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Study of the lethal effect of the inhalation of gaseous fluorine (F/sub 2/) at concentrations from 100 ppM to 10,000 ppM

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5483041

The lethal effect arising from the inhalation of air containing relatively high concentrations of fluorine was studied in 4 animal species. Eight rabbits, 20 guinea pigs, 45 to 50 rats, and 45 to 50 mice were exposed each to concentrations of fluorine approximating 100, 200, 500, 1000, and 10,000 ppM, respectively. The duration of exposure ranged from 7 hours at 100 ppM to 5 minutes at 10,000 ppM. At a concentration of 10,000 ppM all animals died during the 5-minute exposure period, with the exception of one rabbit, which died within 24 hours after exposure. All animals exposed at 1000 and 500 ppM were dead within 6 days after exposure. All animals exposed at 200 ppM, with the exception of 2 guinea pigs, were dead within 14 days after exposure. The 7-hour exposure at 100 ppM resulted in the death of 7 of 8 rabbits, 27 of 50 rats, and 43 of 45 mice within 14 days after exposure. No deaths occurred among the guinea pigs exposed at this level. All surviving animals were sacrificed during the 3rd post-exposure week. Death in all cases was apparently caused by respiratory failure resulting from acute pulmonary damage. The animals which survived a 2-week post-exposure period either escaped this damage or were able to withstand its effects until resolution had occurred. Damage to internal organs other than the lung was minor or negligible.

Research Organization:
Rochester Univ., NY (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76EV03490
OSTI ID:
5483041
Report Number(s):
DOE/EV/03490-T3; ON: DE85010190
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English