Sulfuryl Fluoride (Vikane)

Sulfuryl fluoride (CAS 002699-79-8), also known as Vikane, is an inorganic gas widely used as a fumigant. It was first developed by Dow Chemical to control drywood termites. The colorless, odorless, and easily condensed gas is known to be resistant to hydrolysis even up to 150. °C. Little or no data on the chemical's environmental and atmospheric loss processes are available. The toxicokinetics of its human poisoning have not been well described as well. Administration of the chemical via inhalation in rats and mice was found to have low to moderate toxicity. There were no tests reported for skin and eye irritation nor studies of skin sensitization conducted in humans, but fatalities were reported during the fumigation process or when sulfuryl fluoride was not dissipated to appropriate levels prior to reentry. No human development/reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity data were available for this chemical. The chemical was also found to be teratogenic in neither rats nor rabbits. The US Environmental Protection Agency has not classified the potential for this chemical to cause cancer. Exposure standards and guidelines from most institutions have been set to 5. ppm, and the use of proper respiratory masks is necessary for this chemical.