Agent Name |
Nitroglycerin |
CAS Number |
55-63-0 |
Formula |
C3-H5-N3-O9 |
Major Category |
Other Uses |
Synonyms |
Glyceryl trinitrate; NG; 1,2,3-Propanetriol trinitrate; Trinitroglycerin; [NIOSH] |
Category |
Explosives |
Description |
Colorless to pale-yellow, viscous liquid or solid (below 56 degrees F). [Note: An explosive ingredient in dynamite (20-40%) with ethylene glycol dinitrate (80-60%).]; [NIOSH] |
Sources/Uses |
Used in the production of dynamite and other explosives, rocket fuel and pharmaceuticals; [HSDB] |
Comments |
Allergic contact dermatitis reported in workers manufacturing explosives and pharmaceuticals; [Kanerva, p. 1163] Listed by ACGIH in a table of agents that may cause methemoglobinemia in the nonoccupational setting; |
Restricted |
An OSHA Class A explosive (1910.109). |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
TLV (ACGIH) |
0.05 ppm |
PEL (OSHA) | Ceiling(OSHA) =0.2 ppm |
IDLH (NIOSH) |
8 ppm |
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: Headaches have developed in workers exposed to 0.4 to 0.67 mg/m3 for 25 minutes; all had decreases in blood pressure [Trainor and Jones 1966]. Ethylene glycol dinitrate and nitroglycerine are vasodilators and initial exposures result in headache, dizziness, nausea, or decreases in blood pressure; however, workers become tolerant of the vasodilatory activity after 2 to 4 days of exposure [NIOSH 1978]. It has been estimated that the lethal oral dose in humans is 200 mg although others have survived doses of 1,200 mg with no apparent ill effects [Rabinowitch 1944]. [Note: An oral dose of 200 mg is equivalent to a worker being exposed to about 150 mg/m3 for 30 minutes, assuming a breathing rate of 50 liters per minute and 100% absorption.] |
Vapor Pressure |
0.0003 mm Hg |
Explanatory Notes |
The Guide from to the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Nitroglycerin, solution in alcohol, with not more than 5% Nitroglycerin." |
Flammability (NFPA) |
3: may ignite at ambient temperature |
Adverse Effects |
Methemoglobinemia |
Methemoglobinemia, Secondary |
Skin Sensitizer |
Yes |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: NITROGLYCERIN
|