1,2-Dibromtetrafluorethan

If material involved in fire: Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty). Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. /Refrigerants NEC, gas or liquid, nonflammable (refrigerant, gas, NOS or dispersant gas, NOS/

Sufficient exhaust and general ventilation should be provided to keep vapor concentration below recommended levels. /Fluorocarbons/

Inhalation of fluorocarbon vapors should be avoided. /Fluorocarbons/

Forced air ventilation at the level of vapor concentration together with the use of individual breathing devices with independent air supply will minimize the risk of inhalation. Lifelines should be worn when entering tanks or other confined spaces. /Fluorocarbons/

Enclosure of process materials and isolation of reaction vessels and proper design and operation of filling heads for packaging and shipping /are administrative controls that may be instituted to limit occupational exposure to fluorocarbons during manufacture, packaging, and use/. /Fluorocarbons/

For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for 1,2-DIBROMOTETRAFLUOROETHANE (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Many of the fluorocarbons are good solvents of skin oil, so protective ointment should be used. /Fluorocarbons/

Neoprene gloves, protective clothing, and eye protection minimize risk of topical contact. Degreasing effect on skin can be treated with lanolin ointment. /Fluorocarbons/

Forced air ventilation at level of vapor concentration together with use of individual breathing devices with independent air supply will minimize risk of inhalation. Lifelines should be worn when entering tanks or other confined spaces. /Fluorocarbons/

If inhalation occurs, epinephrine or other sympathomimetic amines and adrenergic activators should not be admin since they will further sensitize heart to development of arrhythmias. /fluorocarbons/

Inhalation by mice of dibromotetrafluoroethane (0.63-1.0%) for 5 hr daily for 3 or 4 days reduced hexobarbital (120 mg/kg) sleeping time and zoxazolamine (100 mg/kg) paralysis time 2 fold. Hepatic microsomal hexobarbital oxidase and zoxazolamide hydroxylase activities were increased but DFK 525-A in the assay inhibited the increase in hepatic microsomal hexobarbital oxidase.

The combination of cyanide, hydrobromic acid and freon-114B2 in air due to pyrolytic degradation of freon used in fire extinguishers may have a toxic effect on humans exposed to fumes. The combination of freon-114B2 (inhaled) and cyanide, administered ip as sodium cyanide, had an additive toxic effect on mice. Freon-114B2, a narcotic, inhibited tissue respiration at the flavoprotein and cytochrome stage; the cyanide affected the oxidoreductase and, in part, the cytochrome/oxidase systems. A combination of sodium cyanide and hydrobromic acid administered ip to rats had an antagonistic effect. Hydrobromic acid, a nonspecific irritant, acted as a stress factor and induced body resistance to the combined effect. LD84 (LD for 84% of subjects), LD50 and LD16 (LD for 16% of subjects) values for sodium cyanide and hydrobromic acid were also determined.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 220(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane is expected to have moderate mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 37 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), calculated from a vapor pressure of 325 mm Hg at 25 °C(3) and a water solubility of 3.00 mg/L at 25 °C(4). 1,2-Dibromotetrafluoroethane is expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon its vapor pressure(3). Biodegradation data for 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane were not available, but since it is fully halogenated, biodegradation is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC, 2005).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 220, determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 37 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), calculated from a vapor pressure of 325 mm Hg(4) and the water solubility(5). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(3), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 1.6 hours and 6.4 days, respectively(SRC). According to a classification scheme(6), an estimated BCF of 340(SRC), from its water solubility(5) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high(SRC). Biodegradation data for 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane were not available, but since it is fully halogenated, biodegradation is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC, 2005).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane, which has a vapor pressure of 325 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane is not expected to be degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC) based on an estimated half-life of over 300 years for this reaction in air(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 1.30X10-16 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3). 1,2-Dibromotetrafluoroethane does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm and therefore is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight in the troposphere(SRC). However, as this substance rises into the stratosphere, it is expected to be broken down by shorter wavelength UV radiation(4). As a result, bromide radicals will be released into the stratosphere where they can contribute to the destruction of atmospheric ozone(4-6).

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc of 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane can be estimated to be 220(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane is expected to have moderate mobility in soil.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Excessive skin contact with liquid fluorocarbons should be minimized to prevent defatting of skin ... /Fluorocarbons/

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Early ... human experience indicated that high vapor concn (eg, 20%) may cause confusion, pulmonary irritation, tremors and rarely coma, but that these effects were generally transient and without late sequelae. ... Cause of death /from abuse of fluorocarbons/ is in considerable doubt. Freezing of airway soft tissues can probably be eliminated as a cause of death except in cases where the product was sprayed directly into the mouth from its container or from a balloon containing some liquid. Laryngeal spasm or edema, oxygen displacement, or sensitization of myocardium to endogenous catecholamines with subsequent ventricular fibrillation appear to be reasonable possibilities. /fluorocarbon refrigerants and propellants/

/EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDIES/ In a cross-sectional study the neurological effects of fluorocarbons were evaluated in 27 refrigeration repair workers. Fourteen age matched reference subjects were selected from a local union of plumbers, pipe-fitters, and insulation workers. A case of peripheral neuropathy in a commercial refrigeration repairman prompted the investigation. Personal air samples from 2 worker-participants over the course of a typical workshift showed 1.4 ppm chlorodifluoromethane and 2.2 ppm chloropenta-fluoroethane. There were no cases of peripheral neuropathy in the study subjects. There was no significant difference in mean nerve conduction velocities (ulnar, median, peroneal, sural, tibial) between study and reference subjects. Lightheadedness and palpitations were reported significantly more often by refrigeration repair workers (p<0.05). /Fluorocarbons/

/CASE REPORTS/ There are isolated reports of poisoning from exposure to fluorocarbon propellants and some studies showing a higher incidence of coronary heart disease among hospital personnel and refrigerant mechanics exposed to fluorocarbons. /Fluorocarbons/

For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for 1,2-DIBROMOTETRAFLUOROETHANE (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

1,2-Dibromotetrafluoroethane's production and use as a refrigerant and control fluid(1) may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC). Its use as a fire-extinguishing agent(1) may result in its direct release to the environment(SRC). However, in accordance with the the Montreal Protocol of 1987, production and consumption of this substance was to be phased out in developed nations in 1994, and is scheduled to be phased out in non-developed nations by 2010(2,3).

An estimated BCF of 340 was calculated for 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane(SRC), using a water solubility of 3.00 mg/L(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high(SRC), provided the compound is not metabolized by the organism(SRC).

The Henry's Law constant for 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane is estimated as 37 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) derived from its vapor pressure, 325 mm Hg(1), and water solubility, 3.00 mg/L(2). This Henry's Law constant indicates that 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane is expected to volatilize rapidly from water surfaces(3). Based on this Henry's Law constant, the volatilization half-life from a model river (1 m deep, flowing 1 m/sec, wind velocity of 3 m/sec)(3) is estimated as 1.5 hours(SRC). The volatilization half-life from a model lake (1 m deep, flowing 0.05 m/sec, wind velocity of 0.5 m/sec)(3) is estimated as 6.4 days(SRC). 1,2-Dibromotetrafluoroethane's estimated Henry's Law constant indicates that volatilization from moist soil surfaces may occur(SRC). The potential for volatilization of 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane from dry soil surfaces may exist based upon the vapor pressure(1).

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Early animal ... work indicated that high vapor concentration (e.g., 20%) may cause confusion, pulmonary irritation, tremors and rarely coma, but that these effects were generally transient and without late sequelae. /fluorocarbon refrigerants and propellants/

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Exposure of mice to atmosphere containing 0.25-5% Halon 2402 for 5 hr/day for 3 days significantly incr hexobarbital sleeping time and zoxazolamine paralysis time at concn of >1.0%. Halon 2402 increased hexobarbital oxidase and zoxazolamine hydroxylase activity at concn of 1%. Pharmacological effects of Halon 2402 exposure were convulsions at 2-3%, /SRP: CNS depression/ at 4-5%, and death at 5-6%.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ The effects of serum aspartate aminotransferase, liver triglycerides, and double-bond shifting in liver microsomal lipids after administration of halo alkanes, eg carbon tetrachloride, orally, ip, or by inhalation were observed with or without preliminary administration or phenobarbital (5, 5, and 8 mg/100 g, ip, at 0, 6, and 24 hr, respectively, 2 days before poisoning or 2-propanol (4.2 mmoles/100 g orally, 18 hr before poisoning). The lethality of the halo alkanes and their interaction with barbiturates depended on the dose and method of administration.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ Exposure of rats to Freon-114B2 at 2009.4 mg/cu m for 2 mo decr the activity of cerebral lactate dehydrogenase isozyme1 and incr the activity of lactate dehydrogenase isozyme5. Similar. but less significant changes occured in brain of rats chronically exposed to 1085.2 mg Freon-114B2/cu m + 1.1 mg hydrogen fluoride/cu m. The observed changes in isozyme ratio may indicate disruption of carbohydrate metabolism during prolonged Freon action.

For more Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for 1,2-DIBROMOTETRAFLUOROETHANE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

In persons with impaired pulmonary function, especially those with obstructive airway diseases, the breathing of Refrigerant 114 might cause exacerbation of symptoms due to its irritant properties. ... In persons with impaired cardiovascular function, especially those with history of cardiac arrhythmias, the inhalation of Refrigerant 114 might cause exacerbation of disorders of the conduction mechanism due to sensitizing effects on the myocardium. /Freon 114/

It is possible that pt with cardiac or resp disorders may prove esp susceptible. /fluorocarbons/

The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals is 1.30X10-16 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(1). This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of greater than 300 years at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(2). 1,2-Dibromotetrafluoroethane does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm and therefore is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight in the troposphere(SRC). However, as this substance rises into the stratosphere, it is expected to be broken down by shorter wavelength UV radiation(3). As a result, bromide radicals will be released into the stratosphere where they can contribute to the destruction of atmospheric ozone(3-5). 1,2-Dibromotetrafluoroethane is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions(6).

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 54,597 workers are potentially exposed to 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane in the USA(1). Occupational exposure to 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane may occur through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane is produced or used. However, occupational exposure is not expected in developed nations such as the United States where production and consumption of this chemical has been phased out in accordance with the Montreal Protocol(SRC).

... IN THE MANUFACTURE, USE, SERVICING, & DISPOSAL OF REFRIGERATION UNITS, FOOD PROCESSING, SOLVENT APPLICATIONS, PLASTIC FOAM BLOWING, & FIRE EXTINGUISHING. /FLUOROCARBONS/