Report on Carcinogens
Nitromethane
(CAS# 75-52-5)
- Primary Uses or Exposures: Most of the nitromethane produced in the United States (85% to 90%) is used in the synthesis of nitromethane derivatives used as pharmaceuticals, agricultural soil fumigants, and industrial antimicrobials. Nitromethane also is used as a fuel or fuel additive with methanol in racing cars, boats, and model engines. It formerly was used in the explosives industry as a component in a binary explosive formulation with ammonium nitrate and in shaped charges, and it was used as a chemical stabilizer to prevent decomposition of various halogenated hydrocarbons.
- Nominated by: NIEHS
- Basis for Nomination: NTP Bioassay (TR-461) that reported clear evidence of carcinogenicity in male and female mice and in female rats and IARC1 classification as probably carcinogenic to humans based on sufficient evidence in experimental animals
- Current Status: Listed in the RoC as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen since the 11th RoC (2004)
1 International Agency For Research On Cancer (IARC)
Web page last updated on May 25, 2005