| Agent Name |
Nitromethane |
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| CAS Number |
75-52-5 |
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| Formula |
C-H3-N-O2 |
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| Major Category |
Nitrogen Compounds |
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| Synonyms |
Nitrocarbol; [NIOSH] |
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| Category |
Nitros, Aliphatic |
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| Description |
Colorless, oily liquid with a disagreeable odor; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used as a stabilizer of halogenated organic solvents, a rocket and racing fuel, an explosive, and a chemical intermediate; [ACGIH] Also used as a solvent for cyanoacrylate adhesives, polymers, and waxes; [CHEMINFO] |
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| Comments |
The lethal oral dose in humans is between 0.5 and 5 g/kg. Nitromethane can cause respiratory irritation, narcosis, and possibly liver injury. Animals in subchronic inhalation studies suffer thyroid injury. [ACGIH] Not irritating to the skin; Relatively insensitive to detonation under conditions of normal temperature and pressure; [CHEMINFO] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; May cause CNS depression; May cause effects on the liver, kidneys, and peripheral nervous system after repeated exposures; "Will turn shock-sensitive if contaminated with acids, bases, metal oxides, hydrocarbons and other combustible materials." [ICSC] |
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| Reference Link |
Peripheral neuropathy in workers exposed to nitromethane. |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
20 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
100 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
750 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by Browning [1965] that with concentrations above 1,000 ppm, if the product of this and the time of exposure was greater than 1000 (e.g., 1,000 ppm for 3 hours) some of the animals, including 1 monkey, died. Also, AIHA [1961] reported severe eye irritation at 500 ppm [Machle et al. 1940]. . . . Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
28 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
3.5 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
100 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LCLo (rats) = 12,750 mg/m3/1H |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold from CHEMINFO; Flash point = 95-96 deg F; [CHEMINFO] |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
3: may ignite at ambient temperature |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Neurotoxin |
Other CNS Neurotoxin |
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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: NITROMETHANE
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