The Toxicity of Pyrolysis Products from a Chlorotrifluoroethylene - Ethylene Copolymer (Halar Resin)
Abstract
Thermal decomposition of a one-to-one alternating copolymer of chlorotrifluoroethylene and ethylene (poly CTFE-E), produced commercially as Halar, begins at 350 C and is complete at 600 C. The principal gaseous products formed by pyrolysis of poly CTFE-E at 600 C in air are identified as hydrogen fluoride, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride and formaldehyde. Acute toxic inhalation studies using experimental rats are conducted on the pyrolysis products formed at 550 C in air. A correlation of exposed animal fatalities can be made only with the hydrogen fluoride concentration in the exposure chamber. The LC50 for hydrogen fluoride is determined to be about 42.5 ppm for a single two-hour exposure. The toxic effects on the exposed animals are characterized by primary irritation of the respiratory tract and pulmonary edema and hemorrhage.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0751436
Entities
People
- A. B. Robertson
- Charles V. Cooper
- Donald E. Richards
- Lester D. Scheel
- Louis Vignati
- Richard E. Kupel
- William P. Tolos
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory