INHALATION TOXICITY OF PYROLYSIS PRODUCTS OF POLYTETRAFLUORETHYLENE HEATED BELOW 500 DEGREES CENTIGRADE

Quantitative evidence has been obtained which indicates that the principal toxic component in the pyrolysate from PTFE (Teflon® 5)* at the first temperature at which rat mortality is observed (Approximate Lethal Temperature, ALT), is a particulate material which may have other toxicants adsorbed on it. The toxicity of this particulate varies, depending upon the conditions under which it is generated. At 30°C above the ALT, perfluoroisobutylene could be the principal toxic agent. The data correlate well with known chemical reactions as well as observations and hypotheses of other investigators. © 1968 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.