Iron fluoride (FeF3)

Biological Exposure Indices (BEI) [ACGIH] - Fluorides in urine = 2 mg/L prior to shift or 3 mg/L at end of shift; (Repeated measurements recommended.)

1.0 [mg/m3], inhalable fraction, as F[German Research Foundation (DFG)]

Environmental considerations: Water spill: Neutralize with agricultural lime (CaO), crushed limestone (CaCO3) or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Add soda ash (Na2CO3). Adjust pH to neutral (pH= 7). use mechanical dredges or lifts to remove immobilized masses of pollutants and precipitates.

Environmental considerations: Land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon. holding area to contain liquid or solid material. Cover solids with a plastic sheet to prevent dissolving in rain or fire fighting water.

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

The following wastewater treatment technologies have been investigated for iron (Fe+2): Concentration process: Biological treatment. /Iron (Fe+2)/

If material not involved in fire: Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Build dikes to contain flow as necessary.

Personnel protection: Keep upwind. ... Avoid breathing vapors or dusts. Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water.

SRP: Local exhaust ventilation should be applied wherever there is an incidence of point source emissions or dispersion of regulated contaminants in the work area. Ventilation control of the contaminant as close to its point of generation is both the most economical and safest method to minimize personnel exposure to airborne contaminants.

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.

All ... /iron/ preparations should be kept in child-proof bottles. /Iron preparations/

2.5 [mg/m3], as F (1 mg/m3, as Fe [sol. iron salts])

8 hr Time Weighted Avg (TWA): 2.5 mg/cu m. /Fluorides, as F/

Excursion Limit Recommendation: Excursions in worker exposure levels may exceed 3 times the TLV-TWA for no more than a total of 30 minutes during a work day, and under no circumstances should they exceed 5 times the TLV-TWA, provided that the TLV-TWA is not exceeded. /Fluorides, as F/

Biological Exposure Index (BEI): Determinant: fluorides in urine; Sampling Time: prior to shift; BEI: 3 mg/g creatinine. Determinant: fluorides in urine; Sampling Time: end of shift; BEI: 10 mg/g creatinine. The determinant may be present in biological specimens collected from subjects who have not been occupationally exposed, at a concentration which could affect interpretation of the result. Such background concentrations are incorporated in the BEI value. The determinant is nonspecific, since it is also observed after exposure to other chemicals. /Fluorides/

A4: Not classifiable as a human carcinogen. /Fluorides, as F/

For more Threshold Limit Values (TLV) (Complete) data for FERRIC FLUORIDE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

6.1 [mg/m3]

22 [mg/m3]

130 [mg/m3]

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Inhalation: Inorganic fluorides are generally irritating. Ingestion: Ingestion of iron compounds can cause lethargy, retching, vomiting, tarry stools, fast and weak pulse, low blood pressure and coma. /Inorganic fluorides/

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Skin and eye contact may produce severe irritation and burns. Inhalation of dust may cause coughing, choking, and respiratory difficulty. At fire temperatures may produce coughing, choking, headache, tearing, dizziness, difficult respiration, and cyanosis.

Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway. Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if necessary. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with normal saline during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 ml/kg up to 200 ml of water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool. /Iron and related compounds/

Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious. Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias if necessary ... . Start an IV with lactated Ringer's /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Watch for signs of fluid overload. For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Iron and related compounds/

Maintain an open airway and assist ventilation if necessary. Treat shock caused by hemorrhagic gastrointestinitis aggressively with intravenous crystalloid fluids, and replace blood if needed. Patients are often markedly hypovolemic owing to gastrointestinal losses and third spacing of fluids into the intestinal wall and interstitial space. Treat coma, seizures, and metabolic acidosis if they occur. For seriously intoxicated victims (eg, shock, severe acidosis, and/or serum iron > 500-600 mcg/dL) administer deferoxamine. Monitor the urine for the urine for the characteristic orange or pink deferoxamine-iron complex. Therapy may be stopped when the urine returns to normal or when the serum iron level decreases to the normal range. Prolonged deferoxamine has been associated with adult respiratory distress syndrome and Yersinia sepsis.

Activated charcoal is not effective. Ipecac is not recommended, because it can aggravate iron-induced gastrointestinal irritation and interfere with whole bowel irrigation. Consider gastric lavage if product was a liquid formulation or tablets were chewed. Do-not use phosphate-containing solutions for lavage; these may result in life-threatening hypernatremia, hyperphosphatemia, and hypocalcemia. Bicarbonate and deferoxamine lavage are of doubtful efficacy. Deferoxamine lavage is not effective and may enhance iron absorption. Whole-bowel irrigation is very effective for ingested tablets and may be considered first-line treatment, especially if large numbers of tablets are visible on plain abdominal x-ray. Massive ingestions may lead to concretions or bezoars. Repeated or prolonged whole-bowel irrigation may remove tablets. Endoscopy or surgical gastrotomy is rarely required.

Hemodialysis and hemoperfusion are not effective for removing iron but may be necessary to remove iron-deferoxamine complex in patients with renal failure. Exchange transfusion is occasionally used for massive pediatric ingestions but is of questionable efficacy.

Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than its reportable quantity of 100 lb or 45.4 kg. The toll free number of the NRC is (800) 424-8802; In the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (202) 426-2675. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b).

Ferric fluoride is designated as a hazardous substance under section 311(b)(2)(A) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and further regulated by the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977 and 1978. These regulations apply to discharges of this substance. This designation includes any isomers and hydrates, as well as any solutions and mixtures containing this substance.