National Toxicology Program

(CAS# 75-52-5)

• Primary Uses or Exposures: Most of the nitromethane produced in the United States (85% to 90%) is used in the synthesis of nitromethane derivatives used as pharmaceuticals, agricultural soil fumigants, and industrial antimicrobials. Nitromethane also is used as a fuel or fuel additive with methanol in racing cars, boats, and model engines. It formerly was used in the explosives industry as a component in a binary explosive formulation with ammonium nitrate and in shaped charges, and it was used as a chemical stabilizer to prevent decomposition of various halogenated hydrocarbons.
• Nominated by: NIEHS
• Basis for Nomination: NTP Bioassay (TR-461) that reported clear evidence of carcinogenicity in male and female mice and in female rats and IARC¹ classification as probably carcinogenic to humans based on sufficient evidence in experimental animals
• Current Status: Listed in the RoC as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen since the 11th RoC (2004)

¹ International Agency For Research On Cancer (IARC)