2-Fluoroethanol

TIH (Toxic Inhalation Hazard) - Term used to describe gases and volatile liquids that are toxic when inhaled. Some are TIH materials themselves, e.g., chlorine, and some release TIH gases when spilled in water, e.g., chlorosilanes. [ERG 2016].

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.

0.0064 [ppm]

0.070 [ppm]

6.9 [ppm]

For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit. (EPA, 1998)

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that ethylene fluorohydrin is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of ethylene fluorohydrin from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) based on the estimated Henry's Law constant of 7.1X10-6 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) using a fragment constant estimation method(3). The potential for volatilization of ethylene fluorohydrin from dry soil surfaces may exist(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 21.25 mm Hg(4).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that ethylene fluorohydrin is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment in water(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 1.4X10-6 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) 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 calculated to be 3 days and 33 days, respectively(SRC). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 3.2(SRC),from its log Kow of -0.67(6) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low.

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), ethylene fluorohydrin, which has a vapor pressure of 21.25 mm Hg at 25 °C(2) is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere(SRC). Vapor-phase ethylene fluorohydrin 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 7 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 2.2X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3).

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

In a nonfatally poisoned infant only mild emesis and sinus tachycardia preceded four brief episodes of seizure activity over a 12 hr period that began 20 hr after ingestion; recovery was uneventful thereafter. /Fluoroacetate/

An 18-month-old girl with repeated convulsions died in coma 96 hr after ingesting an estimated 23 mg/kg fluoroacetamide. /Fluoroacetate/

SYMPTOMATOLOGY: 1. Prompt epigastric distress and vomiting in one reported case. 2. Apprehension, auditory hallucinations, nystagmus, tingling sensation of nose, facial twitching, numbness of face. These and other central nervous effects appear gradually after a latency of several hours. 3. Central nervous excitation, progressing to epileptiform convulsions. 4. Severe central nervous depression between and subsequent to the convulsive episodes, but death is seldom due to respiratory failure in humans poisoned with fluoroacetate. 5. Disturbances in the mechanism of the heart beat usually appear only after the convulsive phase. 6. Pulse alternans, long sequences of ectopic beats (often multifocal), and ventricular tachycardia may disintegrate into ventricular fibrillation and death. /Fluoroacetate/

An estimated BCF of 3 was calculated for ethylene fluorohydrin using a measured log Kow of -0.67(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low.

The Henry's Law constant for ethylene fluorohydrin is estimated as 7.1X10-6 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) using a fragment constant estimation method(1). The value for the Henry's Law constant indicates that ethylene fluorohydrin is expected to volatilize from water surfaces(2). Based on the 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)(2) is estimated as 3 days(SRC). The volatilization half-life from a model lake (1 m deep, flowing 0.05 m/sec, wind velocity of 0.5 m/sec)(2) is estimated as 33 days(SRC). Ethylene fluorohydrin's estimated Henry's Law constant indicates that volatilization from moist soil surfaces may occur(SRC). The potential for volatilization of ethylene fluorohydrin from dry soil surfaces may exist(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 21.25 mm Hg(3).

... Pregnant Long-Evans rats were given ethylene fluorohydrin (0.06, 0.36, and 0.6 mg/kg ig) ... from day 6 to day 15 of gestation. ... An increase in sternebral ossification defects were present in all experimental groups. Hydronephrosis was evident in the two highest doses. The high dose group had significant incidences of runting (pup weight less than 2.7 g) and variant rib ossifications. Cardiac septal defects appeared in the hearts of pups of the 0.35 mg.kg group. Pups of dams given 0.6 mg/kg revealed the presence of extra vertebral ossification centers. In the high dose group alone, intrauterine growth retardation was evident based on decreased pup weight .... There were no significant changes in either dam or gestational weight gain observed. Overall, the percentage of implantations resulting in malformed or dead pups in response to oral administration ... increases significantly in a dose-related manner with increasing alcohol concentrations.

The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of ethylene fluorohydrin with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals has been estimated as 2.2X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC), calculated using a structure estimation method(1). This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 7 days at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(1). Ethylene fluorohydrin is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of hydrolyzable functional groups(2) nor to directly photolyze due to the lack of absorption in the environmental UV spectrum.

Ethylene fluorohydrin's production and use in areas other than the US as a rodenticide, insecticide, and acaricide will result in its direct release to the environment. It is not registered for use as a pesticide in the United States. If released to air, a vapor pressure of 21.25 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates ethylene fluorohydrin will exist solely in the vapor phase in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase ethylene fluorohydrin will be degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals; the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 7 days. If released to soil, ethylene fluorohydrin is expected to have very high mobility based upon an estimated Koc of 1.3. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 7.1X10-6 atm-cu m/mole. Ethylene fluorohydrin may volatilize from dry soil surfaces based upon its vapor pressure. If released into water, ethylene fluorohydrin is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment in water based upon the estimated Koc. Volatilization from water surfaces is expected to be an important fate process based upon this compound's estimated Henry's Law constant. Estimated volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 3 days and 33 days, respectively. An estimated BCF of 3.2 suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low. Hydrolysis is not expected to occur due to the lack of hydrolyzable functional groups. Occupational exposure to ethylene fluorohydrin may occur through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where ethylene fluorohydrin is produced or used. (SRC)

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. Anticipate seizures 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. Administer activated charcoal ... . /Monofluoroacetate and related compounds/

Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious or in respiratory arrest. Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias if necessary ... . Start an IV with D5W /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Use lactated Ringer's if signs of hypovolemia are present. Treat seizures with diazepam (Valium) ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Monofluoroacetate and related compounds/

Releases of CERCLA hazardous substances are subject to the release reporting requirement of CERCLA section 103, codified at 40 CFR part 302, in addition to the requirements of 40 CFR part 355. Ethylene fluorohydrin is an extremely hazardous substance (EHS) subject to reporting requirements when stored in amounts in excess of its threshold planning quantity (TPQ) of 10 lbs.