NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

Boron trifluoride CAS 7637-07-2
BF3 RTECS ED2275000
Synonyms & Trade Names
Boron fluoride, Trifluoroborane
DOT ID & Guide
1008 125
Exposure
Limits
NIOSH REL: C 1 ppm (3 mg/m3)
OSHA PEL: C 1 ppm (3 mg/m3)
IDLH 25 ppm Conversion 1 ppm = 2.77 mg/m3
Physical Description
Colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. [Note: Forms dense white fumes in moist air. Shipped as a nonliquefied compressed gas.]
MW: 67.8
BP: -148°F
FRZ: -196°F
Sol: 106% (in cold H2O)
VP: >50 atm
IP: 15.50 eV
RGasD: 2.38

Fl.P: NA
UEL: NA
LEL: NA

Nonflammable Gas
Incompatibilities & Reactivities
Alkali metals, calcium oxide [Note: Hydrolyzes in moist air or hot water to form boric acid, hydrogen fluoride & fluoboric acid.]
Measurement Methods
None available
Personal Protection & Sanitation
Skin: No recommendation
Eyes: No recommendation
Wash skin: No recommendation
Remove: No recommendation
Change: No recommendation

First Aid (See procedures)
Eye: Irrigate immediately
Skin: Water flush immediately
Breathing: Respiratory support

Respirator Recommendations NIOSH/OSHA
Up to 10 ppm: (APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator*
Up to 25 ppm: (APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode*/(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece/(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece
Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions: (APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode/(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus
Escape: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Routes inhalation, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Irritation eyes, skin, nose, respiratory system; epistaxis (nosebleed); eye, skin burns; in animals: pneumonitis; kidney damage
Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system, kidneys
See also: INTRODUCTION