BROMINE TRIFLUORIDE

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
0 4 3 W ox	Health	4	Can be lethal.
	Flammability	0	Will not burn under typical fire conditions.
	Instability	3	Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or explosive reaction but requires a strong initiating source or must be heated under confinement before initiation.
	Special	W OX	Reacts violently or explosively with water. Possesses oxidizing properties.

A colorless to yellow, fuming liquid with a pungent odor. Solidifies at 48°F. Very toxic by inhalation and corrosive to metals and tissue. Containers exposed to prolonged heat may violently rupture and rocket.

• Strong Oxidizing Agent
• Water-Reactive
• Air-Reactive

Fumes in air. Reacts with water with explosive force, oxygen being evolved [Handbook of Chemistry and Physics]. HBr gas might also be produced upon reaction with water.

Based on a scenario where the chemical is spilled into an excess of water (at least 5 fold excess of water), half of the maximum theoretical yield of Hydrogen Fluoride (hydrofluoric acid) gas will be created in 1.2 minutes. Experimental details are in the following: "Development of the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Distances for the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook", ANL/DIS-09-2, D.F. Brown, H.M. Hartmann, W.A. Freeman, and W.D. Haney, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, June 2009.

Behavior in Fire: Forms very toxic and irritating fumes. (USCG, 1999)

Inhalation causes severe irritation of upper respiratory system. Contact with liquid or vapor causes severe burns of eyes and can cause ulcers and blindness. Contact with skin causes severe burns. Ingestion causes severe burns of mucous membranes. (USCG, 1999)

BROMINE TRIFLUORIDE is a very reactive oxidizing agent. Reacts violently on contact with water to evolve oxygen. Accelerates the burning of combustible material. Mixing with the following hydrogen-containing substances is likely to cause a fire or explosion: acetic acid, ammonia, benzene, ethanol, 2-pentanone, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, methane, cork, grease paper , wax. Mixing with acids, halogens, ammonium halides, metal halides, metals, nonmetals, or metal oxides at ambient or slightly above ambient temperatures has resulted in violent reactions. Specifically, reacts dangerously with nitric acid, sulfuric acid, chlorine, iodine, ammonium chloride, potassium iodide, boron powder, selenium, tellurium, aluminum powder, bismuth, cobalt powder, iron powder, arsenic, nickel powder, chromium trioxide, charcoal, red phosphorus, sulfur dioxide, magnesium oxide.

• Oxidizing Agents, Strong
• Halogenating Agents

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

• Cellulose-Based Absorbents
• Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
• Expanded Polymeric Absorbents
• Dirt/Earth

Excerpt from 144 [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

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: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1746 datasheet.

FIRE: 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. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 144 [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, soda ash or lime.

LARGE FIRE: DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. 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. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 144 [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

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. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers.

SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain.

LARGE SPILL: DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2020)

Self-contained breathing apparatus; complete protective clothing; safety glasses; face shield. (USCG, 1999)

No information available.

Get immediate medical attention for all exposures.

INHALATION: remove from exposure; support respiration.

EYES: irrigate with copious amounts of water for at least 15 min.

SKIN: wash with large amounts of water for at least 15 min., then rinse with sodium bicarbonate or lime solution. (USCG, 1999)

• BROMINE TRIFLUORIDE