exposure to high levels of sulfuryl fluoride may cause blood
and bone effects (2). Repeated or prolonged exposure to sulfuryl fluoride may
cause injury to lungs and kidneys, weakness, weight loss, anemia, bone
brittleness, stiff joints, and general ill health (2). Long-term effects from
sulfuryl fluoride may be due to the formation of fluoride ions (3, 4).
Rats, rabbits, guinea pigs and female rhesus monkeys tolerated air
concentrations of 100 ppm (417 mg/m3) for 7 hours per day, 5 days a week
for 6 months with no apparent adverse effects (3).
Reproductive Effects
Two generations of rats were exposed to air concentrations of 0, 5, 20 or
150 ppm. No adverse effects on reproduction or fertility were seen at any
dose. Toxic effects on the mother were accompanied by reduced pup weight at
the 150 ppm exposure level (7).
Teratogenic Effects
There were no birth defects in the offspring of pregnant rabbits and rats
exposed to air concentrations of 255 ppm, the highest dose tested, during days
6-18 (rabbits) or days 6 through 15 (rats) of pregnancy for 6 hours/day. In
rabbits, both the fetuses and the mothers exhibited decreased weight gain at
255 ppm (4).
Mutagenic Effects
Several tests have shown that sulfuryl fluoride is not mutagenic. It
failed to produce unscheduled DNA synthesis in rat liver cells exposed to
concentrations between 204 and 1,020 ppm (8). Examination of bone marrow from
mice exposed to air concentrations of 50, 175 or 520 ppm sulfuryl fluoride for
4 hours showed no mutagenic effects (9). When sulfuryl fluoride was assayed
with the Ames test for mutagenic effects in bacterial cell cultures, the
results were negative (10).
Carcinogenic Effects
Tests for carcinogenicity are currently being conducted.
Organ Toxicity
No information was found.
Fate in Humans and Animals
No information was found.
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Effects on Birds
Sulfuryl fluoride is a gas under normal conditions. It dissipates
extremely rapidly after release into the environment. Exposure to birds is
expected to be only at very low concentrations and of short duration.
Effects on Aquatic Organisms
Because use of sulfuryl fluoride is permitted only indoors, compliance
with label directions will prevent exposure of aquatic organisms.
Effects on Other Animals (Nontarget species)
No information was found.
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Environmental effects from sulfuryl fluoride are expected to be
negligible because this fumigant is applied only indoors or in sealed
structures (4).
Breakdown of Chemical in Soil and Groundwater
Sulfuryl fluoride is a gas. It will not leach or contaminate
groundwater.
Breakdown of Chemical in Surface Water
Sulfuryl fluoride is not readily hydrolyzed by water (3). The products
of hydrolysis are sulfate and fluoride.
Breakdown of Chemical in the Atmosphere
Sulfuryl fluoride dissipates quickly in the atmosphere and is broken down
through hydrolysis and photodegradation.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND GUIDELINES
Sulfuryl fluoride is a colorless, odorless, compressed gas (1). It is
stable under normal temperatures and pressures, but containers may rupture in
the heat of a fire. Keep containers away from heat and flame and avoid
breathing the gas or contact of the gas with eyes, skin and clothing. Use
only where there is adequate ventilation (2). Thermal decomposition may
release toxic and corrosive fumes of hydrogen fluoride and oxides of sulfur
(2). Fire causes the product Vikane to break down to a very corrosive
substance (6).
Persons handling sulfuryl fluoride should not work alone (6).
Exposure Guidelines:
| OSHA TWA: | 5 ppm (21 mg/m3) (2) |
| OSHA STEL: | 10 ppm (42 mg/m3) (2) |
| ACGIH TWA: | 5 ppm (21 mg/m3) (2) |
| ACGIH TWA: | 10 ppm (42 mg/m3) (2) |
| NIOSH Recommended TWA: | 5 ppm (21 mg/m3) (2) |
| NIOSH Recommended STEL: | 10 ppm (42 mg/m3) (2) |
| TLV: | 5 ppm (1) |
| STEL: | 10 ppm (1) |
Physical Properties:
| CAS #: | 2699-79-8 |
| Chemical name: | sulfuryl fluoride |
| Chemical Class/Use: | inorganic fumigant |
| Specific gravity: | 1.8 at -80 degrees C (2) |
| Vapor density: | 3.72 g/l (2, 4); 3.95 lb/cu ft. |
| H20 solubility: | practically insoluble (1); 10% at 9{C (2); 0.75 g/kg at 25 degrees C (3) |
| Solubility in other solvents: | soluble in alcohol, toluene, carbon tetrachloride (2); low solubility in most organic solvents, miscible with methyl bromide (3). |
| Melting point: | -214 degrees F (-137 degrees C) (2) |
| Boiling point: | -67-68{F (-55{C) (2) |
| Vapor pressure: | 9150 mm Hg at 50 degrees F (10 degrees C) (1); > 760 mm Hg at 20 degrees C (2) |
BASIC MANUFACTURER
DowElanco
9002 Purdue Rd.
Indianapolis IN 46268-1189
Review by Basic Manufacturer:
Comments solicited: April, 1993
Comments received: April, 1993
REFERENCES
Meister, R.T. (ed.). 1992. Farm Chemicals Handbook '92. Meister
Publishing Company, Willoughby, OH.
Occupational Health Services, Inc. 1992 (Nov. 24). MSDS for
Sulfuryl Fluoride. OHS Inc., Secaucus, NJ.
Hayes, W.J. and E.R. Laws (eds.). 1990. Handbook of Pesticide
Toxicology, Classes of Pesticides, Vol. 3. Academic Press, Inc., NY.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. June 30, 1985. Pesticide Fact
Sheet Number 51: Sulfuryl Fluoride. US EPA, Office of Pesticide
Programs, Registration Div., Washington, DC.
British Crop Protection Council. 1983. The Pesticide Manual: A
World Compendium, 7th ed. Croydon, England.
California Dept. of Food and Agriculture. Sept. 15, 1979. HS-599:
Information on the Safe Handling of Pesticides Containing Sulfuryl
Fluoride (Vikane). Div. of Pest Management, Environmental Protection and
Worker Safety, California Dept. of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento, CA.
Breslin, W.J., et al. Sulfuryl Fluoride: Two generation inhalation
reproduction study in Sprague-Dawley rats, Summary. DowElanco,
Indianapolis, IN.
Gollapudi, B.B., et al. Oct. 7, 1991. Evaluation of sulfuryl
fluoride in the rat hepatocyte unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) assay,
Summary (Study ID TXT: K-016399-043). DowElanco, Indianapolis, IN.
Gollapudi, B.B., et al. Feb. 16, 1990. Evaluation of sulfuryl
fluoride in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test, Summary Study ID
TXT: K-016399-033). DowElanco, Indianapolis, IN.
Gollapudi, B.B., et al. Aug. 17, 1990. Evaluation of sulfuryl
fluoride in the Ames salmonella/mammalian-microsome bacterial
mutagenicity assay, Summary (Study ID TXT: K-016399-037). DowElanco,
Indianapolis, IN.
Disclaimer: Please read
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site is not a substitute for a pesticide label. Trade names used herein
are for convenience only; no endorsement of products is intended, nor is
criticism of unnamed products implied. Most of this information is historical
in nature and may no longer be applicable.
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