Sodium fluoroacetate, commonly known as 1080, is an organofluorine chemical compound with the formula FCH₂CO₂Na. It is a naturally occurring poison found in plants in Australia, South Africa, and Brazil. Sodium fluoroacetate is a sodium salt of fluoroacetic acid, appearing as a tan-colored alkaline powder with a pH of 10.3. It melts at 197–203 °C with decomposition. It is soluble in water but practically insoluble in all nonpolar solvents. The compound is stable in sunlight, at a temperature of 54°C, and in tin-coated metal containers.
What is Sodium Fluoroacetate used for?
Sodium fluoroacetate is widely used as a pesticide to control mammalian pests:
Farmers and graziers use it to protect pastures and crops from herbivorous mammals.
Australia: A key component of pest control programs for rabbits, foxes, wild dogs, and feral pigs. Since 1994, large-scale fox baiting in Western Australia has significantly improved native species populations, leading to the removal of three species of mammals from the endangered list.
New Zealand: The largest user of 1080 due to the absence of native land mammals (except two bat species). 1080 is used to control possums, rats, stoats, and rabbits to protect native wildlife and vegetation.
United States: Previously used widely as a cheap predacide and rodenticide. The EPA cancelled most uses in 1972, but in 1985, the restricted-use "toxic collar" for coyote control was approved.
Other countries: Used as a rodenticide in Mexico, Japan, Korea, and Israel.
Sodium fluoroacetate is widely used as a pesticide to control mammalian pests.
Sources & Routes of Exposure
Sources of Exposure
Occupational exposure may occur through dermal contact at workplaces where sodium fluoroacetate is produced or used.
No exposure to the general public is expected under the current permitted use pattern.
Routes of Exposure
Sodium fluoroacetate can enter the body through:
Inhalation
Skin or eye contact
Ingestion
Health Effects
Acute Effects
Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes and may affect vision.
Breathing sodium fluoroacetate can irritate the nose and throat.
Inhalation can cause lung irritation, coughing, and shortness of breath.
Higher exposure can cause pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), a medical emergency with severe shortness of breath.
Sodium fluoroacetate can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Overexposure can cause hallucinations, muscle twitching, convulsions, and serious heart rhythm changes, which can be fatal.
Cancer Hazard
Sodium fluoroacetate has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals.
Reproductive Hazard
Limited evidence suggests sodium fluoroacetate may damage the testes.
Other Long-Term Effects
Sodium fluoroacetate may damage the kidneys.
Repeated exposure may affect the liver and thyroid gland.
Safety Measures
First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Move person into fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Seek medical attention.
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and plenty of water. Take the victim immediately to a hospital. Seek medical attention.
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with water as a precaution. Seek medical attention.
Ingestion: Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Rinse mouth with water. Seek medical attention.
Exposure Controls & Personal Protection
Engineering Controls
Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing.
Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling the product.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Eye Protection: Face shield and safety glasses (NIOSH or EN 166 compliant).
Skin Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves (EU Directive 89/686/EEC, EN 374). Inspect gloves before use and follow proper removal techniques.
Body Protection: Full protective suit.
Respiratory Protection:
If risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate, use a full-face particle respirator type N100 (US) or type P3 (EU).
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU) standards.
Regulation
United States
OSHA: The United States Occupational Safety & Health Administration has set the following Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) for sodium fluoroacetate:
General Industry: 0.05 mg/m3 (Skin);
Construction Industry: 0.05 mg/m3 TWA (Skin)
ACGIH: The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has set a Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for sodium fluoroacetate of 0.05 mg/m3 TWA (Skin)
NIOSH: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has set a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for sodium fluoroacetate of 0.05 mg/m3 TWA (Skin), 0.15 mg/m3 STEL (Skin)
Australia
Safe Work Australia: Safe Work Australia has set the following Time Weighted Average (TWA) concentration for sodium fluoroacetate 0.05 mg/m3 for a 40-hour work week and a 15-minute short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 0.15 mg/m3.
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