Common Name: Antimony Pentafluoride CAS Number: 7783-70-2 DOT Number: UN 1732 Date: August 1, 1987 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Antimony Pentafluoride can affect you when breathed and passes through skin. * Exposure can cause sore throat, rash, poor appetite and irritate the air passages, with cough. Higher levels can cause fluid to build up in the lungs, or irregular heart beat. This can cause death. * Antimony Pentafluoride is a CORROSIVE and contact can burn the skin or eyes. Eye damage can result. * High or repeated exposure may damage the liver or the heart muscle. * If used near acid, a deadly gas (Stibine) is released. IDENTIFICATION Antimony Pentafluoride is an oily, colorless liquid. It is used as a catalyst in chemical reactions or as a source of Fluorine in fluorination reactions. REASON FOR CITATION * Antimony Pentafluoride is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH and NFPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is CORROSIVE. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910. 20. * If you think you are experiencing any work related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. ----------------------------------------- WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS These exposure limits are recommended for Antimony and compounds as Stibine. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 10 hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift. * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limits listed above. These exposure limits are recommended for Fluorides measured as F. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 2.5 mg/m3 for Fluorides averaged over an 8 hour workshift. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 2.5 mg/m3 for Fluorides, inorganic averaged over a 10 hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 2.5 mg/m3 for Fluorides averaged over an 8 hour workshift. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Antimony Pentafluoride and at the end of the workshift. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Antimony Pentafluoride to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Antimony Pentafluoride: * Exposure can cause sore throat and irritate the air passages, with cough. Nausea and metallic taste may occur. Higher levels can cause fluid to form in the lungs (pulmonary edema), and may also make the heart beat irregularly or stop. This can cause death. * Contact can burn the skin or eyes, with loss of vision. Rash may occur. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Antimony Pentafluoride and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Antimony Pentafluoride has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Antimony Pentafluoride has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * Repeated exposure can cause headaches, poor appetite, sore throat, and loss of sleep. Damage to the liver or to the heart muscle may also occur, especially with frequent or higher exposures. * Very irritating substances may affect the lungs. It is not known whether Antimony Pentafluoride causes lung damage. MEDICAL Medical Testing For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or greater, or significant skin contact), the following are recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that: * Urine test for Antimony. * Lung function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * EKG. * Liver function tests. * Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. Mixed Exposures * Use of Antimony Pentafluoride near acid can release a deadly gas, Stibine. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following controls are recommended: * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Antimony Pentafluoride from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: Antimony #78-216. * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: Inorganic Fluorides # 76-103. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Antimony Pentafluoride should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Antimony Pentafluoride. * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work area for emergency use. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Antimony Pentafluoride, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Antimony Pentafluoride is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Antimony Pentafluoride. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/ manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/ clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day and put on before work. Eye Protection * Wear splash-proof chemical goggles and face shield when working with liquid Antimony Pentafluoride, unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. Respiratory Protection * IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 0.5 mg/m3, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode, or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode. * Exposure to 80 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 80 mg/m3 exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. Common Name: Antimony Pentafluoride DOT Number: UN 1732 DOT Emergency Guide code: 59 CAS Number: 7783-70-2 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 0 REACTIVITY 1 ---------------------------------------- DOES NOT BURN CORROSIVE POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Extinguish fire using an agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. Antimony Pentafluoride itself does not burn. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Chlorine. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Antimony Pentafluoride is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. * Ventilate the area of spill or leak. * Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Antimony Pentafluoride as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Antimony Pentafluoride you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Antimony Pentafluoride must be stored to avoid contact with PHOSPHORUS, PHOSPHATES and COMBUSTIBLE OR ORGANIC MATERIALS since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area away from WATER or MOISTURE and HEAT. FIRST AID Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water. Continue without stopping for at least 30 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of water. Seek medical attention. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. * Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. Medical observation for 1 or 2 days is recommended after exposure, as lung effects may be delayed. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Reacts with water OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Antimony Fluoride (SbF5) Other Names and Formulations: Antimony (V) Fluoride; Pentafluoriantimony. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 (609) 984-2202 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Antimony is an element which occurs naturally in the environment as a component of certain minerals. As antimony oxide, it is added to various materials as a flame retardant. Antimony may occur in the aquatic environment from natural weathering of mineral formations, from mining and manufacturing effluents, and from municipal wastes. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Antimony has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the short-term effects of antimony to plants, birds, or land animals. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Antimony has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the long-term effects of antimony to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Antimony and its salts have solubilities in water ranging from low to high. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Antimony is highly persistent in water with a half-life of longer than 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. The concentration of antimony found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of antimony in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.