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SULFUR TETRAFLUORIDE

2.3 - Poisonous gas 8 - Corrosive
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The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number
  • 7783-60-0   (SULFUR TETRAFLUORIDE)
DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • Poison Gas
  • Corrosive
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Sulfur tetrafluorideexternal_link
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Sulfur tetrafluoride is a colorless gas with a distinct sulfur odor. It is highly toxic by inhalation and a strong irritant to skin, eyes and mucous membranes. It reacts vigorously with water and acids to yield toxic fluoride and sulfur oxide fumes and an acidic solution. Sulfur tetrafluoride is heavier than air. Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat the containers may violently rupture or rocket. It is used as a fluoridizing agent and as an oil repellent.

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
  • Water-Reactive
Air & Water Reactions
Violent reaction with water. It reacts vigorously with water and acids to yield toxic fluoride and sulfur oxide fumes, including fumes of hydrofluoric acid and sulfuric acid, and an acidic solution.
Fire Hazard
Container may explode in heat of fire. When heated to decomposition, it emits very toxic fumes of fluorides and sulfur oxides. Reacts violently with water. It is decomposed by concentrated sulfuric acid. Thermostable to 1112F. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
This material is highly toxic by inhalation; it is a strong irritant to eyes and mucous membranes. Poisonous; may be fatal if inhaled. Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes. Contact with liquid may cause frostbite. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
SULFUR TETRAFLUORIDE is a highly toxic and corrosive gas. On contact with water, steam, or mineral acids it decomposes and produces toxic and highly irritating fumes. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fluoride and sulfur oxides fumes [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 1197]. Explosively violent reactions with 2-(hydroxymethyl)furan or 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol even below -50°C have been recorded [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 1432]. Ignition or explosion may occur on contact with dioxygen difluoride even below -100°C [Streng, A. G., Chem. Rev., 1963, 63, p. 615].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below. More info about absorbents, including situations to watch out for...

  • Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
  • Sand
  • Dirt/Earth

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 125 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 2418 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Keep unnecessary people away; isolate hazard area and deny entry. Stay upwind; keep out of low areas. Ventilate closed spaces before entering them. Wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and full protective clothing. Evacuate area endangered by gas.

This material is non-combustible. Small fires: dry chemical or carbon dioxide. Large fires: water spray, fog or foam. Do not get water inside container. Move container from fire area if you can do so without risk. Stay away from ends of tanks. Spray cooling water on containers that are exposed to flames until well after fire is out. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 125 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive]:

Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Sulfur tetrafluorideexternal link:

Skin: FROSTBITE - Compressed gases may create low temperatures when they expand rapidly. Leaks and uses that allow rapid expansion may cause a frostbite hazard. Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent the skin from becoming frozen.

Eyes: FROSTBITE - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact with the liquid that could result in burns or tissue damage from frostbite.

Wash skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for washing the substance from the skin (either immediately or at the end of the work shift).

Remove: No recommendation is made specifying the need for removing clothing that becomes wet or contaminated.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.

Provide: FROSTBITE WASH - Quick drench facilities and/or eyewash fountains should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is any possibility of exposure to liquids that are extremely cold or rapidly evaporating. (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Warning: Sulfur tetrafluoride is a highly irritating and corrosive gas.

Signs and Symptoms of Sulfur Tetrafluoride Exposure: Acute exposure to sulfur tetrafluoride may result in skin burns, eye and respiratory tract irritation, and pulmonary edema. Overexposure by any route can cause bloody stools, slow pulse rate, low blood pressure, coma, convulsions, and cardiac arrest.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to sulfur tetrafluoride may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to sulfur tetrafluoride.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Rush to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to sulfur tetrafluoride.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas extremely thoroughly with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Rush to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:

Note: Ingestion of sulfur tetrafluoride gas is not expected to be a significant route of exposure.
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. DO NOT induce vomiting or attempt to neutralize.
3. Give the victims water or milk: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 ox or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Water or milk should be given only if victims are conscious and alert.
4. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for performance of other invasive procedures.
5. Rush to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • F4S
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: -191°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 10.5 atm at 70°F (NIOSH, 2023)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 3.78 (NIOSH, 2023) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.95 at -108°F (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: -40°F at 760 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 108.06 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: Reacts with water (NIOSH, 2023)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 12.63 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Sulfur tetrafluoride (7783-60-0) 0.0091 ppm 0.1 ppm 0.82 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Sulfur fluoride (SF4), (T-4)- 7783-60-0 100 pounds 100 pounds 2500 pounds
Sulfur tetrafluoride 7783-60-0 100 pounds 100 pounds 2500 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Sulfur tetrafluoride; [Sulfur fluoride (SF4), (T-4)-] 7783-60-0 1.00 % 2500 pounds toxic 1.33 % 15 pounds WME

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Sulfur Tetrafluoride 7783-60-0 250 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
  • SULFUR FLUORIDE (SF4)
  • SULFUR FLUORIDE (SF4), (T-4)-
  • SULFUR FLUORIDE(SF4),(T-4)-
  • SULFUR TETRAFLUORIDE
  • SULPHUR TETRAFLUORIDE
  • TETRAFLUOROSULFURANE

Version 3.0.0