| Agent Name |
Nitroglycerin |
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| CAS Number |
55-63-0 |
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| Formula |
C3-H5-N3-O9 |
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| Major Category |
Nitrogen Compounds |
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| Synonyms |
Glyceryl trinitrate; NG; 1,2,3-Propanetriol trinitrate; Trinitroglycerin; [NIOSH] |
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| Category |
Explosives |
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| Description |
Colorless to pale-yellow, viscous liquid or solid (below 56 degrees F). [Note: An explosive ingredient in dynamite (20-40%) with ethylene glycol dinitrate (80-60%).]; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used in the production of dynamite and other explosives, rocket fuel and pharmaceuticals; [HSDB] |
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| Comments |
Allergic contact dermatitis reported in workers manufacturing explosives and pharmaceuticals; [Kanerva, p. 1163] Listed by ACGIH in a table of agents that may cause methemoglobinemia in the nonoccupational setting; |
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| Restricted |
An OSHA Class A explosive (1910.109). |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
0.05 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) | Ceiling(OSHA) =0.2 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
8 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: Headaches have developed in workers exposed to 0.4 to 0.67 mg/m3 for 25 minutes; all had decreases in blood pressure [Trainor and Jones 1966]. Ethylene glycol dinitrate and nitroglycerine are vasodilators and initial exposures result in headache, dizziness, nausea, or decreases in blood pressure; however, workers become tolerant of the vasodilatory activity after 2 to 4 days of exposure [NIOSH 1978]. It has been estimated that the lethal oral dose in humans is 200 mg although others have survived doses of 1,200 mg with no apparent ill effects [Rabinowitch 1944]. [Note: An oral dose of 200 mg is equivalent to a worker being exposed to about 150 mg/m3 for 30 minutes, assuming a breathing rate of 50 liters per minute and 100% absorption.] |
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| Vapor Pressure |
0.0003 mm Hg |
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| Explanatory Notes |
The Guide from to the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Nitroglycerin, solution in alcohol, with not more than 5% Nitroglycerin." |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
3: may ignite at ambient temperature |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Methemoglobinemia |
Methemoglobinemia, Secondary |
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| Skin Sensitizer |
Yes |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: NITROGLYCERIN
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