Agent Name |
Hydrazine |
CAS Number |
302-01-2 |
Formula |
H4-N2 |
Major Category |
Nitrogen Compounds |
Synonyms |
Diamine; Hydrazine (anhydrous); Hydrazine base; [NIOSH] Diamide; Nitrogen hydride (anhydrous); [ICSC] UN2029 (anhydrous); UN2030 (aqueous solution > 37% hydrazine); UN3293 (aqueous solution < 37% hydrazine); [HMT] |
Category |
Hydrazines |
Description |
Colorless, fuming, oily liquid with an ammonia-like odor; [NIOSH] |
Sources/Uses |
Used as a rocket fuel, reducing agent, and additive to boiler water; [ACGIH] Hydrazine sulfate is used as a flux for soldering; [Marks, p. 318] Skin sensitization to hydrazine has also been reported in an explosives factory. [Kanerva, p. 1008-9] Hydrazine sulfate is used in photographic developers. [Kanerva, p. 1055] Hydazine is used as a reducing agent in a nickel plating method that does not use electrodes. It is also used to treat water and to plate metal on glass, plastics, and fuel cells. Hydrazine sulfate is used in rare metal refining and as a biocide for fungi and mold. [NTP] |
Comments |
Liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact; [CHRIS] Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] A case of pulmonary edema following an inhalation exposure has been reported. [ACGIH] Patients poisoned by hydrazines may develop symptoms of CNS injury, methemoglobinemia, and liver damage. [HSDB] Allergic contact dermatitis from hydrazine in flux for soldering has been reported in electronic workers. [Marks, p. 318] [Hydrazine contact dermatitis from gold plating. Wrangsjo K, et al. Contact Dermatitis. 1986 Oct;15(4):244-5.] Allergic contact dermatitis reported in workers using solder containing hydrazine sulfate, hydrazine hydrobromide, or hydrazine hydrochloride; [Kanerva, p. 1156] 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] Hydrazine and hydazine sulfate are "reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens." [NTP] Hydrazines antagonize GABA in the CNS causing excitation and seizures. Pyrodoxine, vitamin B6, is a specific antidote for this effect. [AHLS, p. 426] |
Reference Link |
ATSDR - ToxFAQs - Hydrazines |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
TLV (ACGIH) |
0.01 ppm |
PEL (OSHA) |
1 ppm |
IDLH (NIOSH) |
50 ppm |
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by Patty [1963] that a 4�hour exposure to 80 to 300 ppm killed 14 of 30 rats [Comstock et al. 1954]. . . . Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH; |
Vapor Pressure |
14.4 mm Hg |
Odor Threshold Low |
3 ppm |
Odor Threshold High |
4 ppm |
Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 570 ppm/4H |
Explanatory Notes |
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 3.7 ppm); Short-term Public Emergency Exposure Guidance Levels (SPEGLs): 1�hour SPEGL: 0.12 ppm; The Guide from the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "hydrazine, anhydrous." Flash point = 100 deg F; |
Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
Flammability (NFPA) |
4: burns readily |
Adverse Effects |
Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
Methemoglobinemia |
Methemoglobinemia, Secondary |
Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
Skin Sensitizer |
Yes |
Neurotoxin |
Other CNS Neurotoxin |
Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
Reproductive Toxin |
Yes |
IARC Carcinogen |
Possible Carcinogen |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: HYDRAZINE
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