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Chemical Name: 1,1-Difluoroethylene
CAS Number: 75-38-7
Synonyms: Vinylidene fluoride, VDF
Appearance: Colorless gas with a slightly sweet odor
Uses: Vital in making polyvinylidene fluoride resins, coatings for wiring, piping, semi-conductor industry applications
Odor Threshold: Around 250 ppm, but best not to rely on odor for detection
Physical Form: Compressed liquefied gas for transport and storage
Main Hazards: High flammability, releases toxic gases when burning, risk of asphyxiation in confined spaces, frostbite from liquid contact
Acute Effects: Inhalation can lead to dizziness, headaches, suffocation if levels rise, contact with liquid yields severe cold burns
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure at elevated levels could have effects on nervous system, and there are ongoing studies on its carcinogenic potential
Pictogram Guide: Flammable symbol, gas under pressure symbol, health hazard symbol used on storage tanks and containers
Regulations: Occupational limits in place for workplace exposure, focused on preventing fire and accidental releases
Chemical Content: 1,1-Difluoroethylene (pure, trace stabilizers can be present—depending on supplier)
Impurities: Low levels of hydrogen fluoride and tetrafluoroethylene can crop up
Concentration: Commercial batches generally stay above 99% purity
Molecular Formula: C2H2F2
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, keep warm and at rest, get medical help right away if breathing gets difficult
Skin Contact: Wash with lots of water, use tepid water for frostbite, avoid rubbing—blistering can happen
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes for at least 15 minutes, don't delay—frostbite injuries may need urgent care
Ingestion: Highly unlikely due to gaseous form, treat for symptoms of cold burns or chemical irritation if necessary
Medical Attention: Call emergency services for high exposure, hypoxia, or severe cold burns, monitor for respiratory issues
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or appropriate foam
Special Hazards: Containers may explode if heated, releases toxic gases like hydrogen fluoride and carbonyl fluoride
Protective Gear: Firefighters rely on full self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing
Precautions: Remove containers from fire zone if safe to handle, cool with water spray to reduce risk; don't approach vapor cloud without gear
Evacuation: Clear area of unnecessary people, ventilate confined spaces quickly
Containment: Try to stop leak if it can be done safely, avoid direct contact
Clean-Up: Allow gas to disperse safely, keep away from flames, sparks, and heat
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, water sources—fluorinated gases may contribute to greenhouse effect
Personal Protection: Gloves, goggles, flame-resistant clothing, positive pressure breathing apparatus sometimes necessary
Handling: Open valves and containers slowly, prevent static charge buildup, use non-sparking equipment, transfer only in well-ventilated places
Storage: Store as compressed gas cylinders in cool, dry, fire-resistant area, segregate from oxidizers and acids
Precautions: Regularly check for leaks, label all containers clearly, train staff in safe practices, secure cylinders to prevent falling
Workplace Limits: Varies by country—some agencies recommend 2.5 ppm TWA (time-weighted average) for 8-hour shift
Engineering Controls: Ventilation—local exhaust at discharge points, gas detection systems, automated shutoff valves
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical goggles, gloves resistant to cryogenic temperatures, flame-resistant lab coats, supplied-air respirators in high concentrations
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after use, remove clothing contaminated with liquefied gas, keep eating/drinking areas separate
State: Gas at room temperature, can be liquefied under pressure
Boiling Point: -83.2°C
Melting Point: -144°C
Vapor Pressure: High at ambient temperature
Odor: Slightly sweet, not reliable for safe detection
Solubility: Not very soluble in water, soluble in organic solvents
Density: About 0.9 (water = 1, as a liquid)
Flammability: Extremely flammable, forms explosive mixtures with air; ignition risk at concentrations as low as 5.5% in air
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage, decomposes at high temperatures
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, alkali metals, amines, acids
Hazardous Decomposition: Hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, carbonyl fluoride when burned or overheated
Polymerization: Can occur with strong initiators or under high heat, releases additional heat and pressure
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation is main danger, skin and eye contact with liquid form can freeze tissue
Acute Toxicity: High concentrations cause central nervous system depression, can knock a person unconscious—death is rare but possible in confined spaces
Chronic Exposure: Repeated exposure concerns include potential carcinogenic effects, but evidence remains limited and debated
Symptoms: Lightheadedness, confusion, suffocation, chest pain in high concentrations; frostbite with liquid contact
Sensitization: Repeated contact can sensitize skin and lungs to cold injury, but chemical allergy unlikely
Persistence: Does not break down quickly in atmosphere; some photodegradation occurs
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely due to gaseous nature, not much evidence of buildup in food chain
Toxicity to Organisms: Low eco-toxicity, but accidental large-scale release may smother aquatic life by depriving oxygen
Global Warming Potential: Contributes to greenhouse gas build-up, although impact is lower than chlorofluorocarbons
Environmental Fate: Dilutes quickly in open air; best practice is to manage leaks to minimize greenhouse effect
Disposal Methods: Controlled venting to safe atmosphere using approved equipment, incineration with proper scrubbers for hydrogen fluoride
Restrictions: Never pour into drains or soils, avoid uncontrolled burning
Legal Requirements: Comply with local and national regulations on fluorinated gases, documentation for hazardous waste necessary
UN Number: 1959
Hazard Class: 2.1 (Flammable gas)
Packaging: Cylinders and pressure-rated containers only, no glass
Labeling: Must carry flammable gas label, and hazardous gas warnings
Emergency Advice: Keep vehicles well ventilated, secure upright, emergency response guides recommend evacuation for major leaks
Workplace Standards: National and international organizations set occupational exposure limits, with strong emphasis on fire safety
Environmental Laws: Listed as a greenhouse gas subject to reporting and control in many regions
Transport Rules: Adheres to strict protocols for hazardous materials transport, with mandatory incident reporting
Product Use: Permitted for industrial manufacturing, not for consumer use or unsupervised handling
Control Measures: Employers must monitor air levels and update training regularly, with inspections of valve integrity and leak checks forming part of standard protocol
