Agent Name |
Methylhydrazine |
Alternative Name |
Methyl hydrazine |
CAS Number |
60-34-4 |
Formula |
C-H6-N2 |
Major Category |
Toxic Gases & Vapors |
Synonyms |
Monomethylhydrazine; MMH; Methyl hydrazine; [NIOSH] |
Category |
Other Toxic Gases & Vapors |
Description |
Fuming, colorless liquid with an ammonia-like odor; [NIOSH] |
Sources/Uses |
Used as a rocket fuel, solvent, and chemical intermediate; [ACGIH] |
Comments |
Liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact; [CHRIS] Toxic effects resemble those of hydrazine with mucous membrane irritation, methemoglobinemia, hemolytic anemia, and central nervous system injury; [ACGIH] May produce pulmonary edema after high inhalation exposure; [ICSC] In high-dose reproductive studies of animals, hydrazine derivatives (hydrazine, MMH, and UDMH) cause testicular damage and fetal loss, and hydrazine causes birth defects. [Frazier, p. 341-2] Hydrazines antagonize GABA in the CNS causing excitation and seizures. Pyrodoxine, vitamin B6, is a specific antidote for this effect. [AHLS, p. 426] |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
TIH |
Yes |
TLV (ACGIH) |
0.01 ppm |
PEL (OSHA) | Ceiling(OSHA) = 0.2 ppm |
IDLH (NIOSH) |
20 ppm |
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the report by Jacobson et al. [1955] of a mouse LC50 of 56 ppm. . . . Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH. |
Vapor Pressure |
38 mm Hg |
Odor Threshold Low |
1.7 ppm |
Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 34 ppm/4 hr |
Explanatory Notes |
1�hour SPEGL = 0.24 ppm; [NRC 1985] Odor threshold from CHEMINFO; |
Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
Flammability (NFPA) |
3: may ignite at ambient temperature |
Adverse Effects |
Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
Methemoglobinemia |
Methemoglobinemia, Secondary |
Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
Neurotoxin |
Other CNS Neurotoxin |
Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
Reproductive Toxin |
Yes |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: METHYLHYDRAZINE
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