Agent Name |
Nitroethane |
CAS Number |
79-24-3 |
Formula |
C2-H5-N-O2 |
Major Category |
Nitrogen Compounds |
Synonyms |
Nitroetan; [NIOSH] NE; [CHEMINFO] UN2842 |
Category |
Nitros, Aliphatic |
Description |
Colorless, oily liquid with a mild, fruity odor; [NIOSH] |
Sources/Uses |
Used as a propellant, a solvent for resins and waxes, and an intermediate for organic chemicals; [ACGIH] |
Comments |
Experimental animals tolerate hours or days of exposures at 500 ppm, but many die at concentrations of 1000 ppm. Pathological examination shows liver damage after lethal exposures. "Methemoglobinemia was no greater in animals that inhaled nitroethane than in those exposed only to room air." [ACGIH] "Tear drawing." An eye and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations can cause CNS depression; [ICSC] |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
TLV (ACGIH) |
100 ppm |
PEL (OSHA) |
100 ppm |
MAK |
100 ppm |
IDLH (NIOSH) |
1000 ppm |
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Other animal data: Guinea pigs survived both a 2�hour and a 3�hour exposure to 5,000 ppm [Machle et al. 1940]. Rats exposed to 2,200 ppm for 6 hours had no noticeable difficulty [IMCC 1979].
Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH; |
Vapor Pressure |
20.8 mm Hg |
Odor Threshold Low |
2.1 ppm |
Odor Threshold High |
200 ppm |
Lethal Concentration |
LCLo (rats) = 13,000 ppm/6H |
Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold from CHEMINFO; Flash point = 28 deg C; |
Flammability (NFPA) |
3: may ignite at ambient temperature |
Adverse Effects |
Lacrimator |
Yes |
Neurotoxin |
CNS Solvent Syndrome |
Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: NITROETHANE
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