| Agent Name |
Dinitrotoluene, all isomers |
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| CAS Number |
25321-14-6 |
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| Formula |
C7-H6-N2-O4 |
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| Major Category |
Nitrogen Compounds |
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| Synonyms |
Benzene, methyldinitro-; Binitrotoluene; DNT; Dinitrophenylmethane; Dinitrotoluene; Dinitrotoluene,technical; Dinitrotoluol; Methyldinitrobenzene; Toluene, ar,ar-dinitro-; [ChemIDplus] UN1600; UN2038 |
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| Category |
Nitros, Aromatic |
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| Description |
Orange-yellow crystalline solid with a characteristic odor; Note: Often shipped molten; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used in the synthesis of toluene diisocyanate and toluenediamine; 2,4-DNT is used to make dyes and military explosives; [ACGIH] |
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| Comments |
Like nitrobenzene and dinitrobenzene, DNT can cause methemoglobinemia. DNT is hepatoxic in feeding studies of rats. High-dose feeding induces testicular atrophy in mice, rats, and dogs, but the effect was not been confirmed in studies of workers exposed to DNT. Two cohorts of workers exposed during the 1950s and 1960s were found to have increased risk for ischemic heart disease. A larger, additional study did not find any increased risk for exposed munition workers. Listed in the table "Examples of Industrial Chemicals for Which Methemoglobin Formation is NOT the Principal Cause of Toxicity"; [ACGIH] Allergic contact dermatitis reported in a worker manufacturing explosives; [Kanerva, p. 1147] 2,4-Dinitrotoluene and 2,6-dinitrotoluene are classified by IARC as possible human carcinogens. For 3,5-dinitrotoluene the evidence of carcinogenicity is inadequate. |
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| Reference Link |
Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by nitroglycerin |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| BEI |
Methemoglobin in blood = 1.5% of hemoglobin during or at end of shift. [ACGIH] |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
0.2 mg/m3 |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
1.5 mg/m3 |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
50 mg/m3 |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: Because no data on acute inhalation toxicity are available concerning the physiological response to dinitrotoluene, the chosen IDLH has been estimated from the oral cat minimal lethal dose of 27 mg/kg [White and Hay 1901 and Kuhls 1905 cited by Spector 1956]. . . . Human data: It has been reported that the toxic effects of dinitrotoluene are similar in character to those of other aromatic nitro compounds, such as dinitrobenzene [ACGIH 1991]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
0.000397 mm Hg |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Flash point = 207 deg C; |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR ToxFAQs - Dinitrotoluene |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
1: must be preheated |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Methemoglobinemia |
Methemoglobinemia, Secondary |
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| Skin Sensitizer |
Yes |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
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| Reproductive Toxin |
Yes |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: DINITROTOLUENE
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