From:
Sara J <saanjohn87**At_Symbol_Here**GMAIL.COM>
Subject:
Re: [DCHAS-L] Tetrabutylammonium Fluoride-Nasty, but Not Nasty Like HF?
Date:
Mar 30, 2021 17:42 UTC
Reply-To:
ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
In-Reply-To:
Re: [DCHAS-L] Tetrabutylammonium Fluoride-Nasty, but Not Nasty Like HF?
Afternoon,
The problem with SDS sheets is that there are a lot of variables that go into them and they are not highly regulated. A company's published SDS sheet is based on the software they use to author them, the available database, and any outside testing the company has done on their product. Product testing done by the company does not have to be shared and isn't always required by TSCA. So if there are two companies that sell the product and one has toxicological data and the other doesn't they may have different SDSs. I would look at section 11 in the SDS to see if there is published data on the SDS. If there is not PubChem is a good source for published tox data or REACH requires more data for registered chemicals, so look at ECHA's site. Based on the brief research I did TBAF has a LD50 Dermal of >2000 mg/kg, in comparison HF has an LD50 of <50mg/kg (making it fatal). This is most likely why you are not seeing the HF type warning.
On the other hand calgonate gel is not hazardous to the skin and it may work to neutralize any burns that would be caused by skin exposure to the chemical. So having it on hand may not be the worst idea.
Have a great day,
Sara Johnson, PhD, NRCC-CHO
Chemical Hygiene Manager
UNC Chapel Hill Environment, Health & Safety/Risk
Management
FYI: I used to author SDSs for a small chemical company, so I have gotten really good at reading and interpreting them.
Good morning,
You might want to compare SDS sheets with Chemwatch SDS. The SDS from Chemwatch says to treat skin contact with calcium gluconate gel. That's a red flag that we need to have
calcium gluconate gel handy and signs posted warning people of the hazard. I am new to safety but I feel that this method is helping me catch things like this.
Which safety data sheet should we trust?
Best,
Jerry Franco
TTU Chemistry DSO
