NIOSH Publication No. 2005-151:

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

September 2005

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 See: 7637072
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
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Personal Protection & Sanitation
(See protection)
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
Important additional information about respirator selection
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   See ICSC CARD: 0231   See MEDICAL TESTS: 0027