Disulfur decafluoride (S2F10): A review of the biological properties and our experimental studies of this breakdown product of SF6.

摘要

The toxicity of S(sub 2)F(sub 10) (disulfur decafluoride) to whole animals and to cells is discussed. The strong toxicity of S(sub 2)F(sub 10), comparable to the toxicity of phosgene in some species, suggested the possible use of S(sub 2)F(sub 10) as a warfare agent. Exposures to as little as 0.1 ppm for 18 h have produced lung irritation in rats. Cell culture studies in our laboratory have shown S(sub 2)F(sub 10) to be by far the most toxic product we have so far identified in laboratory samples of electrically-decomposed SF(sub 6). The significance of these toxicological studies for electrical utility personnel depends on the presence and amount of S(sub 2)F(sub 10) found in actual applications and the effectiveness of clean-up methods applied to faulted gas equipment.