Diborane

CAS number: 19287–45–7

NIOSH REL: 0.1 ppm (0.1 mg/m³) TWA

Current OSHA PEL: 0.1 ppm (0.1 mg/m³) TWA

1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 0.1 ppm (0.11 mg/m³) TWA

Description of Substance: Colorless gas with a repulsive, sweet odor.

LEL:. . 0.8% (10% LEL, 800 ppm)

Original (SCP) IDLH: 40 ppm

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by ACGIH [1971] that Jacobson and Lawson [1962] found the rat 4-hour LC₅₀ to be 40 or 80 ppm, depending on the age or strain of rats used.

Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA

Lethal concentration data:

Species	Reference	LC50 (ppm)	LCLo (ppm)	Time	Adjusted 0.5-hr LC (CF)	Derived value
Rat Mouse Rat Rat Dog Hamster	Adams 1964 Jacobson and Lawson 1962 Jacobson and Lawson 1962 Krackow 1953 Kunkel et al. 1956 Stumpe 1960	40 29 40- 80 159-181 ----- -----	----- ----- ----- ----- 125 50	4 hr 4 hr 4 hr 15 min 2 hr 8 hr	80 ppm (2.0) 58 ppm (2.0) 80-160 ppm (2.0) 126-143 ppm (0.79) 200 ppm (1.6) 125 ppm (2.5)	8.0 ppm 5.8 ppm 8.0 ppm 13-14 ppm 20 ppm 13 ppm

Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.

Revised IDLH: 15 ppm Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for diborane is 15 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in animals [Krackow 1953].

REFERENCES:

1. ACGIH [1971]. Diborane. In: Documentation of the threshold limit values for substances in workroom air. 3rd ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, p. 72.

2. Adams RM, ed. [1964]. Boron, metallo-boron compounds and boranes. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., p. 693.

3. Jacobson KH, Lawson LH [1962]. The effect of age or weight on the toxicity of diborane. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 4:215-219.

4. Krackow EH [1953]. Toxicity and health hazards of boron hydrides. AMA Arch Ind Hyg Occup Med 8:335-339.

5. Kunkel AM, Murtha EF, Oikemus AH, Stabile DE, Saunders JP, Wills JH [1956]. Some pharmacologic effects of diborane. AMA Arch Ind Health 13:346-351.

6. Stumpe AR [1960]. Toxicity of diborane in high concentrations. AMA Arch Ind Health 21:519-524.