Toxicity of Halon 2402

Abstract : The acute toxicity of Halon 2402 was assessed and compared to that of Halon 1211. The purpose of this effort was to determine the acute toxicity of Halon 2402 in laboratory animals and to compare this toxicity to that of Halon 1211. Because of the interest in Halon 2402 as a potential firefighting agent, it was necessary to evaluate the toxicity of this agent and compare it to that of Halon 1211, the standard USAF agent. Therefore, the New Mexico Engineering Research Institute (NMERI), in collaboration with the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy, evaluated the acute toxicity of Halons 1211 and 2402 in rats. Because of the high vapor pressure of halons, the route of exposure posing the highest risk is inhalation. Therefore, determining the toxic effects of acute inhalation provides an important step in understanding the health risks of the agent.