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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Administrative data

Description of key information

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Acute toxicity: via oral route

Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
no study available

Acute toxicity: via inhalation route

Link to relevant study records
Reference
Endpoint:
acute toxicity: inhalation
Type of information:
migrated information: read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
1963
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: Study done before GLP was established. Read across justification is given in section 13 assessment reports: WF6 justification for read across
Qualifier:
no guideline followed
Principles of method if other than guideline:
Acute inhalation toxicity in the rat.
Maximum exposure: 60 min.
GLP compliance:
no
Remarks:
done before GLP was established
Test type:
standard acute method
Limit test:
no
Species:
rat
Strain:
Wistar
Sex:
male
Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:
Weight: 100 - 120 g
Route of administration:
inhalation: vapour
Type of inhalation exposure:
whole body
Vehicle:
other: no vehicle
Details on inhalation exposure:
Volume of the exposure chamber/housing was 400 l with an air flow of 200 l/min. An expansion tank and a manometer were used.
Constant temperature at 20 degree Celsius.
Analytical verification of test atmosphere concentrations:
yes
Duration of exposure:
60 min
Remarks on duration:
5, 15, 30 and 60 min
Concentrations:
various
No. of animals per sex per dose:
20 male rats per group/concentration
Control animals:
yes
Details on study design:
Groups of rats were exposed to various concentrations of hydrogen fluoride vapour for either 5, 15, 30 or 60 minutes. Surviving rats were weighed daily and observed for 14 days after exposure. Clinical observations were made following exposure, body weights were recorded daily and mortalities recorded.
Statistics:
The LC50 values for each exposure time were calculated using the method of Bliss (1952).
Sex:
male
Dose descriptor:
LC50
Effect level:
4 970 ppm
Based on:
test mat.
95% CL:
4 584 - 5 388
Exp. duration:
5 min
Remarks on result:
other: slope: 11.8 std. dev. +/- 4.2
Sex:
male
Dose descriptor:
LC50
Effect level:
2 689 ppm
Based on:
test mat.
95% CL:
2 397 - 3 016
Exp. duration:
15 min
Remarks on result:
other: slope: 9.4 std. dev. +/- 2.1
Sex:
male
Dose descriptor:
LC50
Effect level:
2 042 ppm
Based on:
test mat.
95% CL:
1 901 - 2 192
Exp. duration:
30 min
Remarks on result:
other: slope: 14.0 std. dev. +/- 3.3
Sex:
male
Dose descriptor:
LC50
Effect level:
1 307 ppm
Based on:
test mat.
95% CL:
1 212 - 1 410
Exp. duration:
60 min
Remarks on result:
other: slope: 10.7 std. dev. +/- 3.8
Mortality:
Mortality occurred, but count of rats that passed away was not reported. Some deaths were reported to occur during the post-exposure observation period.
Clinical signs:
other: Conjunctival and nasal irritation as shown by reddened conjunctivae, pawing at the nose, marked lacrimation, nasal secretion and sneezing. These signs were not seen 1 week following exposure (in surviving animals). Respiratory distress and general weaknes
Body weight:
Body weight loss was observed in surviving animals. Compared to controls, surviving rats exhibited a 10-15% reduction in body weight during the first 3-7 days after exposure, after which weights returned to normal.
Gross pathology:
Lesions were found (differing quantitatively from that of controls) in the kidneys, liver, nasal passage, bone marrow and skin of exposed rats.

The LC50 values were 4970, 2690, 2040 and 1310 ppm for rats exposed to hydrogen fluoride vapour for 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes, respectively.

Interpretation of results:
very toxic
Remarks:
Migrated information Criteria used for interpretation of results: EU
Conclusions:
The LC50 values were 4970, 2690, 2040 and 1310 ppm for rats exposed to hydrogen fluoride vapour for 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes, respectively.
1310 ppm HF equals 218 ppm WF6 and 2700 mg/m³ of WF6 at 20 °C and 1,013 bar
Executive summary:

Male Wistar rats were exposed to lethal concentrations of hydrogen fluoride vapour, at various concentrations for either 5, 15, 30 or 60 minutes. The LC50 values were 4970, 2690, 2040 and 1310 ppm for rats exposed to hydrogen fluoride vapour for 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes, respectively. Exposure resulted in mortalities, although numbers and times of death are not reported. Lesions were observed in the kidneys, liver, nasal passages, bone marrow and skin. Exposure resulted in conjunctival and nasal irritation, respiratory distress and general weakness and body weight loss.

Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
adverse effect observed
Dose descriptor:
LC50
Value:
2 700 mg/m³ air
Quality of whole database:
This studay supported by other inhalation exposure studies and therefore considered as valid. HF has been examined by several laboratories over the last decades and published/well accepted LC50 values are in a very narrow range. The most conservative LC50 value was chosen.

Acute toxicity: via dermal route

Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
no study available

Additional information

Justification for selection of acute toxicity – oral endpoint
Study scientifically unjustified, substance is classified as highly corrosive.

Justification for selection of acute toxicity – inhalation endpoint
WF6 is rapidly hydrolizing into HF at ambient and physiological conditions. Reading accross to studies on HF, following judgedement is resulting:
The most conservative acute 60 minute inhalation toxicity value for HF was reported to be at 1310 ppm. 1310 ppm HF equals 218 ppm WF6 and 2700 mg/m³ of WF6 at 20 °C and 1,013 bar

Justification for classification or non-classification

According to the UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) Part 3 WF6 is considered to be acute toxic by inhalation: Category 2