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TELLURIUM HEXAFLUORIDE

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
  • 7783-80-4   (TELLURIUM HEXAFLUORIDE)
DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • Poison Gas
  • Corrosive
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Tellurium hexafluorideexternal_link none
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Tellurium hexafluoride is a colorless gas with a repulsive odor. It is very toxic by inhalation and skin absorption. When heated to high temperatures, it may emit toxic fluoride and tellurium fumes. It is heavier than air. Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat the containers may violently rupture and rocket. It reacts with water to yield toxic vapors.

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
TELLURIUM HEXAFLUORIDE reacts with water to yield toxic hydrogen fluoride vapors. It emits very toxic fumes of fluoride and tellurium. Decomposes in water, acid, and alkali. [EPA, 1998].
Fire Hazard
Container may explode in heat of fire. When heated to decomposition, it emits very toxic fumes of fluoride and tellurium. Decomposes in water, acid, and alkali. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
Capable of causing death or permanent injury. Acute -- the material is highly toxic by inhalation exposure and a strong irritant to skin, eyes, the lungs, the throat, and stomach. Death can occur from filling of the lungs with fluid (pulmonary edema) or from asphyxiation due to spasm of the throat (larynx) or bronchi. Those with impaired pulmonary function, especially obstructive airway diseases are at a greater risk. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
TELLURIUM HEXAFLUORIDE is a colorless, toxic gas, when heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes containing metallic tellurium and tellurium fluorides [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 1207].
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 2195 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. 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.

This material is not combustible. Small fires: dry chemical or carbon dioxide. Large fires: water spray, fog or foam. (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 Tellurium hexafluorideexternal link:

Skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for personal protective equipment for the body.

Eyes: No recommendation is made specifying the need for eye protection.

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. (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Tellurium Hexafluoride Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to tellurium hexafluoride may include drowsiness, malaise, lassitude, weakness, and dizziness. A metallic taste, garlicky breath, and profuse sweating may be noted. Kidney damage, liver injury, and pulmonary effects such as pulmonary edema and bronchial spasms may also occur. Gastrointestinal effects may include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and constipation. Dermal exposure may result in dermatitis (red, inflamed skin).

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to tellurium hexafluoride 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 tellurium hexafluoride.
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 oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to tellurium hexafluoride.
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 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 THOROUGHLY with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to a health care facility.

Ingestion 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 oxygen or other respiratory support. Humidified oxygen is preferred.
2. IMMEDIATELY give the victims milk or water to dilute the hydrofluoric acid: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Milk or water should be given only if victims are conscious and alert.
3. DO NOT induce vomiting.
4. Milk of Magnesia should be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use
2.5 mL (1/2 tsp) for children up to 1 year old, 5 mL (1 tsp) for children 1 to 12 years old, and 10 mL (2 tsp) for adults. Do not exceed 15 mL (3 tsp or 1 tbsp).
5. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
6. Activated charcoal is of no value.
7. Repeat the administration of water or milk to conscious and alert victims. Use quantities listed above (see No. 2).
8. Transport 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:
  • F6Te
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: -35.7°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: Greater than 760 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 2.499 at 14°F (EPA, 1998) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: data unavailable
Boiling Point: 95.9°F at 760 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 241.61 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: Decomposes (NIOSH, 2023)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 1 ppm (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Final AEGLs for Tellurium hexafluoride (7783-80-4)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes NR 0.0097 ppm 0.029 ppm
30 minutes NR 0.0067 ppm 0.02 ppm
60 minutes NR 0.0053 ppm 0.016 ppm
4 hours NR 0.0033 ppm 0.01 ppm
8 hours NR 0.0017 ppm 0.005 ppm
NR = Not recommended due to insufficient data
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Tellurium hexafluoride (7783-80-4) 0.00048 ppm 0.0053 ppm 0.016 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
Tellurium hexafluoride 7783-80-4 100 pounds 100 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
Tellurium hexafluoride 7783-80-4 0.83 % 15 pounds WME

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Tellurium Hexafluoride 7783-80-4 250 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
  • HEXAFLUOROTELLURIUM
  • TELLURIUM FLUORIDE
  • TELLURIUM FLUORIDE (TEF6)
  • TELLURIUM FLUORIDE(TEF6)
  • TELLURIUM FLUORIDE(TEF6),(OC-6-11)-
  • TELLURIUM HEXAFLUORIDE

Version 3.0.0