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Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) Value Profile

Chlorine Trifluoride

[CAS® No. 7790-91-2]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

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ii IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 

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Suggested Citation

NIOSH [2020]. Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) value profile: chlorine trifluoride, CAS® No. 7790-91-2. By Niemeier RT. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2020-124.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2020124

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2020-124

July 2020
IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride iii

Foreword

Chemicals are a ubiquitous component of the modern workplace. Occupational exposures 

to chemicals have the potential to adversely affect the health and lives of workers. Acute or 

short-term exposures to high concentrations of some airborne chemicals can quickly overwhelm workers, resulting in a spectrum of undesirable health outcomes that may inhibit the 

ability to escape from the exposure environment (e.g., irritation of the eyes and respiratory 

tract or cognitive impairment), cause severe irreversible effects (e.g., damage to the respiratory tract or reproductive toxicity), and in extreme cases, cause death. Airborne concentrations of chemicals capable of causing such adverse health effects or of impeding escape from 

high-risk conditions may arise from a variety of non-routine workplace situations, including 

special work procedures (e.g., in confined spaces), industrial accidents (e.g., chemical spills or 

explosions), and chemical releases into the community (e.g., during transportation incidents 

or other uncontrolled-release scenarios). 

The immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) air concentration values developed by 

the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) characterize these highrisk exposure concentrations and conditions [NIOSH 2013]. IDLH values are based on a 

30-minute exposure duration and have served as a key component of the decision logic for 

the selection of respiratory protection devices [NIOSH 2004]. 

Occupational health professionals have employed these values beyond their initial purpose 

as a component of the NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic to assist in developing risk management plans for non-routine work practices governing operations in high-risk environments 

(e.g., confined spaces) and the development of emergency preparedness plans. 

The approach used to derive IDLH values for high priority chemicals is outlined in the NIOSH 

Current Intelligence Bulletin (CIB) 66: Derivation of Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health 

(IDLH) Values [NIOSH 2013]. CIB 66 provides (1) an update on the scientific basis and risk 

assessment methodology used to derive IDLH values, (2) the rationale and derivation process 

for IDLH values, and (3) a demonstration of the derivation of scientifically credible IDLH 

values using available data resources.

This technical report presents the IDLH value for chlorine trifluoride (CAS® No. 7790-91-2). 

The scientific basis, toxicologic data, and risk assessment approach used to derive the IDLH 

value are summarized to ensure transparency and scientific credibility. 

John Howard, M.D.

Director

National Institute for Occupational

 Safety and Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride v

Contents

Foreword ...................................................... iii

Abbreviations ................................................... vi

Glossary ....................................................... viii

Acknowledgments ............................................... xii

1 Introduction .................................................. 1

1.1 Overview of the IDLH Value for Chlorine Trifluoride ................ 1

1.2 Purpose ................................................... 1

1.3 Literature Search Strategy and Data Evaluation ..................... 1

1.4 General Substance Information ................................. 1

2 Human Data .................................................. 4

3 Animal Toxicity Data ........................................... 4

4 Summary ..................................................... 10

5 References .................................................... 11

Appendix A—Literature Search Strategy and Data Evaluation .............. 13
vi IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 

Abbreviations

ACGIH® American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists

Acute RfC Acute reference concentration 

AEGLs Acute Exposure Guideline Levels

AIHA® American Industrial Hygiene Association 

BMC benchmark concentration 

BMD benchmark dose

BMCL benchmark concentration lower confidence limit

BMR Benchmark response 

°C degrees Celsius

CAS® Chemical Abstracts Service, a division of the American Chemical Society

CIB Current Intelligence Bulletin

ClF3

 Chlorine trifluoride

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

ERPGTM Emergency Response Planning Guidelines 

ET50 Effective time to 50% mortality 

ECt50 median effect vapor concentration

°F degrees Fahrenheit

HF Hydrogen fluoride

HSDB Hazardous Substance Data Bank

IDLH immediately dangerous to life or health

LC lethal concentration

LC50 median lethal concentration

 LC01 lethal concentration 1% 

LCLO lowest concentration that caused death in humans or animals

LEL lower explosive limit

 LDLO lowest dose that caused death in humans or animals

LOAEL lowest observed adverse effect level 

mg/m3

 milligram(s) per cubic meter

min minutes

mmHg millimeter(s) of mercury

MSHA Mine Safety and Health Administration

NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

NLM National Library of Medicine

NOAEL no observed adverse effect level 

NRC National Research Council

OEL occupational exposure limit

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

PEL permissible exposure limit 
IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride vii

POD point of departure

ppm parts per million 

REL recommended exposure limit 

RD50 concentration of a chemical in the air estimated to cause a 50% decrease in 

 the respiratory rate

STEL short-term exposure limit 

TERA Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment

TLV® Threshold Limit Value 

TWA time-weighted average 

UEL upper explosive limit

UF uncertainty factor

WEEL® Workplace Environmental Exposure Level
viii IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 

Glossary

Acute exposure: Exposure by the oral, dermal, or inhalation route for 24 hours or less. 

Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs): Threshold exposure limits for the general public, 

applicable to emergency exposure periods ranging from 10 minutes to 8 hours. AEGL-1, 

AEGL 2, and AEGL-3 are developed for five exposure periods (10 and 30 minutes, 1 hour, 

4 hours, and 8 hours) and are distinguished by varying degrees of severity of toxic effects, 

ranging from transient, reversible effects to life-threatening effects [NRC 2001]. AEGLs are 

intended to be guideline levels used during rare events or single once-in-a-lifetime exposures 

to airborne concentrations of acutely toxic, high-priority chemicals [NRC 2001]. The threshold exposure limits are designed to protect the general population, including the elderly, 

children, and other potentially sensitive groups that are generally not considered in the development of workplace exposure recommendations (additional information available at https://

www.epa.gov/oppt/aegl/).

Acute reference concentration (Acute RfC): An estimate (with uncertainty spanning perhaps 

an order of magnitude) of a continuous inhalation exposure for an acute duration (24 hours 

or less) of the human population (including sensitive subgroups) that is likely to be without 

an appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime. It can be derived from a NOAEL, 

LOAEL, or benchmark concentration, with uncertainty factors (UFs) generally applied to 

reflect limitations of the data used. Generally used in U.S. EPA noncancer health assessments 

[U.S. EPA 2016]. 

Acute toxicity: Any poisonous effect produced within a short period of time following an 

exposure, usually 24 to 96 hours [U.S. EPA 2016]. 

Adverse effect: A substance-related biochemical change, functional impairment, or pathologic lesion that affects the performance of an organ or system or alters the ability to respond to 

additional environmental challenges. 

Benchmark dose/concentration (BMD/BMC): A dose or concentration that produces a predetermined change in response rate of an effect (called the benchmark response, or BMR) 

compared to background [U.S. EPA 2016] (additional information available at https://www.

epa.gov/ncea/bmds/).

Benchmark response (BMR): A predetermined change in response rate of an effect. Common 

defaults for the BMR are 10% or 5%, reflecting study design, data variability, and sensitivity 

limits used. 

Benchmark concentration lower confidence limit (BMCL): A statistical lower confidence limit 

on the concentration at the BMC [U.S. EPA 2016]. 

Bolus exposure: A single, relatively large dose. 

Ceiling value (“C”): Term in occupational exposure indicating the airborne concentration of a 

potentially toxic substance that should never be exceeded in a worker’s breathing zone. 

Chronic exposure: Repeated exposure for an extended period of time. Typically exposures are more 

than approximately 10% of life span for humans and >90 days to 2 years for laboratory species.
IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride ix

Critical study: The study that contributes most significantly to the qualitative and quantitative 

assessment of risk [U.S. EPA 2016].

Dose: The amount of a substance available for interactions with metabolic processes or biologically significant receptors after crossing the outer boundary of an organism [U.S. EPA 2016]. 

ECt50: A combination of the effective concentration of a substance in the air and the exposure 

duration that is predicted to cause an effect in 50% (one half) of the experimental test subjects. 

Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPGsTM): Maximum airborne concentrations 

below which nearly all individuals can be exposed without experiencing health effects for 

1-hour exposure. ERPGs are presented in a tiered fashion, with health effects ranging from 

mild or transient to serious, irreversible, or life threatening (depending on the tier). ERPGs 

are developed by the American Industrial Hygiene Association [AIHA 2006]. 

Endpoint: An observable or measurable biological event or sign of toxicity, ranging from biomarkers of initial response to gross manifestations of clinical toxicity. 

Exposure: Contact made between a chemical, physical, or biological agent and the outer 

boundary of an organism. Exposure is quantified as the amount of an agent available at the 

exchange boundaries of the organism (e.g., skin, lungs, gut). 

Extrapolation: An estimate of the response at a point outside the range of the experimental 

data, generally through the use of a mathematical model, although qualitative extrapolation 

may also be conducted. The model may then be used to extrapolate to response levels that 

cannot be directly observed. 

Hazard: A potential source of harm. Hazard is distinguished from risk, which is the probability of harm under specific exposure conditions. 

Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) condition: A condition that poses a threat of 

exposure to airborne contaminants when that exposure is likely to cause death or immediate 

or delayed permanent adverse health effects or prevent escape from such an environment 

[NIOSH 2004, 2013]. 

IDLH value: A maximum (airborne concentration) level above which only a highly reliable 

breathing apparatus providing maximum worker protection is permitted [NIOSH 2004, 

2013]. IDLH values are based on a 30-minute exposure duration. 

LC01: The statistically determined concentration of a substance in the air that is estimated to 

cause death in 1% of the test animals. 

LC50: The statistically determined concentration of a substance in the air that is estimated to 

cause death in 50% (one half) of the test animals; median lethal concentration. 

LCLO: The lowest lethal concentration of a substance in the air reported to cause death, usually 

for a small percentage of the test animals.

LD50: The statistically determined lethal dose of a substance that is estimated to cause death 

in 50% (one half) of the test animals; median lethal concentration. 
x IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 

LDLO: The lowest dose of a substance that causes death, usually for a small percentage of the 

test animals. 

LEL: The minimum concentration of a gas or vapor in air, below which propagation of a flame 

does not occur in the presence of an ignition source. 

Lethality: Pertaining to or causing death; fatal; referring to the deaths resulting from acute 

toxicity studies. May also be used in lethality threshold to describe the point of sufficient 

substance concentration to begin to cause death. 

Lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL): The lowest tested dose or concentration of 

a substance that has been reported to cause harmful (adverse) health effects in people or 

animals. 

Mode of action: The sequence of significant events and processes that describes how a substance causes a toxic outcome. By contrast, the term mechanism of action implies a more 

detailed understanding on a molecular level. 

No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL): The highest tested dose or concentration of a 

substance that has been reported to cause no harmful (adverse) health effects in people or 

animals. 

Occupational exposure limit (OEL): Workplace exposure recommendations developed by governmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations. OELs are intended to represent the 

maximum airborne concentrations of a chemical substance below which workplace exposures 

should not cause adverse health effects. OELs may apply to ceiling limits, STELs, or TWA 

limits. 

Peak concentration: Highest concentration of a substance recorded during a certain period 

of observation. 

Permissible exposure limits (PELs): Occupational exposure limits developed by OSHA (29 

CFR 1910.1000) or MSHA (30 CFR 57.5001) for allowable occupational airborne exposure 

concentrations. PELs are legally enforceable and may be designated as ceiling limits, STELs, 

or TWA limits.

Point of departure (POD): The point on the dose–response curve from which dose extrapolation is initiated. This point can be the lower bound on dose for an estimated incidence or a 

change in response level from a concentration-response model (BMC), or it can be a NOAEL 

or LOAEL for an observed effect selected from a dose evaluated in a health effects or toxicology study. 

RD50: The statistically determined concentration of a substance in the air that is estimated to 

cause a 50% (one half) decrease in the respiratory rate. 

Recommended exposure limit (REL): Recommended maximum exposure limit to prevent 

adverse health effects, based on human and animal studies and established for occupational 

(up to 10-hour shift, 40-hour week) inhalation exposure by NIOSH. RELs may be designated 

as ceiling limits, STELs, or TWA limits. 

Short-term exposure limit (STEL): A worker’s 15-minute time-weighted average exposure concentration that shall not be exceeded at any time during a work day. 
IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride xi

Target organ: Organ in which the toxic injury manifests in terms of dysfunction or overt 

disease. 

Threshold Limit Values (TLVs®): Recommended guidelines for occupational exposure to airborne contaminants, published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH®). TLVs refer to airborne concentrations of chemical substances and represent conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed, 

day after day, over a working lifetime, without adverse effects. TLVs may be designated as 

ceiling limits, STELs, or 8-hr TWA limits. 

Time-weighted average (TWA): A worker’s 8-hour (or up to 10-hour) time-weighted average 

exposure concentration that shall not be exceeded during an 8-hour (or up to 10-hour) work 

shift of a 40-hour week. The average concentration is weighted to take into account the duration of different exposure concentrations. 

Toxicity: The degree to which a substance is able to cause an adverse effect on an exposed 

organism.

Uncertainty factors (UFs): Mathematical adjustments applied to the POD when developing 

IDLH values. The UFs for IDLH value derivation are determined by considering the study 

and effect used for the POD, with further modification based on the overall database. 

Workplace Environmental Exposure Levels (WEELs®): Exposure levels developed by the 

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA®) that provide guidance for protecting most 

workers from adverse health effects related to occupational chemical exposures, expressed 

as TWA or ceiling limits.
xii IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 

Acknowledgments

This document was developed by the Division of Science Integration, Paul Schulte, Ph.D., director. R. Todd Niemeier, M.S., CIH, was the project officer and lead NIOSH author. The basis 

for this document was a report contracted by NIOSH and prepared by Andrew Maier, Ph.D.; 

Ann Parker; and Lynn Haber, Ph.D. (Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment [TERA]).

The following NIOSH staff are acknowledged for providing technical and editorial review of 

the report: 

Division of Science Integration 

Devin Baker, M.Ed. 

G. Scott Dotson, Ph.D. (former NIOSH)

Sherry Fendinger, M.L.I.S.

Charles L. Geraci, Ph.D. 

Thomas J. Lentz, Ph.D. 

Richard W. Niemeier, Ph.D. (retired)

Pranav Rane, M.P.H.

Chris Whittaker, Ph.D. 

NIOSH acknowledges the following subject matter experts for their critical technical reviews: 

Iris Camacho, Ph.D., branch chief, Assessment Branch 1, Risk Assessment Division, Office 

of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

Mary A. Fox, Ph.D., assistant professor; co-director, Risk Sciences and Public Policy Institute; Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Randall Keller, Ph.D., professor; Murray State University; Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering, and Technology Programs; Department of Occupational Safety and 

Health; Murray, Kentucky

Matthew Lloyd, CIH, New Chemicals Management Branch, Chemical Control Division, 

Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

Bill Luttrell, Ph.D., chair and professor, Department of Chemistry and Physics, College of 

Natural and Health Sciences, Oklahoma Christian University, Edmond, OK

Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Directorate of Standards and Guidance 

Laurie Roszell, Ph.D., toxicologist, Army Center for Public Health, Environmental Health 

Risk Assessment Division, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

George M. Woodall, Ph.D., toxicologist, National Center for Environmental Assessment, 

Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research 

Triangle Park, NC
IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 1

1 Introduction 

1.1 Overview of the IDLH 

Value for Chlorine 

Trifluoride

IDLH Value: 12 ppm (45 mg/m3)

Basis for IDLH Value: The IDLH value for 

chlorine trifluoride (CIF3

) is based on data on 

eye irritation in rats exposed at a concentration of 480 ppm for 5 minutes, which was determined to be escape-impairing [Horn and

Weir 1955]. The duration adjusted 30-minute 

concentration is 121 ppm. An uncertainty 

factor (UF) of 10 was applied to account for 

interspecies variability (factor of 3) and human variability (factor of 3), resulting in a 

derived IDLH value of 12 ppm. 

1.2 Purpose

This IDLH Value Profile presents (1) a brief 

summary of technical data associated with 

acute inhalation exposures to ClF3, and (2) 

the rationale behind the immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) value for 

ClF3. IDLH values are developed on the basis of the scientific rationale and logic outlined in the NIOSH Current Intelligence 

Bulletin (CIB) 66: Derivation of Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) 

Values [NIOSH 2013].

1.3 Literature Search 

Strategy and Data 

Evaluation

As described in CIB 66, NIOSH performed 

in-depth literature searches to ensure that all 

relevant data from human and animal studies with acute exposures to the substance 

were identified. See Appendix A for further information about the literature search 

strategy and data evaluation methods. 

1.4 General Substance 

Information

Chemical: Chlorine trifluoride

CAS No: 7790-91-2

Synonyms: Chlorine fluoride, chlorotrifluoride (ClF3

)*

Chemical category: Fluorine compounds, inorganic; chlorine compounds, inorganic†

Structural formula*:

References: *NRC [2007]; †IFA [2019]; *NLM [2019]

 
2 IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 

Table 1 highlights selected physiochemical 

properties of ClF3 relevant to IDLH conditions. Table 2 provides alternative exposure 

guidelines for ClF3. Table 3 summarizes the 

acute exposure guideline level (AEGL) values for ClF3.

Table 1. Physiochemical Properties of Chlorine Trifluoride (ClF3)

Property Value

Molecular weight 92.45

Chemical formula ClF3

Description Colorless gas; Greenish-yellow liquid (below 53°F) white solid

Odor Sweet, suffocating

Odor Threshold Not available 

UEL Not applicable (nonflammable gas)

LEL Not applicable (nonflammable gas)

Vapor pressure 1064 mmHg at 20°C (68°F) (1.4 atm)

Flash point Not applicable (nonflammable gas)

Ignition temperature Not applicable (nonflammable gas)

Solubility Violent hydrolysis with water

Reference: NRC [2007], NIOSH [2005]

Table 2. Alternative Exposure Values for Chlorine Trifluoride (ClF3)

Organization Value

NIOSH (1994) IDLH value* 20 ppm (76 mg/m3)

NIOSH REL† 0.1 ppm (0.4 mg/m3), ceiling

OSHA PEL‡ 0.1 ppm (0.4 mg/m3), ceiling

ACGIH® TLV®§ 0.1 ppm (0.4 mg/m3), ceiling

AIHA® ERPGsTM¶ ERPG-1: 0.1 ppm; ERPG-2: 1 ppm; ERPG-3: 10 ppm

AIHA® WEELs®** Not available

References: *NIOSH [1994]; †NIOSH [2005]; ‡OSHA [2019]; §ACGIH [2019]; ¶AIHA [2016]; **TERA [2014]
IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 3

Table 3. AEGL Values for Chlorine Trifluoride (ClF3)

Classification 10-min 30-min 1-hour 4-hour 8-hour End point (Reference)

AEGL-1(Nondisabling)

0.12 ppm(0.46 mg/m3)

0.12 ppm(0.46 mg/m3)

0.12 ppm(0.46 mg/m3)

0.12 ppm(0.46 mg/m3)

0.12 ppm(0.46 mg/m3)

Slight irritation—dog [Horn and Weir 1955]

AEGL-2(Disabling)

8.1 ppm(31 mg/m3)

3.5 ppm(13 mg/m3)

2.0 ppm(7.6 mg/m3)

0.70 ppm(2.7 mg/m3)

0.41 ppm(1.6 mg/m3)

Threshold, impaired ability to escape—dog [Horn and Weir 1955]

AEGL-3(Lethal)

84 ppm(320 mg/m3)

36 ppm(140 mg/m3)

21 ppm(80 mg/m3)

7.3 ppm(28 mg/m3)

7.3 ppm(28 mg/m3)

Threshold for lethality—monkey [MacEwen and Vernot 1970]

Reference: NRC [2007]
4 IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 

2 Human Data 

Human toxicity studies of sufficient quality 

for ClF3 were limited (see NIOSH 2013, section 3.4.1 for criteria to determine studies of 

sufficient quality). With moist air, or in the 

respiratory tract, ClF3 disintegrates rapidly 

into hydrogen fluoride (HF), chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and other highly reactive compounds [Dost et al. 1974]. Consequently, the 

chemical is a potent irritant of mucous membranes, eyes, and skin [Teitelbaum 2001]. 

Studies of sufficient quality that provide 

acutely toxic concentration values or an odor 

threshold for humans were not identified, although Reed et al. [1966] and Deichmann 

and Gerarde [1969] reported without further detail that exposure to 50 ppm was lethal to humans within 30 minutes to 2 hours. 

Cloyd and Murphy [1965] reported that 

“odorously detectable concentrations” of 

ClF3 cause gasping, ocular irritation with 

lacrimation, cloudiness of the cornea, severe 

salivation, coughing and dyspnea, skin burns, 

and convulsions after a few minutes of exposure. Fatigue may last some time beyond 

the end of exposure, the corneal damage 

may be permanent, and skin damage may 

heal poorly [Cloyd and Murphy 1965]. The 

National Research Council (NRC) cited an 

incident report in which one worker was exposed for 1–2 minutes to an unknown concentration of ClF3 [Longley et al. 1965]. The 

worker complained of headache, abdominal 

pain, and breathing difficulty that lasted for 

approximately 2 hours; however, no local or 

systemic effects were observed. The report 

indicated that the worker reported to work 

the day following exposure “with no apparent after-effects except fatigue” [Longley et 

al. 1965]. The acute symptoms of ClF3 poisoning resemble those caused by HF [Darmer et al. 1972; MacEwen and Vernot 1970]. 

Also similar to HF, more severe respiratory 

effects (e.g., lung congestion, edema, emphysema, and diffuse hemorrhagic changes) 

of ClF3 exposure may develop in a delayed 

fashion [HSDB 2019; MacEwen and Vernot 

1970]. 

The weight of evidence suggests that irritative and toxic effects occur with human 

exposure to ClF3; however, quantitative data 

to derive a point of departure (POD) for 

derivation of an IDLH value on human data 

were not identified. 

3 Animal Toxicity Data 

Multiple animal studies of sufficient quality 

for derivation of an IDLH value for ClF3 were 

identified. These included lethality studies 

[Darmer et al. 1972; Dost et al. 1967, 1974; 

Horn and Weir 1955; MacEwen and Vernot 

1970; Vernot et al. 1977] and two nonlethal concentration studies [Horn and Weir 

1955; MacEwen and Vernot 1970]. Some 

of the limited data on nonlethal effects of 

ClF3

 were taken from clinical observations 

of irritative effects in the lethality studies at 

concentrations or time periods less than the 

LC50 or ET50 derived values. 

Twenty rats exposed to 5.15 ppm ClF3 for 6 

hours appeared unaffected [Horn and Weir 

1955]. Two of two dogs exposed to this concentration for 6 hours exhibited salivation, 

lacrimation, rhinorrhea, and blinking of the 

eyes [Horn and Weir 1955]. The severity 
IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 5

of the effects seen in dogs was not reported, so a determination of whether they were 

escape-impairing could not be made. In the 

same study, a group of 20 rats and 2 dogs were 

exposed to 21 ppm ClF3

 for 6 hours per day 

for 2 consecutive days [Horn and Weir 1955]. 

Rats experienced rhinorrhea and began preening shortly after a 10-minute period of exposure. The authors reported rhinorrhea and 

lacrimation after the first exposure period; 

however, no information was provided as to the 

severity of these effects. It was also reported 

that both dogs began experiencing rhinorrhea 

and lacrimation within 10 minutes of the exposure starting. Additionally, it was reported 

that the dogs “blinked continuously at first and 

later kept their eyes tightly closed”; however, 

the time that these symptoms began was not 

noted [Horn and Weir 1955]. Additional data 

from two studies on irritative effects observed 

in monkeys, dogs, rats, and mice during lethal concentration studies were also identified 

[Horn and Weir 1955; MacEwen and Vernot 

1970]. Twenty rats exposed to 480 ppm for 

5 minutes experienced “considerable” lacrimation and had their eyelids closed. Some animals 

were observed to have swollen and raw eyelids, 

while other animals had considerable crusting 

of their eyelids [Horn and Weir 1955]. In a 

group of 20 rats exposed to 96 ppm for 65 minutes, one rat was in acute distress with marked 

gasping respiration; the other 19 rats were observed to be lying on the floor with their eyes 

tightly closed [Horn and Weir 1955]. In the 

same study, at 120 minutes, the rats were observed to have considerable exudate around the 

eyes, swollen and raw eyelids, crusting around 

the mouth and nose, and bubbling rhinorrhea 

[Horn and Weir 1955]. Eight rats exposed to 

200 ppm for 60 minutes and 15 mice exposed 

to 125 ppm for 60 minutes were observed to 

have lacrimation, salivation, dyspnea, and rhinorrhea during the exposures [MacEwen and 

Vernot 1970]. Four monkeys exposed to 127 

ppm for 60 minutes were observed to have 

signs of bronchotracheal/gastrointestinal irritation, which included sneezing, coughing, and 

a gagging reflex [MacEwen and Vernot 1970]. 

Table 4 summarizes nonlethal data reported 

in animal studies with 30-minute equivalent 

derived values for ClF3

. Information in these 

tables includes species of test animals, toxicological metrics (i.e., LC, BMCL, NOAEL, 

LOAEL), and adjusted 30-minute concentration. 

Median lethal concentration (LC50) and the 

effective median lethal time to 50% of the 

animal (ET50) values for ClF3 were evaluated in several animal species. MacEwen 

and Vernot [1970] exposed mice, rats, and 

monkeys to ClF3 for 60 minutes and observed lacrimation, salivation, rhinorrhea, 

and dyspnea that, within a few hours after 

exposure, turned into bloody discharges if 

the animals survived. Monkeys also showed 

signs typical of bronchial and gastrointestinal irritation. Death occurred with delays 

as long as 36 hours after exposure. Upon 

death, massive alveolar and interstitial hemorrhage were noted. Near-fatal concentrations resulted in concentration-dependent 

pulmonary congestion, edema, emphysema, 

and hemorrhage. The 60-minute LC50 values 

were 178 ppm for mice, 299 ppm for rats, 

and 230 ppm for monkeys (also reported in 

Darmer et al. [1972]). 

Horn and Weir [1955] exposed rats to two 

concentrations of ClF3 and determined 

ET50. In rats, the ET50 at 480 ppm was 40 

minutes (all dead within 70 minutes), at 

96 ppm it was 3.7 hours (observation time 

after the end of the 4.5-hour exposure to 

96 ppm was not stated). Clinical signs appeared within minutes of exposure and 

included increased activity, nasal flow and 

salivation, respiratory difficulty, eye irritation, and convulsions and coma shortly before death. Dost et al. [1967, 1974] reported that ClF3 caused severe inflammation in 

all exposed tissues, lacrimation, and shallow 

breathing in male rats. High concentrations 

made hair appear “singed,” caused skin 

burns, and produced corneal ulceration. 

These authors also observed that rats surviving ClF3 exposure for 4 hours did not eat 

for several days thereafter. Time to death 

was tested in presence of 400 and 800 ppm 
6 IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 

ClF3; all animals died within 45–90 minutes 

of exposure to 800 ppm for 15 minutes; at 

longer exposure times, up to 30 minutes, 

the earliest deaths occurred within 20 minutes, but some animals survived as long as 

160 minutes. At 400 ppm, death occurred 

after 55–140 minutes with ≥30 minutes 

exposure, but no deaths were observed at 

≤25 minutes exposure. NRC [2007, 2014] 

provided an estimated 1-hour LC50 value of 

222 ppm based on these data but indicated 

that this value may be an underestimate because post-exposure observations were not 

completed [NRC 2007, 2014]. Table 5 summarizes the LC data identified in animal 

studies and provides 30-minute equivalent 

derived values for ClF3. Information in this 

table includes species of test animals, toxicological metrics (i.e., LC, BMCL, NOAEL, 

LOAEL), and adjusted 30-minute concentration. 

The weight of evidence suggests that ClF3 

irritates the respiratory and ocular systems 

in the four animal species tested, and the 

effects occurred in concentrations as low as 

5.15 ppm. Lethal concentrations were also 

available for three animal species as well, 

but they were higher than the irritative effects and were excluded from consideration 

as a POD for the IDLH value. The most 

sensitive species appears to be rats in which 

irritative ocular effects, determined to be escape impairing, began to occur at 480 ppm 

at a 5-minute exposure period, resulting in 

a 30-minute time adjusted concentration of 

121 ppm [Horn and Weir 1955]. This endpoint was selected as the POD for the derivation of the IDLH value. Similar irritative 

effects were observed at similar 30-minute 

time-adjusted concentrations in multiple animal species and ranged from 142–341 ppm. 

One study identified irritative effects at a 

lower concentration than the chosen POD 

[Horn and Weir 1955]. In this study, dogs 

exposed at concentrations of 5.15 ppm 

over a 360-minute exposure period experienced irritation, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, and 

coughing and sneezing; however, the severity 

of these effects was not provided. The authors concluded that at the end of the first 

exposure period the dogs were not markedly 

affected. This concentration was not considered to be escape-impairing, so it was not 

considered as the POD for the derivation of 

the IDLH value. See Section 4 for information regarding the derivation of the IDLH 

for ClF3, including additional information on 

the study selected as the POD and the UFs 

applied to derive a final IDLH value. 
IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 7

Table 4. Nonlethal Concentration Data for Chlorine Trifluoride (ClF3)

Reference Species Critical nonlethal effect

Number of 

animals

Dose 

(ppm)

Time 

(min)

Adjusted 30-min 

Concentration*

(ppm)

Horn and Weir [1955] Dog Salivation, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, severe 

coughing, sneezing.

2 5.15 360** 35

Rhinorrhea, lacrimation, continuous eye blinking, kept eyes closed tightly

2 21 360** 142

Horn and Weir [1955] Rat None reported 20 5.15 360** 35

Rhinorrhea and lacrimation 20 21 360** 142

Considerable lacrimation and eyelids closed, some animals had swollen and raw eyelids, some animals had considerable crusting of eyelids

20 480 5§ 121

1 of 20 rats in acute distress with marked gasping respiration, lacrimation, salivation, and rhinorrhea. 19 of 20 rats lying on cage floor with eyes tightly closed

20 96 65¶ 174

Considerable exudate around eyes with swollen and raw eyelids, crusting around mouth and nose, bubbling rhinorrhea

20 96 120¶ 279

MacEwen and Vernot [1970] Monkey Bronchotracheal/gastrointestinal irritation 

(sneezing, coughing, and gagging reflex)

4 127 60** 217

(Continued)
8 IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 

Reference Species Critical nonlethal effect

Number of 

animals

Dose 

(ppm)

Time 

(min)

Adjusted 30-min 

Concentration*

(ppm)

MacEwen and Vernot [1970] Rat Lacrimation, salivation, dyspnea, rhinorrhea 

during exposures.

8 200 60** 341

Mouse Lacrimation, salivation, dyspnea, rhinorrhea 

during exposures.

15 125 60** 213

*For exposures other than 30 minutes, the ten Berge et al. [1986] relationship is used for duration adjustment (Cn × t = k), ), where C = concentration, t = time, k = constant, 

n = time scaling value; NRC [2007] provided an empirically estimated n of 1.3 for all time-scaling. Additional information on the calculation of duration-adjusted concentrations can be found in NIOSH [2013].

†The exposure time and symptoms noted were from the first daily exposure of a 6 week, 6-hour-per-day, 5-day-per-week inhalation study.‡The exposure time and symptoms noted were from the first daily exposure of a 2 day, 6-hour-per-day inhalation study.§The exposure time and symptoms noted were from an ET50 acute inhalation study at a concentration of 480 ppm.¶The exposure time and symptoms noted were from an ET50 acute inhalation study at a concentration of 96 ppm.**The exposure time and symptoms noted were from an LC50 acute inhalation study.Table 4 (Continued). Nonlethal Concentration Data for Chlorine Trifluoride (ClF3)
IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 9

Table 5. Lethal Concentration Data for Chlorine Trifluoride (ClF3)

Reference Species

Number 

of 

animals

Dose(s) 

(ppm)

LC50

(ppm)

ET50

(ppm)

Time 

(min)

Adjusted 

30-min Concentration*

(ppm)

Darmer et al. [1972]; MacEwen and Vernot [1970]

Monkey 5/dose 127, 150, 

200, 300, 400 

230 – 60 392

Darmer et al. [1972]; MacEwen and Vernot [1970]; Vernot et al. [1977]

Rat 8/dose 200, 400 299 – 60 510

Mouse 15/dose 125, 150, 

175, 200, 400

178 – 60 303

Horn and Weir [1955] Rat 20/dose 480 – 480 40 599

96 – 96 222 448

Dost et al. [1967, 1974] Rat 34 400 222† 20–40 378

46 800 10–30

*For exposures other than 30 minutes, the ten Berge et al. [1986] relationship is used for duration adjustment (Cn × t = k), ), where C = concentration, t = time, k = constant, n = time 

scaling value; NRC [2007] provided an empirically estimated n of 1.3 for all time-scaling. Additional information on the calculation of duration adjusted concentrations can be found in NIOSH [2013].

†Estimated value based on NRC [2007] extrapolation of Dost et al. [1974] data.
10 IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 

4 Summary

Several acute toxicity studies with exposure to 

ClF3 were identified. After adjustment to a 30 

minute exposure duration, nonlethal concentrations corresponding to escape-impairing health 

effects ranged from 121 to 341 ppm. These 

concentrations were time-concentration adjusted to 30-minute exposure durations using the ten Berge methodology with n = 1.3 

[ten Berge et al. 1986, NRC 2007]. It was 

determined appropriate to use a time-concentration factor for the irritative endpoint 

because these tissue damage effects caused 

by a direct-contact irritant appeared to be 

along a continuum [NRC 2007]. In one lower 

concentration (30-minute equivalent of 35 

ppm), irritative symptoms were observed in 

dogs but insufficient information was presented on the severity of the effects, so a determination whether that concentration was 

escape-impairing could not be made [Horn 

and Weir 1955]. Some of the exposure and 

symptom data were collected during lethal 

concentration studies; however, the symptoms reported were useful in the identification of irritative effects that may be escape 

impairing. LC50 values in experimental animals range from 303 to 599 ppm [Darmer et 

al. 1972; MacEwen and Vernot 1970; Horn 

and Weir 1955; Dost et al. 1967, 1974]. 

These values were higher than the irritative 

effects, would require the application of additional UFs, and thus were excluded from 

consideration as a POD for the IDLH value. 

Additionally, because the irritative effects 

for ClF3

 appear at lower concentrations in 

the cascade of adverse effects, the irritation 

endpoint was chosen as the POD. However, if the lethality endpoint was chosen as 

the POD, the final IDLH values would have 

been within a factor of 4 after the application of appropriate UF (UFs = 30–100). The 

most sensitive endpoint appeared to be in 20 

rats exposed to 480 ppm as part of a lethal 

concentration study. As part of this study, it 

was observed that after 5 minutes of exposure the rats experienced considerable lacrimation; kept their eyelids closed; and had 

swollen, raw, and crusting eyelids [Horn and 

Weir 1955]. These effects were judged by 

NIOSH to be a severe ocular irritation that 

would be escape-impairing and thus were 

used as the POD for the IDLH derivation. 

An adjusted 30-minute concentration was 

calculated from 5 minutes of exposure with 

a final POD of 121 ppm. A composite UF 

of 10 was applied to account for extrapolation from interspecies variability (animal to 

human); characterized by a factor of 3; and 

human variability, characterized by a factor 

of 3; resulting in a POD of 121 ppm divided 

by an UF of 10 or an IDLH value of 12 ppm. 

The justification for the underlying component UFs is as follows:

• Interspecies UF (=3) 

This value was selected because rats 

were the most sensitive animal species 

tested when comparing the 30-minute 

time-adjusted concentrations, and interspecies differences are not as pronounced for direct-acting irritative effects as with other endpoints.

• Intraspecies UF (=3)

This value was selected because the difference in sensitivity to irritants among 

workers is typically less than other endpoints.
IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 11

5 References

ACGIH® (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) [2019]. Annual 

TLVs® (threshold limit values) and BEIs® (biological exposure indices) booklet. Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH Signature Publications.

ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) [2020]. Documentation 

of the threshold limit values and biological exposure indices, 7th edition – 2020 supplement. 

Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, https://www.

acgih.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/documentation-of-the-threshold-limit-values-and-biological-exposure-indices-7th-ed-2020-supplement. Date accessed: January 8, 2020.

AIHA (American Industrial Hygiene Association) [2016]. AIHA Emergency Response 

Planning (ERP) Committee procedures and 

responsibilities. Fairfax, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association.

AIHA (American Industrial Hygiene Association) [2016]. Emergency response planning 

guidelines (ERPG) and workplace environmental exposure levels (WEEL) handbook. 

Fairfax, VA: American Industrial Hygiene 

Association Press.

Cloyd DR, Murphy WJ [1965]. Handling 

hazardous materials. Washington, DC: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA SP-5032.

Darmer KI, Haun CC, MacEwen JD [1972]. 

The acute inhalation toxicity of chlorine pentafluoride. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 33:661–668.

Deichmann WB, Gerarde HW [1969]. Chlorine trifluoride. In: Toxicology of drugs and 

chemicals. New York: Academic Press.

Dost FN, Reed DJ, Smith VN, Wang CH 

[1967]. Metabolism and pharmacology of inorganic and fluorine containing compounds. 

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratories, Aerospace Medical Division, Air Force Systems 

Command, AMRL-TR-67-224.

Dost FN, Reed DJ, Smith VN, Wang CH 

[1974]. Toxic properties of chlorine trifluoride. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 27:527–536.

EPA [2019]. Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS): glossary, https://ofmpub.epa.gov/

sor_internet/registry/termreg/searchandretrieve/glossariesandkeywordlists/search.do?details=&glossaryName=IRIS%20Glossary#formTop. Accessed June 11, 2019.

Horn HJ, Weir RJ [1955]. Inhalation toxicity 

of chloride trifluoride. I. Acute and subacute 

toxicity. AMA Arch Ind Health 12:515–521.

HSDB [2019]. Hazardous Substances Data 

Bank, HSDB. CAS No. 7790-91-2, https://

haz-map.com/. Date accessed: June 11, 2019.

IFA (Institut für Arbeitsschutz der Deutschen 

Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung) [2019]. 

GESTIS: database on hazardous substances, http://gestis-en.itrust.de/nxt/gateway.

dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=gestiseng:sdbeng. Date accessed June 11, 2019.

Longley MY, Pierce JF, Griesemer EC [1965]. 

A toxic hazard study of selected missile propellants. AMRL-TR-65-99. Wright-Patterson 

Air Force Base, OH: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratories. 

MacEwen JD, Vernot EH [1970]. Toxic hazards research unit. Annual technical report: 

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Aerospace Medical Research Laboratories, 

Aerospace Medical Division, Air Force Systems Command, AMRL-TR-70-77.

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Safety and Health) [1994]. Documentation 

for immediately dangerous to life or health 

concentrations (IDLHs): Chlorine trifluoride, 

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/7790912.

html. Date accessed: January 10, 2018.
12 IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 

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logic. By Bollinger N. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. 

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 

National Institute for Occupational Safety 

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chemical hazards. Barsan ME, ed. Cincinnati, 

OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human 

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Publication No. 2005-149.

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66: derivation of immediately dangerous to 

life or health (IDLH) values. Cincinnati, OH: 

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Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2014-100.

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gov/chemidplus/chemidlite.jsp. Date accessed: June 11, 2019.

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Emergency and continuous exposure limits 

for selected airborne contaminants. Vol. 2. 

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Press, https://doi.org/10.17226/690.

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[1986]. Concentration-time mortality response relationship of irritant and systematically acting vapors and gases. J Hazard Mater 13:301–309.

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IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 13

Appendix A—Literature Search Strategy and 

Data Evaluation

As described in CIB 66 [NIOSH 2013], 

NIOSH performed in-depth literature 

searches to ensure that all relevant data 

from human and animal studies with acute 

exposures to the substance were identified. 

This search was conducted in June 2019 

and included available literature to June 

2019. The process included reviewing toxicity summaries and acute exposure guidelines during an initial screening approach, 

including the AEGL documentation [NRC 

2007], ACGIH TLV® documentation [ACGIH 2020], NIOSH 1994 IDLH documentation [NIOSH 1994], and the Emergency 

and Continuous Exposure Limits for Selected Airborne Contaminants documentation 

[NRC 1984]. 

Studies were identified from these summaries and additional database queries were 

conducted in the databases listed Table A-1. 

Search terms used in these databases are 

provided in Table A-2. For ClF3

, the chemical identifiers used in the database searches 

were “chlorine trifluoride,” “chlorotrifluoride,” “chlorine fluoride,” and “CAS Registry 

Number: 7790-91-2.” For ClF3

, the in-depth 

literature search was conducted through 

June 2019. The information identified in 

the in-depth literature search was evaluated with general considerations that included description of studies (i.e., species, study 

protocol, exposure concentration, and duration), health endpoint evaluated, and critical effect levels (e.g., NOAELs, LOAELs, 

and LC50 values). Eighteen references were 

identified in the literature search, and 10 of 

these were cited in the IDLH document. 

These references included both peer-reviewed literature and scientific reports. The 

eight references that were not cited did not 

provide primary data on ClF3

. 
14 IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 

Table A–1. Literature search sources 

Database and Databases Link 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC) / Agency for Toxic 

Substance and Disease Registry 

(ATSDR) ToxProfiles 

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/index.asp 

ChemIDplus https://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/chemidlite.jsp 

EU, European INventory of Existing 

Commercial chemical Substances 

(EINECS) 

https://ihcp.jrc.ec.europa.eu/our_labs/predictive_ 

toxicology/information-sources/ec_inventory

EMBASE https://www.embase.com/

Hazardous Substance Data Bank 

(HSDB)

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/download/hsdb.

html

Haz-map https://haz-map.com/

National Library of Medicine (NLM) https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ 

International Agency for Research on 

Cancer (IARC) 

https://www.iarc.fr/

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) 

Section 8(e) Notices 

https://www.epa.gov/chemicals-under-tsca

World Health Organization (WHO)/IPCS 

International Chemical Safety Card 

(ICSC) 

https://www.ilo.org/safework/lang--en/index.htm

International Toxicity Estimates for 

Risk (ITER) 

https://tera.org/iter/

New Jersey Hazardous Substance Fact 

Sheets (NJ-HSFS) 

https://web.doh.state.nj.us/rtkhsfs/indexfs.aspx 

NIOSHTIC-2 https://www2a.cdc.gov/nioshtic-2/default.asp

NLM, PUBMED https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

National Institute for Occupational 

Safety and Health (NIOSH)/Registry of 

Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances 

(RTECS) 

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/rtecs/

NLM, Toxicology Literature Online 

(TOXLINE) 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=tox%20

%5Bsubset%5D%20AND%20

 Scopus https://www.scopus.com/search/form.

uri?display=basic
IDLH Value Profile for Chlorine Trifluoride 15

Table A–2. Literature search terms 

Search terms

Acute Fatal Threshold 

Inhalation Fatality Case study

Lethal Irritation Poisoning 

Lethal concentration Respiratory Chemical identifiers 

LC RD

References

ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) [2020]. Documentation of the threshold limit values and biological 

exposure indices, 7th edition – 2020 supplement. 

Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, https://www.

acgih.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/documentation-of-the-threshold-limit-values-and-biological-exposure-indi -

ces-7th-ed-2020-supplement. Date accessed: 

January 8, 2020.

NRC (National Research Council). [1984]. Emergency and continuous exposure limits for selected

airborne contaminants. Vol. 2. Washington, 

DC: The National Academies Press, https://

doi.org/10.17226/690.

NRC (National Research Council). [2007]. 

Acute exposure guideline levels for selected 

airborne chemicals: Vol. 5. Washington, DC: 

The National Academies Press, https://doi.

org/10.17226/11774.

NIOSH [1994]. Documentation for immediately dangerous to life or health concentrations (IDLHs): Chlorine trifluoride, https://

www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/7790912.html. Date 

accessed: June 11, 2019. 

NIOSH [2013]. Current intelligence bulletin 

66: derivation of immediately dangerous to 

life or health (IDLH) values. Cincinnati, OH: 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational 

Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2014-100.
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2020-124

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2020124

Promoting productive workplaces through 

safety and health research