Fluorine

Exposure related observations in humans: other data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

exposure-related observations in humans: other data

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Investigative published human volunteer study

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Toxicity of fluorine short-term inhalation

Author:

Keplinger ML and Suissa LW

Year:

1968

Bibliographic source:

Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 29:10-18

Materials and methods

Type of study / information:

Human volunteer study.

Endpoint addressed:

respiratory irritation

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline available

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Assessment of biochemical and cellular measures of respiratory irritation in human volunteers following a single inhalation exposure to Fluorine gas.

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Fluorine

EC Number:

231-954-8

EC Name:

Fluorine

Cas Number:

7782-41-4

Molecular formula:

F2

IUPAC Name:

fluorine

Test material form:

gas

Details on test material:

No further information.

Method

Ethical approval:

not specified

Details on study design:

Five volunteers (19-50 years of age; gender not specified) were exposed to fluorine through a face mask that covered the eyes and nose but not the mouth.

Exposure assessment:

measured

Details on exposure:

Inhalation: 10-100 ppm for various exposure durations.

Results and discussion

Results:

10 ppm for 15 min: no eye, nose or respiratory irritation
25 ppm for 5 min: eye irritation
50 ppm for 3 min: irritating to eyes, slightly irritating to nose
67 ppm for 1 min: irritating to eyes and nose
100 ppm for 1 min: very irritating to eyes and nose; subjects did not inhale. The skin of the face was very slightly irritated and felt 'sticky'

Any other information on results incl. tables

When exposure to fluorine was repeated at weekly intervals, the subjects did not notice as much irritation as they did on the first exposure. A few repeated intermittent exposures at a concentration of 10 ppm were made. Exposure for three to five minutes every 15 minutes over a two- or three-hour period caused slight irritation to the eyes and skin, but no other subjective effects.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Executive summary:

Five volunteers (19–50 years of age; gender not specified) were exposed to fluorine through a face mask that covered the eyes and nose but not the mouth. A concentration of 10 ppm was not irritating to the respiratory tract for at least 15 minutes. Slight nasal irritation was reported following a 3-minute exposure to 50 ppm, and exposure to 100 ppm for 0.5 or 1 minute was very irritating to the nose and eyes. Intermittent inhalation (3–5-minute exposure every 15 minutes for 2–3 hours) of 10 ppm caused slight irritation to the eyes and skin but did not cause respiratory difficulty.