2-Fluoroethanol is the organofluorine compound

Organofluorine chemistry

Organofluorine chemistry describes the chemistry of organofluorine compounds, organic compounds that contain the carbon–fluorine bond. Organofluorine compounds find diverse applications ranging from oil- and water-repellents to pharmaceuticals, refrigerants and reagents in catalysis...

 with the formula CH₂FCH₂OH. This colorless liquid is one of the simplest stable fluorinated alcohols. It was developed for use as a rodenticide, insecticide

Insecticide

An insecticide is a pesticide used against insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against the eggs and larvae of insects respectively. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and the household. The use of insecticides is believed to be one of the major factors behind...

, and acaricide. Owing to its easy oxidation to fluoroacetic acid

Fluoroacetic acid

Fluoroacetic acid is a compound with formula H. It is between acetic acid and trifluoroacetic acid....

, fluoroethanol is highly toxic ( = 10 mg/kg). The related difluoro- and trifluoroethanols are far less dangerous.

See also

• USEPA
  United States Environmental Protection Agency
  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
  
  ; EPA Chemical Profile. Chemical Emergency Preparedness
  Emergency management
  Emergency management is the generic name of an interdisciplinary field dealing with the strategic organizational management processes used to protect critical assets of an organization from hazard risks that can cause events like disasters or catastrophes and to ensure the continuance of the...
  
  and Prevention Office, Aug., 1999