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Safety and Health Topics: |
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| Tetrahydrofuran |
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General Description
Synonyms: Diethylene oxide; Tetramethylene oxide; THF
OSHA IMIS Code Number: 2390
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 109-99-9
NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: LU5950000
Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 2056 127
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Tetrahydrofuran: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 200 ppm, 590 mg/m3 TWA
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 200 ppm, 590 mg/m3 TWA
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 200 ppm, 590 mg/m3 TWA
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 200 ppm, 590 mg/m3 TWA; 250 ppm, 737 mg/m3 STEL; BEI
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 200 ppm, 590 mg/m3 TWA; 250 ppm, 735 mg/m3 STEL
Health Factors
NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 2,000 ppm [LEL]
Potential symptoms: Eye, upper respiratory irritation; cough, sore throat; nausea; dizziness; headache, CNS depression, unconsciousness; dermatitis (from repeated or prolonged contact).
Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin-Moderate (HE15) Narcosis (HE8); Mutagen (HE2)
Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, CNS, liver
Notes: 1) The IDLH is 10% of the lower explosive limit (2%). 2) Anesthesia occurs at 25,000 ppm. 3) Metabolized in part to gamma-hydroxy butyrate, a CNS depressant (Schedule III when used in the anti-cataplexy drug, Xyrem, with schedule I penalties if used as a "date-rape" drug). THF is not controlled. 4) Occupational exposure in confined space has been reported to cause elevation of liver enzymes (hepatotoxicity). 5) Rodent carcinogenicity studies found clear evidence of liver cancer in female mice and some evidence of kidney cancer in male rats. 6) The FDA-recommended limit of THF exposure as a residual solvent in pharmaceuticals is 7.2 mg/day, with a concentration limit of 720 ppm.
Date Last Revised: 03/16/2004
Literature Basis:
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Tetrahydrofuran.
- International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Tetrahydrofuran.
- Cartigny, B., et al.: 1H NMR spectroscopic investigation of serum and urine in a case of acute tetrahydrofuran poisoning. J. Anal. Toxicol. 25(4): 270-274, 2001.
- Chhabra R.S., Herbert, R.A., Roycroft, J.H., Chou, B., Miller, R.A. and Renne, R.A.: Carcinogenesis studies of tetrahydrofuran vapors in rats and mice. Toxicol. Sci. 41(2): 183-188, 1998.
- Food and Drug Administration: International Conference on Harmonization: final recommendations on the revision of the permitted daily exposures for two solvents, n-methylpyrrolidone and tetrahydrofuran, according to the maintenance procedures for the guidance Q3C Impurities: Residual Solvents; Availability. Notice. Fed. Regist. 68(219): 64352-64353, 2003.
- Garnier, R., Rosenberg, N., Puissant, J.M., Chauvet, J.P. and Efthymiou, M.L.: Tetrahydrofuran poisoning after occupational exposure. Br. J. Ind. Med. 46(9): 677-678, 1989.
- Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Tetrahydrofuran. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 2178-2180.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
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sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
alternative solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide/Dimethylformamide
maximum volume: 9 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min (TWA)
maximum volume: 3 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min (STEL)
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: NIOSH Analytical Method (NIOSH 1609)
method classification: Partially Validated
On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: AUER/MSA
model/type: Ethanol-100, MSA P/N 804136, AUER P/N 5086-818
sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
upper measurement limit: 980 ppm
detection limit: approximately 15 ppm
overall uncertainty: unknown
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Gastec
model/type: 159
sampling information: 1 or 2 strokes
upper measurement limit: 800 ppm
detection limit: 2 ppm
overall uncertainty: 25% for 50 to 200 ppm, 16% for 200 to 800 ppm
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Gastec
model/type: 161
sampling information: 1 stroke
upper measurement limit: 1.4%
detection limit: approximately 0.03%
overall uncertainty: 16%
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
model/type: 8014-102SA
sampling information: 0.5 or 1 stroke
upper measurement limit: 5%
detection limit: approximately 0.01%
overall uncertainty: unknown
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
model/type: 8014-162U
sampling information: 1 stroke
upper measurement limit: 400 ppm
detection limit: approximately 5 ppm
overall uncertainty: unknown
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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