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U.S. Department of Energy
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Evaluation of possible biological effects from exposure to gaseous SF{sub 6} breakdown products

Conference ·
OSTI ID:138692
A variety of chemical byproducts including SOF{sub 2}, SO{sub 2}F{sub 2}, SF{sub 4}, HF, SO{sub 2}, etc. are produced at varying concentrations by electrical arcs, sparks or corona discharge in SF{sub 6}; most of the byproducts are toxic to some degree. Using a cell culture system, we have studied the toxicity of individual byproduct gases, as well as electrically decomposed SF{sub 6}. The toxic potency of various byproducts can be compared, using this cellular assay. The animal toxicological data for these gases, although sparse, is also reviewed. The rationale for selection of various byproduct gases as monitors for evaluating the hazard potential of decomposed SF{sub 6} is discussed.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville, TN (United States); Empire State Electric Energy Research Corp., New York, NY (United States); National Inst. of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (United States); Ontario Hydro, Toronto, ON (Canada)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
138692
Report Number(s):
CONF-9308105--1; ON: DE93013210; CRN: C/ORNL--90-0002
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English