Iodoform

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

(General first aid procedures)

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: Should a spill occur while you are handling this chemical, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION, then you should dampen the solid spill material with 60-70% ethanol and transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with 60-70% ethanol to pick up any remaining material. Seal the absorbent paper, and any of your clothes, which may be contaminated, in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent wash all contaminated surfaces with 60-70% ethanol followed by washing with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

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.

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.

The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed or replaced.

Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises.

0.001 [ppm], as elemental iodine, inhalable fraction and vapor

8 hr Time Weighted Avg (TWA): 0.6 ppm.

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.

0.001 ppm (inhalable fraction and vapor) [2021]

0.6 ppm (10 mg/m³)

TWA 0.6 ppm (10 mg/m3)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Iodoform:

Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

LC50 Pimephales promelas (fathead minnows) 2.92 mg/l/96 hr, flow-through bioassay @ 25.1 °C, pH 7.7, water hardness 44.2 mg/l CaCO3 /Purity 98%/

EC50 Pimephales promelas (fathead minnows) 2.01 mg/l/96 hr, flow-through bioassay @ 25.1 °C, pH 7.7, water hardness 44.2 ml/l CaCO3 /Purity 98%/. /EC50 was based upon loss of equlibrium as manifested by the fish's inability to maintain an upright position when swimming./

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 35(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that iodoform is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of iodoform from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 3.1X10-5 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(3). Iodoform is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 0.040 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(4). Data on the biodegradability of iodoform in soil is not available(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 35(SRC), determined from an estimation method(2), indicates that iodoform 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 3.1X10-5 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(4). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(3), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 40 hours and 25 days, respectively(SRC). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 43(SRC), from an estimated log Kow of 3.03(6) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low. Data on the biodegradability of iodoform in water is not available(SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), iodoform, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 0.396 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase iodoform is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 56 days(SRC), from its rate constant of 0.289X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3) determined using a structure estimation method(3). Iodoform absorbs radiation >290 nm(4) and therefore may be susceptible to direct photolysis(SRC). Photolysis rates for iodoform were not located.

The following link will take the user to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Test Agent Search Results page, which tabulates all of the "Standard Toxicology & Carcinogenesis Studies", "Developmental Studies", and "Genetic Toxicity Studies" performed with this chemical. Clicking on the "Testing Status" link will take the user to the status (i.e., in review, in progress, in preparation, on test, completed, etc.) and results of all the studies that the NTP has done on this chemical. [http://ntp-apps.niehs.nih.gov/ntp_tox/index.cfm?fuseaction=ntpsearch.searchresults&searchterm=75-47-8]

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc for iodoform can be estimated to be 35(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that iodoform is expected to have very high mobility in soil.

SYSTEMIC INTOXICATION AND VISUAL DISTURBANCES RESULTED FROM ABSORPTION OF EXCESSIVE AMT /OF IODOFORM/ APPLIED TO WOUNDS OR ABSCESSES, OR FROM INGESTION OF LARGE QUANTITIES, BUT NOT FROM APPLICATION TO THE EYE. ... MOST CHARACTERISTICALLY VISION WAS IMPAIRED BY RETROBULBAR NEURITIS WITH ACCOMPANYING CENTRAL SCOTOMA. IN RARE INSTANCES TRANSITORY COMPLETE BLINDNESS OCCURRED. IN SOME CASES THE BULBAR PORTION OF THE OPTIC NERVE WAS INVOLVED, WITH NEURORETINITIS & OCCASIONAL RETINAL HEMORRHAGES. AS A RULE, RECOVERY WAS SLOW ... IN MOST CASES VISION WAS COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY RECOVERED, BUT RESIDUAL PALLOR OF THE TEMPORAL PART OF THE OPTIC NERVEHEAD WAS COMMON. EXCEPTIONALLY THE WHOLE NERVEHEAD BECAME ATROPHIC AND WHITE AND LITTLE VISION WAS RECOVERED.

Both di- and tri-halogenated methane derivatives have been found to produce increased blood levels of methemoglobin; the greatest increase caused by iodo-, followed by bromo- and chloro- compounds. CNS functional disturbances are reported, including depression of rapid eyemovement sleep, as seen in carbon monoxide exposures. /Di- and tri-halogenated methane derivatives/

POISONING IS OFTEN DUE TO ABSORPTION THROUGH WOUND WHEN IODOFORM DRESSINGS ARE USED (NO MORE THAN 2 G IODOFORM SHOULD BE SO USED). MAY CAUSE DERMATITIS. SYSTEMIC EFFECTS INCL VOMITING & ALL DEGREES OF CEREBRAL DEPRESSION OR EXCITATION, INCL DELIRIUM, HALLUCINATIONS, COMA, & DEATH. VERY RAPID PULSE IS CHARACTERISTIC, WITH OR WITHOUT SLIGHT FEVER.

... Severe poisoning, which may be fatal, is characterized by headache, somnolence, delirium, and rapid feeble pulse.

Iodoform's production and use as an antiseptic and sensitizing agent in certain printing processes may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams(1,2). However its present use is rather limited. Iodoform may be formed in finished drinking water during the chlorination process(3). When iodinated trihalomethanes occur, a medicinal taste or musty odor is imparted to the water. While there are only a few reports of iodoform in treated drinking water in the literature, strong medicinal odors have long been known to occur in such water.

Iodoform

TR-110: Bioassay of Iodoform for Possible Carcinogenicity (CASRN 75-47-8) (1978 )

04/26/78

No Evidence

No Evidence

No Evidence

An estimated BCF of 43 was calculated for iodoform(SRC), using an estimated log Kow of 3.03(1,SRC) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low.

Used as a disinfectant and veterinary antiseptic; [Merck Index, #5033]

Using Disinfectants or Biocides [Category: Clean]

Iodoform is used as a component of adhesives and as a polymerization control agent

Wound dressing and sensitizing agent in certain printing processes.

MEDICATION

MEDICATION: VET

(1977) PROBABLY GREATER THAN 3.18X10+6 G

(1979) PROBABLY GREATER THAN 3.18X10+6 G

Prepn from acetone, sodium hypochlorite, potassium iodide, and sodium hydroxide: Glass, Quart. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 8, 351 (1935); from chloroform + methyl iodide: Soroos, Hinkamp, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 67, 1642 (1945); by electrolysis: Glasstone, Ind. Chem. 7, 315 (1931)

Electrolysis of an iodide solution in dilute alcohol or acetone.

GRADE: TECHNICAL, NF

Purified grades

BIPP gauze: sterile ribbon gauze impregnated with a sterile paste consisting of iodoform 40%, bismuth subnitrate 20%, and liquid paraffin 40%.

Bismuth subnitrate & iodoform paste: bismuth subnitrate 1, iodoform 2, sterilized liquid paraffin 1, by wt, prepared aseptically.

For more Formulations/Preparations (Complete) data for IODOFORM (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.