Tetrahydrofuran(THF)

In 4 urban areas, tetrahydrofuran was detected in Mother's milk in 1 of 12 samples(1).

USDA APHIS Chemical Effects: collection=usda_chemeffect&query_type=synonym&query='^109-99-9$'

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), tetrahydrofuran, which has a vapor pressure of 162 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase tetrahydrofuran is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals; the half-life for this reaction in air is 21 to 24 hours(3), calculated from its measured rate constants of 1.62X10-11 to 1.8X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec(4). Butyrolactone and alpha-hydroxytetrahydrofuran were formed as products during the photooxidation of tetrahydrofuran(5). Tetrahydrofuran will also react with nitrate radicals; the half-life for this reaction in air is 3 days(SRC), calculated from its measured rate...

Koc values of 23 and 18 were determined for tetrahydrofuran using a zero headspace extractor vessel in Captina silt loam (pH = 4.97, organic carbon = 1.49%) and McLaurin sandy loam (pH = 4.43, organic carbon = 0.66%), respectively(1). According to a classification scheme(2), these measured Koc values suggest that tetrahydrofuran is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). A retardation factor of 1.0 was measured for tetrahydrofuran in a ground water system in Indiana(3). A retardation factor of 2.2, based on plume length, was measured for tetrahydrofuran in an aquifer beneath a landfill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada(4). A column packed with aquifer material was used to measure a retardation factor of 1.2 for tetrahydrofuran(5).

ANAEROBIC: Tetrahydrofuran at 50 mg C/L was resistant to anaerobic biodegradation with a lag period of >60 days (the incubation period) using a primary digesting sludge as an inoculum; no gas production was seen during this time(1).

An estimated BCF of 3 was calculated in fish for tetrahydrofuran(SRC), using a log Kow of 0.46(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC).

The Henry's Law constant for tetrahydrofuran is 7.05X10-5 atm-cu m/mole(1). This Henry's Law constant indicates that tetrahydrofuran is expected to volatilize from water surfaces(2). Based on this Henry's Law constant, the volatilization half-life from a model river (1 m deep, flowing 1 m/sec, wind velocity of 3 m/sec)(2) is estimated as 13 hours(SRC). The volatilization half-life from a model lake (1 m deep, flowing 0.05 m/sec, wind velocity of 0.5 m/sec)(2) is estimated as 6.6 days(SRC). Tetrahydrofuran's Henry's Law constant indicates that volatilization from moist soil surfaces may occur(SRC). Tetrahydrofuran is expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 162 mm Hg(3).

The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of tetrahydrofuran with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals has been measured as 1.62X10-11 to 1.8X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec(1). This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 21 to 24 hours at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(2). Butyrolactone and alpha-hydroxytetrahydrofuran were formed as products during the photooxidation of tetrahydrofuran(3). A rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of tetrahydrofuran with nitrate radicals was measured as 4.88X10-15 cu cm/molecule sec(4). This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 3 days(SRC) at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+8 nitrate radicals per cu cm(5). Tetrahydrofuran is moderately reactive in photochemical smog conditions where...

SURFACE WATER: The avg concentration of tetrahydrofuran in 14 heavily industrialized river basins in the US (201 sites) was >1 ppb (29 sites positive; range, 1-318 ppb)(1). Tetrahydrofuran was identified in water samples taken from the Puerto Rico offshore industrial waste dumpsite in 1978 at unreported concentrations(2). Dutch surface water samples taken from 1992 to 1997 from the Rhine, Meuse, the northern delta area, and Westerscheld were reported as 3.2, 1.1, 3.0, and 6.4 mg/L for tetrahydrofuran, respectively(3).

Tetrahydrofuran was detected as a volatile compound, isolated from floured chickpea seed(1). This compound was identified in the volatile component of cooked chicken(2).

ENVIRONMENTAL: In 4 urban areas, tetrahydrofuran was detected in Mother's milk in 1 of 12 samples(1).

Tetrahydrofuran was detected in 20 of 1043 common household products at unreported concentrations(1). Tetrahydrofuran was identified but not quantified as a volatile organic compound released from textile floor coverings(2). Tetrahydrofuran was identified as a major constituent of polyvinyl chloride primer and adhesive and was found to be leached into the water surrounding bonded joints at concentrations ranging from 215-63,000 ug/L (concentrations given for the first wash for 7 different products)(3); 6 and 8 months following polyvinyl chloride pipe installation tetrahydrofuran concentrations in the surrounding water were 13 and 7.5 ppm, respectively(4). Volatile organic compounds measured from a sludge landfill simulator contained tetrahydrofuran at unreported concentrations(5). The c...

SOURCE DOMINATED: Atmospheric air 500 m from a furan factory contained 0.173 mg/cu m tetrahydrofuran.

Tetrahydrofuran's production and use as a solvent for natural and synthetic resins (e.g., vinyls), in top-coating solutions, and in organic synthesis(1) may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC).

SOIL: Tetrahydrofuran was detected at unreported concentrations in soil on one Department of Energy research and defense production facility(1).

Workers were exposed to tetrahydrofuran while joining PVC casing to PVC pipe with cement containing tetrahydrofuran. Of 4 concentrations measured, 1 registered 20 ppm for a 20 min period.

Tetrahydrofuran's production and use as a solvent for natural and synthetic resins (e.g., vinyls), in top-coating solutions, and in organic synthesis may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. If released to air, a vapor pressure of 162 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates tetrahydrofuran will exist solely as a vapor in the atmosphere. Vapor-phase tetrahydrofuran will be degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals and nitrate ions; the half-lives for these reactions in air are 21-24 hours and 3 days, respectively. If released to soil, tetrahydrofuran is expected to have very high mobility based upon Koc values of 18 and 23. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process based upon a Henr...

irritation eyes, upper respiratory system; nausea, dizziness, headache, central nervous system depression

Eyes, respiratory system, central nervous system

LC50 (rat) = 21,000 ppm/3H

ACGIH Carcinogen - Confirmed Animal.

inhalation, skin and/or eye contact, ingestion

HUMAN TOXICITY: Data pertaining to the toxicity of tetrahydrofuran (THF) in humans is quite limited. The probable oral lethal dose in humans is 50-500 mg/kg. Severe occipital headaches were reported in the testing for pharmacological properties of THF & among technicians performing animal experiments. Toxicity (TCLo) is expected following exposure to a 2.5% concn of THF. ANIMAL TOXICITY: Animal studies indicate that THF is only "MODERATELY TOXIC" from acute exposure with the lowest reported LD50's of 1900-2900 mg/kg by oral route. Median lethal concns by inhalation varied with the duration of exposure but were >20,000 ppm with all species for exposures of 1 hr or less. Reports of animal studies document irritation of the skin & mucous membranes, including the eyes, nose, & upper respira...

Oral Chronic Reference Dose Reference: IRIS Current

Summary: Under the conditions of these 2-year inhalation studies, there was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of tetrahydrofuran in male F344/N rats based on increased incidences of renal tubule adenoma or carcinoma (combined). There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of tetrahydrofuran in female F344/N rats exposed to 200, 600, or 1,800 ppm or male B6C3F1 mice exposed to 200, 600, or 1,800 ppm. There was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity of tetrahydrofuran in female B6C3F1 mice based on increased incidences of hepatocellular neoplasms.

Persons with existing skin disorders may be more susceptible to the effects /of tetrahydrofuran exposure/.

Soil Saturation Concentration (mg/kg): 1.65e+05

A3; Confirmed animal carcinogen with unknown relevance to humans.

Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious, has severe pulmonary edema, or is in severe respiratory distress. Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias if necessary ... . Start IV administration of D5W /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Use 0.9% saline (NS) or lactated Ringer's (LR) if signs of hypovolemia are present. For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Consider vasopressors if patient is hypotensive with a normal fluid volume. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Treat seizures with diazepam or lorazepam ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Ethers and related compounds/

Soil Saturation Concentration (mg/kg): 1.65e+05

Reference: Smith, C.D. and Nowell, L.H., 2024. Health-Based Screening Levels for evaluating water-quality data (3rd ed.). DOI:10.5066/F71C1TWP