| Agent Name |
Tetranitromethane |
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| CAS Number |
509-14-8 |
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| Formula |
C-N4-O8 |
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| Major Category |
Toxic Gases & Vapors |
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| Synonyms |
Tetan; Tetranitromethane; [ChemIDplus] UN1510 |
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| Category |
Oxidizers |
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| Description |
Colorless to pale-yellow liquid or solid (below 57 degrees F) with a pungent odor; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used in rocket fuels, explosives, and diesel fuel; [ACGIH] |
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| Comments |
Mucous membrane and respiratory irritation, pulmonary edema, and methemoglobinemia have been reported after occupational exposure; similar toxicity plus kidney and liver damage have been observed in animal experiments; Listed in the table "Examples of Industrial Chemicals for Which Methemoglobin Formation is NOT the Principal Cause of Toxicity"; [ACGIH] Can cause reddening of skin if left on clothes; [CHRIS] A lachrymator; [CHEMINFO] A severe skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Can induce methemoglobinemia; May cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TIH |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
0.005 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
1 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
4 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Other animal data: Cats exposed to 10 ppm for 20 min died within ten days [Flury and Zernik 1931]. It has been reported that cats exposed to 7 to 25 ppm for periods ranging from 2.5 to 5 hours died within 1 to 5.5 hours [Sievers et al. 1947]. . . . Human data: It has been stated that concentrations above 5 ppm may cause irreversible lung and systemic damage [Koelsch 1917]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
8 mm Hg |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 18 ppm/4H |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Flash point > 235 deg F; |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
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| Methemoglobinemia |
Methemoglobinemia, Secondary |
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| Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
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| Lacrimator |
Yes |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Possible Carcinogen |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: TETRANITROMETHANE
|
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