# 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