AMMONIUM FLUORIDE

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
0 3 0	Health	3	Can cause serious or permanent injury.
	Flammability	0	Will not burn under typical fire conditions.
	Instability	0	Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
	Special

Ammonium fluoride is a white crystalline solid. It is soluble in water. It is noncombustible. It is corrosive to aluminum. It is used in chemical analysis, in brewing, and as a preservative for wood.

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Dissolves in water and forms dilute solution of hydrofluoric acid. May corrode glass, cement, and most metals (USCG, 1999). Water soluble.

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic ammonia and hydrogen fluoride gases are formed in fires.

Behavior in Fire: May sublime when hot and condense on cool surfaces (USCG, 1999)

Inhalation of dust may cause irritation of respiratory system. Ingestion is harmful; readily soluble fluorides may be fatal if relatively small quantities are swallowed. Contact with eyes causes local irritation of the mucous membrane. Contact with skin may cause burns. High concs. of fluorine in the urine have been reported following skin contact. (USCG, 1999)

Ammonium fluoride reacts with water to form hydrofluoric acid, a source of fluoride ions. Unlike other halide ions, the fluoride ion is quite reactive, acting as a weak base and participating in some unique reactions. In particular, fluorides react strongly with compounds containing calcium, magnesium, or silicon ions, which means that solutions containing soluble fluorides are corrosive to both living tissue and glass. Hydrofluoric acid can cause severe chemical burns and is one of the few materials that can etch glass. It is also a toxic gas in its anhydrous form.

• Salts, Acidic
• Fluoride Salts, Soluble

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

• Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
• Sand
• Dirt/Earth

Excerpt from ERG Guide 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:

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.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank 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. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.

LARGE FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam or water spray. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices 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 in direct contact with flames. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. 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. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. (ERG, 2024)

Dust mask; goggles or face shield; rubber gloves (USCG, 1999)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Ammonium fluoride (40%)	12125-01-8	Liquid					>480		>480	>480	>480

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2024)

Begin first aid as quickly as possible.

INHALATION: remove to fresh air.

INGESTION: perform gastric lavage with limewater or 1% calcium chloride solution; support respiration; call a physician.

EYES: flush with water for 15 min.; consult physician.

SKIN: shower immediately with large quantities of water; remove all contaminated clothing in the shower at once; consult physician. (USCG, 1999)

• AMMONIUM FLUORIDE
• AMMONIUM FLUORIDE (FH4N)
• AMMONIUM FLUORIDE (NH4F)
• NEUTRAL AMMONIUM FLUORIDE