July 1999 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
1,2-Diphenylhydrazine |
(1,2-Difenilhidracina) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about 1,2-diphenylhydrazine. For more
information, you may call the ATSDR Information Center at
1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries
about hazardous substances and their health effects. This
information is important because this substance may harm you.
The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend
on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits
and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.
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HIGHLIGHTS: 1,2-Diphenylhydrazine
is a man-made chemical that was once used in fabric dyes
but now is only used to make certain medicines. No harmful
effects on people have been reported. Animal studies indicate
that it may affect the liver, lungs, and digestive system.
It has been found at 7 of the 1,177 National Priorities
List sites identified by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). |
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What is 1,2-diphenylhydrazine? |
1,2-Diphenylhydrazine is a white solid.
There is no information on what it smells like or whether
it will burn. It does not dissolve easily in water, but when
placed in water, it rapidly breaks down into other chemicals.
These include the toxic chemicals benzidine and azobenzene.
It does not evaporate easily but may be released to air when
attached to dust particles.
1,2-Diphenylhydrazine is a man-made chemical
that was used in the past to make benzidine which was used
to make various fabric dyes. Benzidine dyes are no longer
used in the United States, but may still be used in other
countries. The only current use of 1,2-diphenylhydrazine in
the United States is in the production of medicines to treat
inflammation and a type of arthritis.
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What
happens to 1,2-diphenylhydrazine when it enters the environment? |
- 1,2-Diphenylhydrazine rapidly breaks down to other chemicals
when released to the environment.
- Very little 1,2-diphenylhydrazine is likely to be released
to the air because it does not evaporate easily; however,
if released to the air, it would probably break down rapidly
to other chemicals such as azobenzene.
- 1,2-Diphenylhydrazine reacts rapidly with water to form
benzidine, azobenzene, and other chemicals.
- When released to soil, it will attach to soil particles
but is not expected to last very long.
- It is not likely to filter through the soil to groundwater.
- There is no information about its biomagnification through
the food chain, but it would not be expected to bioaccumulate
because it does not persist for long in the environment.
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How
might I be exposed to 1,2-diphenylhydrazine? |
- Most people are not likely to be exposed to 1,2-diphenylhydrazine
because of its limited use and because it doesn't last long
once released to the environment.
- People who take medicines made from 1,2-diphenylhydrazine
may be exposed to low levels.
- If you live near a waste site that contains 1,2-diphenyl-hydrazine
you might be exposed if it was in dust you breathed or dirt
that got on your skin.
- If you work in a factory where 1,2-diphenylhydrazine is
made or used, you could be exposed to it by breathing dust
or getting it on your skin.
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How
can 1,2-diphenylhydrazine affect my health? |
No harmful effects on people exposed
to 1,2-diphenylhydrazine have been reported.
Animal studies indicate that ingesting
large amounts of 1,2-diphenylhydrazine can cause death. Ingesting
smaller amounts over a long period can cause damage to the
lungs, digestive tract (stomach and intestines), and liver,
and can cause death. We do not know if it can cause birth
defects or affect reproduction.
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How
likely is 1,2-diphenylhydrazine to cause cancer? |
No studies are available on whether 1,2-diphenylhydrazine
causes cancer in people. The carcinogenicity of 1,2-diphenylhydrazine
has been evaluated in rats and mice in studies that showed
it caused liver cancer. The EPA has determined that 1,2-diphenylhydrazine
is a probable human carcinogen based on adequate evidence
in animals and inadequate data in humans.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to 1,2-diphenylhydrazine? |
There are no medical tests to determine
if you have been exposed to 1,2-diphenylhydrazine.
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Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? |
The EPA recommends that levels of 1,2-diphenylhydrazine
in lakes and streams should be limited to 0.041 parts per
billion (0.041 ppb) to prevent possible human health effects
from drinking water or eating fish contaminated with this
chemical. Any release to the environment greater than 10 pounds
of 1,2-diphenylhydrazine must be reported to the EPA.
The federal recommendations have been
updated as of July 1999.
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Glossary |
Carcinogenicity: Ability to cause cancer.
CAS: Chemical Abstracts Service.
Evaporate: To change into a vapor or
a gas.
Ingest: Take food or drink into your
body.
National Priorities List: A list of the
nation's worst hazardous waste sites.
ppb: Parts per billion.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 1990. Toxicological Profile for 1,2-diphenylhydrazine. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
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Where can I get more information? |
ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational
and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize,
evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances. You can also contact your community or state health
or environmental quality department if you have any more questions
or concerns. For more information, contact:
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
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