FLUOROSILICATE ION

Editor's Note: This material is not listed in the Emergency Response Guidebook. Based on the material's physical and chemical properties, toxicity, or chemical group, a guide has been assigned. For additional technical information, contact one of the emergency response telephone numbers listed under Public Safety Measures.

MOLECULAR FORMULA

SiF6 F6Si

ERG GUIDE NUMBER

151-SUBSTANCES - TOXIC (NON-COMBUSTIBLE)

USES/FORMS/SOURCES

FORMS

FLUOROSILICATE ION (GENERAL), also called SILICOFLUORIDE, is a general category for the fluorosilicate compounds. Fluorosilicate compounds include the magnesium, diammonium, and disodium salts; barium and zinc salts can also occur (CHEMLINE).
At the time of this review, few toxicological data were found for the fluorosilicates, distinct from that of inorganic FLUORIDE . The ACGIH has stated that fluorosilicate ion is considered to be less toxic than expected for the equivalent amount of fluoride (ACGIH, 1986).
One form (hydrofluosilicic acid) occurs as gaseous HYDROGEN FLUORIDE, , while the other salts are particulates. The toxicology of the fluorosilicate compounds has been reviewed (NIOSH, 1975).
The ACGIH has established a Biological Exposure Index (BEI) for FLUORIDES. Refer to the BIOMONITORING section for more information.

-CLINICAL EFFECTS

GENERAL CLINICAL EFFECTS

POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS - EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK, GUIDE 151 (ERG, 2004)

Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through skin.
Avoid any skin contact.
Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed.
Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.

ACUTE CLINICAL EFFECTS

Fatal fluorosilicate overdoses have occurred (Krylova & Levchenkov, 1978). Symptoms of acute overdose resemble those of fluoride poisoning, with vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness, severe gastric pain, and cardiac and respiratory failure (Krylova & Levchenkov, 1978). Sodium fluorosilicate produced pulmonary irritation in guinea pigs and was fatal at an airborne concentration of 33 mg/m(3) when inhaled (Weber & Engelhardt, 1933).

CHRONIC CLINICAL EFFECTS

Repeated or chronic exposures have been reported to cause osteosclerosis, as with fluoride. Other effects of repeated exposure include pustular dermatitis (Dooms-Goossens, 1985) and hypercalcemia (Hlynczak, 1980).

-MEDICAL TREATMENT

LIFE SUPPORT

Support respiratory and cardiovascular function.

SUMMARY

FIRST AID - EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK, GUIDE 151 (ERG, 2004)

Move victim to fresh air.
Call 911 or emergency medical service.
Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing.
Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance;give artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device.
Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.
Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.
In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.
For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin.
Keep victim warm and quiet.
Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance may be delayed.
Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves.

FIRST AID

GENERAL -

The following treatment information is for Fluoride in general.
INHALATION EXPOSURE -

INHALATION: Move patient to fresh air. Monitor for respiratory distress. If cough or difficulty breathing develops, evaluate for respiratory tract irritation, bronchitis, or pneumonitis. Administer oxygen and assist ventilation as required. Treat bronchospasm with an inhaled beta2-adrenergic agonist. Consider systemic corticosteroids in patients with significant bronchospasm.

DERMAL EXPOSURE -

DECONTAMINATION: Remove contaminated clothing and jewelry and place them in plastic bags. Wash exposed areas with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes with gentle sponging to avoid skin breakdown. A physician may need to examine the area if irritation or pain persists (Burgess et al, 1999).

EYE EXPOSURE -

DECONTAMINATION: Remove contact lenses and irrigate exposed eyes with copious amounts of room temperature 0.9% saline or water for at least 15 minutes. If irritation, pain, swelling, lacrimation, or photophobia persist after 15 minutes of irrigation, the patient should be seen in a healthcare facility.

ORAL EXPOSURE -

Do NOT induce emesis.
DILUTION: If no respiratory compromise is present, administer milk or water as soon as possible after ingestion. Dilution may only be helpful if performed in the first seconds to minutes after ingestion. The ideal amount is unknown; no more than 8 ounces (240 mL) in adults and 4 ounces (120 mL) in children is recommended to minimize the risk of vomiting.
Consider nasogastric suction or lavage with a soft tube in significant ingestions when the patient presents within 90 minutes and has not spontaneously vomited.
Significant esophageal or gastrointestinal tract irritation or burns may occur following ingestion. The possible benefit of early removal of some ingested material by cautious gastric lavage must be weighed against potential complications of bleeding or perforation.
GASTRIC LAVAGE: Consider after ingestion of a potentially life-threatening amount of poison if it can be performed soon after ingestion (generally within 1 hour). Protect airway by placement in the head down left lateral decubitus position or by endotracheal intubation. Control any seizures first.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Loss of airway protective reflexes or decreased level of consciousness in unintubated patients; following ingestion of corrosives; hydrocarbons (high aspiration potential); patients at risk of hemorrhage or gastrointestinal perforation; and trivial or non-toxic ingestion.

Activated charcoal is unlikely to bind significant amounts of this compound.
Administer milk, calcium gluconate, or calcium lactate to bind the fluoride ion in the gastrointestinal tract.
Aluminum and/or magnesium based antacids should be administered.
Intravenous calcium (gluconate or chloride) and magnesium may be necessary to correct serum deficits of these divalent metals in serious overdosage.
Monitor ekg and vital signs

-RANGE OF TOXICITY

MINIMUM LETHAL EXPOSURE

SPECIFIC SUBSTANCE

The following minimum lethal exposure information is for FLUORIDE -

Death has been reported following ingestion of 200 mg (16 mg/kg) of fluoride in a 3-year-old male (Eichler et al, 1982).
Thirty-two to 64 milligrams/kilogram of fluoride is considered certain to be fatal if untreated (Heifetz & Horowitz, 1986).

MAXIMUM TOLERATED EXPOSURE

SPECIFIC SUBSTANCE

The following maximum tolerated exposure information is for FLUORIDE -

The estimated toxic dose is 5 to 10 mg/kg of fluoride (11 to 22 mg/kg of sodium fluoride) (Spoerke et al, 1980).
Gastrointestinal symptoms have been noted following ingestion of 3 to 5 mg/kg of fluoride (6.6 to 11 mg/kg of sodium fluoride) (Spoerke et al, 1980).
Though some radiological evidence of fluoride effects on bone can be detected at intakes of 5 to 8 ppm fluoride, these are said not to be clinically significant (Heifetz & Horowitz, 1986).
Pathological skeletal fluorosis requires intakes of 10 to 25 milligrams F-/day for 10 to 20 years (Heifetz & Horowitz, 1986).
As the fluoride supplementation is removed, the symptoms, except for mottling, will disappear (Grandjean & Thomsen, 1983).

DENTAL ENAMEL FLUOROSIS -

It has been estimated, based on studies in rats, that single ingestions of 3 grams of a 0.1% fluoride-containing dentifrice may produce fluoride levels capable of causing tooth mottling. This amount is 2 to 3 times greater than that used for normal tooth- brushing. Dental fluorosis is a potential concern in very small children who brush several times a day with these products, and who do not expectorate (Trautner & Einwag, 1988).
Enamel fluorosis was reported in a 12-year-old girl who received daily tooth-brushing from the age of 5 months with a fluoridated product. Mottling was evident at 6 years of age (Stephen, 1984).
Teeth are only susceptible to dental fluorosis during the period of mineralization, until about 5 to 6 years of age (Heifetz & Horowitz, 1986).

Nausea alone was associated with ingestion of 47 to 94 mg in contaminated drinking water (Vogt et al, 1982).
Vomiting was associated with ingestion of 94 to 188 mg in drinking water in individuals aged 9 to 70 years (Vogt et al, 1982).
Augenstein et al (1987) reported a review of 87 cases of accidental fluoride ingestion in children. The majority of these cases (84/87) involved ingestion of dental fluoride products (rinses, tablets, drops) containing sodium fluoride.

One child who ingested an unknown amount of sodium fluoride rodenticide died.
Twenty-six children (30 percent) became symptomatic with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Abdominal pain occurred in 25 children and drowsiness in one.
The amount ingested ranged from less than 1 milligram per kilogram to 8.4 milligrams per kilogram, with the percentage of children developing symptoms correlated with the dose (8 percent with less than one milligram per kilogram; 100 percent with 4 to 8.4 milligrams per kilogram).

A 43-year-old male developed heme-positive emesis and diarrhea within 45 minutes of ingesting up to 25 ounces of SUPERDENT(R) topical fluoride gel. The total dose was estimated at 115 mg/kg fluoride. Severe hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia, and ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation developed approximately 3 hours post-ingestion. While most known cases of overexposure to fluoride-containing household products have produced few or no symptoms, this case illustrates the potential for serious effects from fluoride-containing products intended for professional use (Fisher et al, 1991).

TOXICITY AND RISK ASSESSMENT VALUES

TOXICITY VALUES

References: RTECS, 1992
- LDLo- (ORAL)HUMAN:

-STANDARDS AND LABELS

SHIPPING REGULATIONS

SURFACE

DOT -- Table of Hazardous Materials and Special Provisions (49 CFR 172.101, 2005):

Not Listed

ICAO International Shipping Name (ICAO, 2002):

Not Listed

-PERSONAL PROTECTION

SUMMARY

RECOMMENDED PROTECTIVE CLOTHING - EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK, GUIDE 151 (ERG, 2004)

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection.
Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations where direct contact with the substance is possible.

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

Refer to "Recommendations for respirator selection" in the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards on TOMES Plus(R) for respirator information.

-PHYSICAL HAZARDS

FIRE HAZARD

SUMMARY

Editor's Note: This material is not listed in the Emergency Response Guidebook. Based on the material's physical and chemical properties, toxicity, or chemical group, a guide has been assigned. For additional technical information, contact one of the emergency response telephone numbers listed under Public Safety Measures.
POTENTIAL FIRE OR EXPLOSION HAZARDS - EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK, GUIDE 151 (ERG, 2004)
- Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes.
- Containers may explode when heated.
- Runoff may pollute waterways.

FIRE CONTROL/EXTINGUISHING AGENTS

SMALL FIRE PRECAUTIONS - EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK, GUIDE 151 (ERG, 2004)
- Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.
LARGE FIRE PRECAUTIONS - EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK, GUIDE 151 (ERG, 2004)
- Water spray, fog or regular foam.
- Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk.
- Dike fire control water for later disposal; do not scatter the material.
- Use water spray or fog; do not use straight streams.
TANK OR CAR/TRAILER LOAD FIRE PRECAUTIONS - EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK, GUIDE 151 (ERG, 2004)
- Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles.
- Do not get water inside containers.
- Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out.
- Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.
- ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.
- For massive fire, use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn.

COMBUSTION TOXICITY

No information on the combustion toxicity of fluorosilicates was found in available references at the time of this review.

REACTIVITY HAZARD

No information on the reactivity hazard of fluorosilicates was found in available references at the time of this review.

EVACUATION PROCEDURES

SUMMARY

Editor's Note: This material is not listed in the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
SPILL - PUBLIC SAFETY EVACUATION DISTANCES - EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK, GUIDE 151 (ERG, 2004)
- Increase, in the downwind direction, as necessary, the isolation distance of at least 25 to 50 meters (80 to 160 feet) in all directions.
FIRE - PUBLIC SAFETY EVACUATION DISTANCES - EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK, GUIDE 151 (ERG, 2004)
- If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.
PUBLIC SAFETY MEASURES - EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK, GUIDE 151 (ERG, 2004)
- CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number on Shipping Paper first. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number:
- For additional details see the section entitled "WHO TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE" under the ERG Instructions.
- As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind.
- Keep out of low areas.

CONTAINMENT/WASTE TREATMENT OPTIONS

SUMMARY

SPILL OR LEAK PRECAUTIONS - EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK, GUIDE 151 (ERG, 2004)
- Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing.
- Stop leak if you can do it without risk.
- Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.
- Cover with plastic sheet to prevent spreading.
- Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers.
- DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS.
RECOMMENDED PROTECTIVE CLOTHING - EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK, GUIDE 151 (ERG, 2004)
- Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
- Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection.
- Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations where direct contact with the substance is possible.
No information on disposal guidelines for fluorosilicates was found in available references at the time of this review.

-ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD MANAGEMENT

POLLUTION HAZARD

No information on the pollution hazard of fluorosilicates was found in available references at the time of this review.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE AND KINETICS

OTHER

OTHER
- No information on the environmental kinetics of fluorosilicates was found in available references at the time of this review.

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICITY

No information on the environmental toxicity of fluorosilicates was found in available references at the time of this review.

-PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

MOLECULAR WEIGHT

142.09 (RTECS , 1992)

DESCRIPTION/PHYSICAL STATE

generally, fluorosilicates are solids

-REFERENCES

GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY

49 CFR 172.101: Department of Transportation - Table of Hazardous Materials. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the Government Printing Office (GPO), Washington, DC. Final rules current as of Aug 11, 2005.

Burgess JL, Kirk M, Borron SW, et al: Emergency department hazardous materials protocol for contaminated patients. Ann Emerg Med 1999; 34(2):205-212.

Danilov VB: Med Zh Uzb 1975; 4:31-32.

Dooms-Goossens A: Contact Dermatitis 1985; 12:42-47.

ERG: Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of a Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials Incident, U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Special Programs Administration, Washington, DC, 2004.

Eichler HG, Lenz K, & Fuhrmann M: Accidental ingestion of NaF tablets by children. Report of a poison control center and one case. Internat J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1982; 20:334-338.

Erickson J: J Am Dent Assoc 1976; 93:981-984.

Fisher K, Picciotti M, & Henretig F: Fluoride (Fl) toxicity from a topical dental care product (TDCP) (Abstract). Vet Human Toxicol 1991; 33:365.

Gabovich RD: Gig Sanit 1972; 36:270-272.

Grandjean P & Thomsen G: Reversibility of skeletal fluorosis. Br J Ind Med 1983; 40:456-461.

Heifetz SB & Horowitz HS: The amounts of fluoride in self-administered dental products: safety considerations for children. Pediatr 1986; 77:876-882.

Hlynczak AJ: Med Pr 1980; 31:345-349.

Hodge HC & Macgregor JT: Adv Perinat Med 1982; 2:1-46.

Hodge HC & Smith FA: J Occup Med 1977; 19:12.

ICAO: Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, 2003-2004. International Civil Aviation Organization, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 2002.

Knox EG: Community Med (Bristol) 1980; 2:190-194.

Kobec GP: Gig Sanit 1972; 37:113-114.

Krylova AN & Levchenkov BD: Sud-Med Ekspert 1978; 21:33-36.

NIOSH: Criteria for a Recommended Standard--Occupational Exposure to Inorganic Fluorides. DHEW (NIOSH) Pub No 76-103, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, 1975.

NTP: Draft Report on Carcinogenicity of Fluoride, National Toxicology Program, US Department of Human Health Services, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 1989.

RTECS : Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Cincinnati, OH (Internet Version). Edition expires 1992; provided by Truven Health Analytics Inc., Greenwood Village, CO.

Spoerke DG, Bennet DL, & Gullekson DJK: Toxicity related to acute low dose sodium fluoride ingestion. J Family Prac 1980; 1:139-140.

Stephen KW: Children and swallowed toothpaste (Letter). Br Dental J 1984; 156:274.

Trautner K & Einwag J: Human plasma fluoride levels following intake of dentifrices containing aminefluoride or monofluorophosphate. Arch Oral Biol 1988; 33:543-546.

Vogt RL, Witherell L, & LaRue D: Acute fluoride poisoning associated with an on-site fluoridator in a Vermont elementary school. Am J Public Health 1982; 72:1168-1169.

Weber HH & Engelhardt WE: Zentr Gewergehyg Unfallverhut 1933; 10:41.

Ziborov NA: Vyul Uses In-Ta Gel-Mentol 1982; 32:33-36.

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FLUOROSILICATE ION

Classification | Information to evaluate chemical incidents

Information to evaluate chemical incidents

Information to evaluate chemical incidents

Information to evaluate chemical incidents