| Use | MILITARY EXPLOSIVE USED IN BOMBS &
GRENADES
INTERMEDIATE IN DYESTUFFS & PHOTOGRAPHIC CHEMICALS
NEARLY 100% AS AN EXPLOSIVE FOR MILITARY USE; SMALL AMOUNTS MAY BE
USED FOR INDUSTRIAL EXPLOSIVE APPLICATIONS, SUCH AS DEEP WELL &
UNDERWATER BLASTING (1976)
| Apparent Color | Monoclinic Rhombohedra from alc;
Commercial crystals are yellow
|
|---|
| Odor | N/A
|
|---|
| Boiling Point | 240 DEG C (EXPLODES)
|
|---|
| Melting Point | 80.1 DEG C
|
|---|
| Molecular Weight | 227.13
|
|---|
| Misc |
DEN: 1.654 @ 20 DEG C/4 DEG C
OWPC: log Kow= 1.60
SOL: SOL LESS THAN 2,4,6-TRINITROPHENOL IN ALC, ETHER, CARBON DISULFIDE
; ABOUT 0.01% IN WATER @ 25 DEG C ; 1 G/700 ML BOILING WATER ; 0.1 G/0.4 CC
CHLOROFORM @ 18 DEG C ; 0.1 G/4 CC ETHER @ 18 DEG C ; 0.1 G/7 CC CARBON
TETRACHLORIDE
@ 18 DEG C ; 55.0 g/100 g in toluene at 20 deg C ; 72.1 g/100 g in methyl acetate at 20 deg C ;
109 g/100 g in acetone at 20 deg C ; 33.9 g/100 g in chlorobenzene at 20 deg C ; 67.0 g/100 g in
benzene at 20 deg C ; 18.7 g/100 g in
1,2- dichloroethane at 20 deg C ; 137 g/100 g in pyridine at 20 deg C
SPEC: MAX ABSORPTION: 225 NM (LOG E= 4.36) ; IR: 21886 (Sadtler Research
Laboratories Prism Collection) ; UV: 6-101 (Organic Electronic Spectral Data, Phillips et al,
John
Wiley & Sons, New York) ; NMR: 486 (Varian Associates NMR Spectra Cata
logue) ; Mass: 186 (Aldermaston, Eight Peak Index of Mass Spectra, UK)
CAN BE DISTILLED UNDER REDUCED PRESSURE; DIPOLE MOMENT 1.37
Heat of decomposition: 5.1 kJ/g
Hyproscopicty: 0.03% at 30% deg C and 90% humidity.
MUST BE DETONATED BY HIGH VELOCITY INITIATOR SUCH AS NITRAMINE OR
BY EFFICIENT CONCUSSION.
SAFE:
DOT: Health Hazards: Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes. Fire may produce irritating or
poisonous gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.
/Trinitrotoluene,
wet/
Emergency Action: Keep unnecessary people away; isolate hazard area and deny entry. Stay
upwind; keep out of low areas. Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and structural
firefighter's protective clothing will provide limited protection. CALL CHEMT
REC AT 1-800-424-9300 FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. If water pollution occurs, notify
the appropriate authorities. /Trinitrotoluene, wet/
Fire: Tire Fires: Flood with water; if no water is available, use dry chemical or dirt. CAUTION:
Tire fires may start again. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat. For
massive fire in cargo area, use unmanned hose holder or monit
or nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. /Trinitrotoluene, wet/
Spill or Leak: Shut off ignition sources; no flares, smoking or flames in hazard area. Do not
touch
spilled material. Small Spills: Flush area with flooding amounts of water. Large Spills: Wet
down
with water and dike for later disposal. /Trinitrotoluene
, wet/
First Aid: Move victim to fresh air; call emergency medical care. Remove and isolate
contaminated clothing and shoes at the site. In case of contact with material, immediately flush
skin or eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes. /Trinitrotoluen
e, wet/
NFPA: Health: 2. 2= Materials hazardous to health, but areas may be entered freely with
self-contained breathing apparatus.
Flammability: 4. 4= Very flammable gases, very volatile flammable liquids, and materials that in
the form of dusts or mists readily form explosive mixt when dispersed in air. Shut off flow of
gas
or liq and keep cooling water streams on exposed tanks or
containers. Use water spray carefully in the vicinity of dusts so as not to create dust clouds.
Reactivity: 4. 4= Materials which in themselves are readily capable of detonation or of explosive
decomp or explosive reaction at normal temp and pressures. Includes materials which are
sensitive
to mechanical or localized thermal shock. If a chem with t
his hazard rating is in an advanced or massive fire, the area should be evacuated.
FIRE: If material /is/ on fire or involved in fire: dangerously explosive. Do not fight fires in a
cargo of explosives. Evacuate area and let burn. Avoid breathing dusts, and fumes from burning
material. /Trinitrotoluene, or TNT, dry or containing, by we
ight less than 30% water, explosive class 1.1 (High explosive, liquid)/.
If material /is/ on fire or involved in fire: dangerously explosive. Do not fight fires in a cargo of
explosives. Evacuate area and let burn. Avoid breathing dusts, and fumes from burning material.
/Trinitrotoluene, dry containing at least 10% water, ove
r 16 ounces in one outside package, Class A explosive./
If material /is/ on fire or involved in fire: dangerously explosive. Flood with water. Cool all
affected containers with flooding quantities of water, apply water from as far a distance as
possible. /Trinitrotoluene, wet (containing at least 10% water),
flammable solid/
PERSONAL PROTECTION: FOR RESCUE OPERATIONS, USE COMPLETE
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. FIGHT FIRES FROM EXPLOSION RESISTANT LOCATION.
IN ADVANCED OR MASSIVE FIRES, AREA SHOULD BE EVACUATED. IF FIRE
OCCURS IN VICINITY OF THIS MATERIAL WATER SHOULD BE USED TO KEEP
CONTAINERS COOL.
... WHEN HEATED TO DECOMP, EMITS HIGHLY TOXIC FUMES OF NO(X) ...
EXPLOSION: CLASSIFIED AS HIGH EXPLOSIVE. ... SUDDEN RAPID HEATING WILL
RESULT
IN DETONATION. LARGE QUANTITIES WILL DETONATE WHEN BURNED. STRONG
SHOCK OR ELEVATED TEMP (ABOUT 464 DEG F) WILL DETONATE TNT.
REACTIVITY: 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene and potassium hydroxide in methanol will interact even at
-65 deg C
to give explosive acid-nitro salts. ... The explosion temperature is lowered to 160 deg C by the
presence of a little potassium hydroxide.
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene ... in contact with nitric acid and lead or iron produces explosive
substances
which may readily be ignited by shock, friction or contact with nitric or sulfuric acids.
Reacts vigorously with reducing agents
2,4,6-TRINITROTOLUENE ... MAY CAUSE ... SKIN IRRITATION.
EQUP: WORKERS SHOULD BE SUPPLIED WITH PROTECTIVE CLOTHING THAT IS
LAUNDERED AT REGULAR INTERVALS.
Respirator selection: Upper limit devices recommended by ACGIH: For concn up 5.0 mg/cu m:
any supplied air respirator or any self-containedcu m use any supplied-air respirator operated in
a
continuous flow mode. For 25 mg/cu m: any supplied-air respirato
r with a full facepiece or any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece. For 1000
mg/cu m: any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece and operated in a pressure-demand or
other positive pressure mode. Emergency or planned entry in
unknown concn or IDLH conditions: any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
and operated in a pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode or any supplied-air respirator
with a full facepiece and operated in a pressure-demand or oth
er positive pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus
operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode. For escape: any air-purifying full
facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style or front- or b
ack-mounted organic vapor canister or any appropriate escape-type self-contained breathing
apparatus.
Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this chemical.
Contact lens use in industry is controversial. A survey of 100 corporations resulted in the
recommendation that each company establish their own contact lens use policy. One presumed
hazard of contact lens use is possible chemical entrapment. /It was/ fo
und that contact lens minimized injury or protected the eye. The eye was afforded more
protection from liquid irritants. Soft contact lenses do not worsen corneal damage from strong
chemicals and in some cases could actually protect the eye. Overall, the
literature supports the wearing of contact lenses in industrial environments as part of the
standard
eye protection, eg, face shields; however, more data are needed to establish the value of contact
lenses. [R4]
... ADEQUATE VENTILATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED. ... ADEQUATE WASHING
FACILITIES SHOULD BE AVAILABLE ...
When volunteers either handled or had standard soln of 2,4,6-tritrotoluene (100 mg/ml) applied
to
their palms, 90% of the residues were removed by the 1st washing, but subsequent washings
were
less efficient. TNT was still detected after 24 hr and approx
imately 12 washings. [R5]
If material not on fire and not involved in fire: keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition
away. Keep material wet. Wet spilled material before picking it up. Do not attempt to sweep up
dry material. /Trinitrotoluene or TNT, dry or containing b
y weight less than 30% water, explosive class 1.1 (high explosive, liquid)/
If material not on fire and not involved in fire: keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition
away. Keep material wet. Wet spilled material before picking it up. Do not attempt to sweep up
dry material. /Trinitrotoluene, dry containing at least 10
% water, over 16 ounces in one outside package/
If material not on fire and not involved in fire: keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition
away. Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Keep spilled material wet. Do not attempt
to sweep up dry material. /Trinitrotoluene, wet (containin
g at least 10% water), flammable solid/
If the material is on fire or involved in fire consider evacuation of one (1) mile radius.
/Trinitrotoluene, or tnt, dry or containing, by weight less than 30% water, explosive class 1.1
(High explosive, liquid)/
Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Wash
away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap
and water. If the material is on fire or involved in fire consider evac
uation of one (1) mile radius. /Trinitrotoluene, dry containing at least 10% water, over 16 ounces
in one outside package/
Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Wash
away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap
and water. If the material is on fire or involved in fire consider evac
uation of one (1) mile radius. /Trinitrotoluene, wet containing at least 10% water, flammable
solid/
Contaminated protective clothing should be segregated in such a manner so that there
is no direct personal contact by personnel who handle, dispose, or clean the clothing. Quality
assurance to ascertain the completeness of the cleaning procedur
es should be implemented before the decontaminated protective clothing is returned for reuse by
the workers. Contaminated clothing should not be taken home at end of shift, but should remain
at employee's place of work for cleaning.
SHIPPING: Whenever hazardous materials are to be transported, Title 49 CFR, Transportation,
Parts
100-180, published by the US Dept of Transportation, contain the regulatory requirements and
must be consulted. [R6]
Int'l Air Shipments: Shipping description: Trinitrotoluene, dry or wetted, with less than 30%
water, by weight, IMO 1.1D, UN 0209. Packaging Instructions: Forbidden (passenger):
Forbidden (cargo). /Trinitrotoluene, dry or wetted, with less than 30% water
, by weight/
Shipping description: Trinitrotoluene, wetted with, by weight, at least 10% water, IMO 4.1, UN
1356. Label(s) required: Flammable solid. /Trinitrotoluene, wetted with, by weight, at least 10%
water/ [R7]
Shipping description: Trinitrotoluene, dry or wetted with less than 30% water, by weight, IMO
1.1D, UN 0209. Label(s) required: Explosive (1.1D). /Trinitrotoluene, dry or wetted with less
than 30% water, by weight/ [R7]
Water shipments: Shipping description: Trinitrotoluene, dry or wetted, with less than 30% water,
by weight, IMO 1.1D, UN 0209. Label(s) required: Explosive (1.1D). /Trinitrotoluene, dry or
wetted less than 30% water, by weight/ [R8]
Int'l Air Shipments: Shipping description: Trinitrotoluene, wetted with, by weight, at least 10%
water, IMO 4.1, UN 1356. Label(s) required: Flammable solid. Packaging Instructions: 5.4.416
(passenger): 5.4.416 (cargo). /Trinitrotoluene, wetted with, by
weight, at least 10% water/
Int'l Air Shipments: Shipping description: Trinitrotoluene, wetted 30% or more water, by
weight,
IMO 4.1, UN 1356. Label(s) required: Flammable solid. Packaging Instructions: 5.4.416
(passenger): 5.4.416 (cargo). /Trinitrotoluene, wetted, 30% or more wat
er, by wieght/
Shipping description: Trinitrotoluene, wetted 30% or more water, by weight, IMO 4.1, UN
1356.
Label(s) required: Flammable solid. /Trinitrotoluene, wetted 30% or more water, by weight/
[R7]
Water shipments: Shipping description: Trinitrotoluene, wetted with, by weight, at least 10%
water, IMO 4.1, UN 1356. Label(s) required: Flammable solid. /Trinitrotoluene, wetted with, by
weight, at least 10% water/ [R8]
Water shipments: Shipping description: Trinitrotoluene, wetted, 30% or more water, by weight,
IMO 4.1, UN 1356. Label(s) required: Flammable solid. /Trinitrotoluene, wetted 30% or more
water, by weight/ [R8]
STRORAGE: STORE ONLY IN PERMANENT MAGAZINE. THIS HIGH EXPLOSIVE
SHOULD
BE KEPT WELL AWAY FROM INITIATOR EXPLOSIVES; PROTECTED FROM
PHYSICAL DAMAGE; SEPARATED FROM OXIDIZING MATERIALS, COMBUSTIBLES
& SOURCES OF HEAT.
CLEANUP: Physical treatments, such as sorption by activated carbon or ion exchange resins or
coagulation and filtration, are effective in removing TNT and other related cmpd present in
munitions mfg wastewater.
TNT was removed from wastewater using treatment by amines. [R9]
The feasibility was demonstrated of treating explosive-contaminated wastewater using an
oxidant
(hydrogen peroxide) in conjunction with short wavelength UV light. The process achieves a high
degree of decontamination without any troublesome by-products.
Water contaminated with TNT ... was successfully treated using this photooxidative method.
[R10]
DISPOSAL: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill)
disposal
practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue
(including waste sludge), consult with environmental
regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.
... Bench-scale composting of up to 10% TNT showed that almost complete removal of TNT
occurred in 55 days. Many of the toxic transformation products formed in activated sludge and
soil were not found in the composted TNT. ... Composted wastes of TNT and
other munitions must be examined for the leachability of undecomposed chem and
transformation
products prior to land treatment.
Pink water (mainly consists of alpha-2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (alpha-TNT) and various
concentrations
of nitrobodies such as RDX) was successfully oxidized electrochemically from a range of
60-105
ppm TNT to below acceptable disposal concn (0.5 ppm). The oxi
dation process does not produce any toxic by-products, and at an electrical cost of approximately
$2.00 per 1000 gal, is most competitive in comparison to present alternatives. [R11]
The following wastewater treatment technologies have been investigated for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene
Biological treatment, Activated Carbon, and Resin adsorption. [R12]
Methylene blue, alone or in combination with oxygen, is indicated as treatment in
nitrite-induced methemoglobinemia. /Nitrites/ [R13]
Workers should receive medical exam (in daylight to ensure detection of any skin
discoloration) at monthly intervals, and routine urine tests (Webster's test) are necessary to detect
evidence of absorption at an early date.
TNT may cause irritation of the eyes and skin among munitions workers exposed to its
dust or vapor. Toxic effects upon the optic nerve have been reported rarely. Cataracts have been
diagnosed in a considerable proportion of chronically exposed work
ers.
The severe hepatic disease caused by TNT (trinitrotoluene) was recorded among workers; in
mun.
... Susceptibility seemed greater among workers with direct manual contact with the agent,
especially those with grease on the skin. Women seem far more suscep
tible than men. ... Clinical features were those of acute or subactue hepatic necrosis. Onset of
illness was usually delayed for 1 to 4 months (at times even longer) from initial exposure. ... In
some instances illness did not appear until days or weeks
after cessation of exposure to TNT.
Early symptoms /of TNT poisoning/ consisted of fatigue, weakness, anorexia, and nausea. Some
patients had had overt methemoglobinemia, as manifested by cyanosis, but many patients
developed jaundice without having shown cyanosis. Jaundice usually followe
d the digestive complaints by several weeks. Prognosis was grim. Death occurred in about 25%
of
the approx 500 cases that occurred in Great Britain during World War I. Approx half the fatal
cases developed acute hepatic failure and died in hepatic coma w
ithin 5 to 30 days of the appearance of the jaundice.
The histologic /sign of TNT poisoning/ ... ranged from massive hepatic necrosis in patients who
had survived only a few days to varying degrees of fibrosis and architectural distortion
accompanying necrosis in patients who had survived for weeks or month
s. ... There were also extrahepatic manifestations of TNT toxicity. ... Methemoglobinemia was
far
more common than hepatic injury and, of course, reversible. Aplastic anemia, a ... more
common
result of exposure to TNT than was hepatic injury, was usuall
y fatal.
A YOUNG BOY APPARENTLY POISONED BY RESP &/OR PERCUTANEOUS
EXPOSURE PRESENTED WITH 43% METHEMOGLOBINEMIA ON FOLLOWING DAY.
CYANOSIS, DERMATITIS, JAUNDICE, ANEMIA, & PURPURA ARE SIGNS OF
CHRONIC INDUST POISONING. YOUNGER WORKMEN (ABOUT 30 YR OLD) TEND
TO D
EVELOP TOXIC HEPATITIS; OLD ... /ONES/ TEND TO DEVELOP APLASTIC ANEMIA.
AGENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ONSET OF OCCUPATIONALLY RELATED LIVER
DISORDERS ARE REVIEWED ACCORDING TO THE NATURE OF THE HEPATIC
INJURY THEY PRODUCE. TNT PRODUCES HEPATOCELLULAR DAMAGE. [R14]
STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT RISES IN GLUTAMIC OXALACETIC TRANSAMINASE
& LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE DETERMINATIONS OCCURRED @ EXPOSURES TO
TRINITROTOLUENE OF 0.8 MG/CU M & PERSISTED @ EXPOSURES OF 0.6 MG/CU M.
[R15]
A GROUP OF 54 TRINITROTOLUENE WORKERS WAS EXAMINED AFTER AVG
EXPOSURE TIME OF 13.9 YR. EIGHTY SEVEN PERCENT HAD CATARACTS &
PSYCHIATRIC INVESTIGATION SHOWED NEUROTIC SYMPTOMATOLOGY IN 43.5%.
[R16]
Twelve workers (nine men and three women with a mean age of 39.5 + or - 8.9 yr) with
occupational exposure to trinitrotoluene had a mean duration of exposure of 6.8 + or - 4.7 yr.
The
general physical findings were minimal, but ophthalmologic examination
s showed bilateral peripheral cataracts in six of the 12 workers. Cataracts were visible only with
maximal mydriasis and were continuous or annular opacities at the equator. Only one worker
with
and one without cataracts had increased serum alanine amino
transferase and bilirubin levels, possibly associated with trinitrotoluene. [R17]
DYSPNEA, COUGH, & DIZZINESS IN MEN HANDLING CRUDE TNT HAS BEEN
ATTRIBUTED TO TETRANITROMETHANE, AN IMPURITY ... .
TNT ... MAY CAUSE SNEEZING, SORE THROAT ... .
Toxic hepatitis has been the principal clinical manifestation of acute morbidity and mortality
historically associated with TNT exposure. Subclinical effects appear to be dose related, with
destruction of RBCs first appearing at exposures exceeding 0.5 m
g/cu m. At exposures exceeding 1.0 mg/cu m, significant shortening of RBC survival occurs,
although marked anemia is unlikely because of increased reticulocytosis of the bone marrow. At
TNT exposures between 0.5 and 1.0 mg/cu m, elevation of liver functi
on enzymes may occur, particularly in new employees or those recently exposed to higher TNT
concentrations. There may be marked individual differences in susceptibility to liver effects,
with
most individuals not showing effects unless TNT concentrations
considerably exceed 1.0 mg/cu m. It is noted that maintaining TNT expsoure below 0.5 mg/cu
m
will probably prevent any adverse liver effects. Frequent monitoring of liver function during the
first 3 months of employment for new workers is recommended. .
.. Lenticular opacities develop slowly over several years when exposures regularly exceed 1.0
mg/cu m. Most workers who develop opacities have other symptoms of TNT poisoning, and
several have significant liver dysfunction. [R18]
NTOX: AFTER 5 & 10 MO OF SKIN APPLICATION OF 225 MG/KG
TRINITROTOLUENE,
BLOOD HEMOGLOBIN LEVEL WAS DECR IN GUINEA PIGS. STASIS & DYSTROPHY
OCCURRED IN THE LIVER. RING CATARACT DEVELOPED IN THE EYES OF 53.5%
OF THE ANIMALS. [R19]
AFTER 6 MO OF TOPICAL APPLICATION OF 30% TRINITROTOLUENE 5 TIMES/WK
TO RATS, CHROMATID CHANGES, & CHROMOSOME BREAKS WITH
DISLOCATIONS
& OTHER CHANGES WERE OBSERVED IN TIBIA BONE MARROW CELLS OF 50% OF
ANIMALS TREATED. [R20]
TRINITROTOLUENE OF EXPLOSIVE GRADE IS MUTAGENIC TO SALMONELLA
TYPHIMURIUM. IT WAS DETECTED AS A FRAMESHIFT MUTAGEN THAT
ACCELERATES REVERSION RATE OF FRAMESHIFT TESTER, TA-98. HOWEVER,
THE
MAJOR MICROBIAL METABOLITES OF TNT APPEARED TO BE NONMUTAGENIC. I
T IS HIGHLY TOXIC TO MARINE FORMS WHICH INCL FRESH WATER
UNICELLULAR GREEN ALGAE (SELENASTRUM CAPRICORNUTUM), TIDEPOOL
COPEPODS (TIGRIOPUS CALIFORNICUS), & OYSTER LARVAE (CRASSOSTREA
GIGAS). [R21]
Dogs were dosed daily for up to 13 weeks with alpha-trinitrotoluene at 0, 0.2, 2.0, or 20 mg/kg
by capsule; rats received 0, 0.002, 0.01, 0.05, or 0.25% and mice received 0, 0.001, 0.005,
0.025,
or 0.125% alpha-TNT in their diets over the same period. Al
l species receiving the highest doses exhibited anemia, with reduced erythrocytes, hemoglobin,
and hematocrit. Alterations were observed in organ weight, including enlarged spleens
(accompanied by hemosiderosis) and livers and depressed body weight and/o
r body weight gain (temporary in dogs and mice). Alterations in clinical chemistry values
included
elevated cholesterol and depressed serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity in dogs and
rats;
no effect on serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase acti
vity was observed. Some effects, such as SGPT depression in rats, appeared after 13 weeks,
suggesting a cumulative toxicity. Reduced testes size was observed in rats at the highest dose
regardless of length of exposure. Most of the toxic effects were rev
ersible but testicular atrophy was not in rats allowed a 4 week recovery period after treatment.
Signs of anemia were present at intermediate dose levels. [R22]
When injected ip to male rats, trinitrotoluene (100 mg/kg) caused damage in cerebral, hepatic
and
renal biomembranes and cell organelles. Morphological studies showed damaged mitochondria,
dilatation of Golgi apparatus, vacuolization, swelling of cytopla
sm, and accumulation of lipid material. TNT increased UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity in
liver and kidney. Renal epoxide hydrolase activity was also enhanced. [R23]
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene gave positive responses in the P388 mouse lymphoma gene mutation assay
[R44]
A two-stage model waste water purifier consisting of an aerator inoculated with Azotobacter
agilis and an overflow basin inoculated with conventional sewage sludge accounted for a 99.6%
reduction of alpha-TNT at concn of 128 mg/l from a synthetic wastewa
ter(2). However only moderate amounts of oxygen were consumed, thus absorption probably
removed some of the alpha-TNT(3). BOD tests on pure alpha-TNT and TNT waste water from
the counter current-continuous flow TNT manufacturing process revealed that alp
ha-TNT was oxidized at slow rates(4,5). Alpha-TNT was also oxidized during BOD tests in
which the BOD water was supplemented with glucose(1). However attempts to relate BOD to
the
alpha-TNT removed were unsuccessful. It is likely that higher alpha-TNT co
ncentrations are toxic to certain TNT oxidizing microorganisms, which may prevent microbial
metabolism of alpha-TNT(3). [R45]
A treatability study employing static tube runs indicated that alpha-TNT can be oxidized at slow
rates from alpha-TNT waste diluted with the domestic waste of an Army Ammunition plant,
however the rate of bioadsorption or bioprecipitation was greater tha
n the oxidation rate(2). Furthermore, activated sludge acclimated to TNT-waste for 10 days was
used as inoculum for five differing continuous flow runs with alpha-TNT concn at 5 mg
intervals
between 5 and 25 mg/l. Fifteen treatability runs of three diffe
ring detention times for each concn maintained a 65% average alpha-TNT removal efficiency
and
generally the removal efficiencies tended to decrease with a decrease in detention time and
increase in alpha-TNT concn(2). A portion of the alpha-TNT loss was
due to bioadsorption on the activated sludge microorganisms and not due to molecular
transformation(1). Composting studies have shown that thermophilic microorganisms produce
the
same reduction products as mesophilic microbes, no ring cleavage occurs and
a large percentage of C14 labeled alpha-TNT is bound to the humus fraction(3,4,5). [R46]
Raw sewage was found to be ineffective in degrading alpha-TNT, however a sewage sludge
digester supernatant liquor caused a 64% reduction in alpha-TNT within 6 days(1). Alpha-TNT
was reduced by hydrogen in the presence of enzyme preparations from Veillon
ella alkalescens, an obligate anaerobe, as well as the aerobic systems of Escherichia coli and
Psuedomonas sp.(2). [R47]
Microbial degradation ... half-lives are longer (19-25 days) than the half-lives of photolysis and
occur after a lag period (13-20 days). The rate of transformation is increased by the presence of
additional organic or nutritional material. [R48]
In lab microcosm studies...90% of a 10 ppm TNT solution was transformed following 3 days of
incubation. [R49]
Biological degration by bacterial and fungal species occurs slowly in the environment, with
slightly higher rates in the presence of other carbon sources. However ... biological degration ...
may not extend to cleavage of the TNT ring. [R50]
ABIO: Photochemical or chemical reactions of TNT and other cmpd in the waste /water/ result
in
the formation of a variety of azo and azoxy oligomers with 3 or 4 aromatic rings per molecule
and
many smaller molecules also. These cmpd are similar in struct
ure to some azo dyes.
GC-EC measurements demonstrated that a sea water solution at a pH of 8.1 with 95 ppm
2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (alpha-TNT) underwent no change in concn after 108 days(2), thus
evidencing the stability of alpha-TNT against hydrolysis in water under neutral co
nditions(1). Generally nitro-aromatics are resistant to hydrolysis(7,8) and thus alpha-TNT is not
expected to hydrolyse under environmental conditions(1,3). Photolysis studies comparing river
waters and distilled water have shown that the rate of alpha-T
NT photolysis is directly related to increases in pH(4,5) and organic matter content(6). The
photolytic rate of alpha-TNT also increased over time due to increased products of photolysis(6).
The rate constants for Sunlit Holston River Waconda Bay, Searsv
ille Pond and distilled waters were 1.2X10-3, 1.5X10-4, 5.8X10-4 and 1.7X10-5/sec,
respectively
which correspond to half-lives of about 10 min, 1.3 hrs, 20 min and 11.3 hrs(3). [R51]
In decreasing order of quantity;: 2,4,6-trinitrobenzaldehyde, 2,4,6-trinitrobenzonitrile,
1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, including trace amounts of 2,2',6,6'-tetranitro-4,4'-azoxytoluene,
4,4',6,6'-tetranitro-2-2'-azoxytoluene, 2',4-dimethyl-3-3',5,5'-tetranitro
-ONN-azoxybenzene and 2,4'-dimethyl-3,3',5,5'- tetranitro-ONN-azoxybenzene were identified
as
photolytic products of alpha-TNT(1). The principal evidence suggests transformation via a
triplet-
sensitized mechanism(2,3,4) which either permits a weak nucle
ophile to attack and remove a NO2- or X- group(3), or allows the formation of a complex with
humic acid that alters the UV absorbancies responsible for the photodegradation of
alpha-TNT(2). [R52]
Limited information regarding photolytic processes in soil suggest that alpha-TNT in surface
layers is photolyzed to trinitrobenzene and trinitrobenzaldehyde(1). The rate constant for the
vapor-phase reaction of alpha-TNT with photochemically produced hy
droxyl radicals has been estimated to be 1.46X10-13 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 deg C which
corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 110 days at an atmospheric concn of 5X10+5
hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(2). [R53]
The photolysis half-lives ... vary with seasons and latitude ... . Summer half-life for latitudes 20,
40, and 50 deg N was 14 hr; winter half-life for 20, 40, and 50 deg N was 22, 45, and 84 NW
respectively. [R54]
A study of natural Potomac River water spiked with 20 mg/l TNT and microbial sediments ...
/showed/ complete disappearance of TNT in 6-8 days in sunlight, while 730 days required for
90% disappearance in shade. [R55]
Based upon a water solubility of 130 ppm at 20 deg C(1), the bioconcentration factor
(BCF) for alpha-TNT can be estimated to be 40 from a recommended regression-derived
equation(2). These BCF values are not indicative of significant bioconcentratio
n. [R56]
Bioconcentration factors ... were 9.5 and 338 for muscle and visrera, respectively, of bluegills.
These values were point estimates from the uptake curve ... . [R27]
Bioconcentration factor estimates included 210 to 2030 for four, non-native fish species and a
calculated ... value of 20.5 (based on octanol water partition cooefficient). [R28]
Bioconcentration factor 11.5 /was determined from the estimated oil/ /water partition coefficient/
[R57]
KOC: Kp values for 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (alpha-TNT) sorption on 4 aquatic sediments
measured
5.5, 14.3, 16.5 and 22.2 after 24-hr equilibration time, suggesting that the sorption of alpha-TNT
is low(1). However most of the material absorbed is strongly
bound and desorption from sediment is slow(1). Furthermore sorption of alpha-TNT increases
with increases in pH and temperature(1). Transformation products of alpha-TNT may absorb to
sediments with the same intensity as alpha-TNT(1). Kp values of 5 sedim
ents averaged 53 with a range between 35 and 84(2). The corresponding Koc measures, which
range between 1100 and 1900 and average 1600(2), indicate a low soil
mobili2,4,6-trinitrotoluene
(alpha-TNT) in solution was lost to evaporation over an 18 day stri
pping experiment in which waste water from a TNT manufacturing process was aerated(4).
Based
upon a water solubility of 130 ppm at 20 deg C(1) and a vapor pressure of 1.99X10-4 mm Hg at
20 deg C(2), the Henry's Law Constant for alpha-TNT can be calculate
d to be 4.57X10-7 atm-cu m/mole(3). This value of Henry's Law Constant indicates extremely
slow volatilization from environmental waters(3). The volatilization half-life from a model river
(20 deg C; 1 meter deep flowing 1 m/sec with a wind speed of 3 m/
sec) has been estimated to be 119 days(3). [R59]
SURFACE WATER: For years waste munitions were discarded at sea.
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (alpha-TNT) was not detected in ocean waters near a dump site 200 miles
off the coast of Florida nor one 45 miles west of San Francisco(1). Neither was alpha-TNT
detected in sea water 172 miles south-southwest of Charleston SC, or 85 miles west of Flattery,
WA(2). [R60]
GROUND WATER: 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene was detected in contaminated groundwater beneath
and down gradient from the disposal beds of the Hawthorne Naval Ammunition Depot, NV at a
maximum concn of 620 ug/l(1). [R61]
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene was detected in the effluent water from the Radford TNT
Manufacturing Plant, Radford Va, at concn from 101 to 143 ppm(1). [R62]
Levels of nitrate nitrogen for trinitrotoluene (TNT) in industrial wastewaters was reported as
53-213 mg/l. /Trinitrotoluene/ [R63]
For years waste munitions were discarded at sea. 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene was not detected
in
ocean floor sediments near dump sites 172 miles south-southwest of Charleston SC, or 85 miles
west of Flattery, WA(1). [R64]
The 8 hr time weighted average TNT exposures ranged from ... <0.01 mg/cu m to 1.84
mg/cu m with ... 12.2% of the workers exposed to levels >0.5 mg/cu m. [R65]
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (alpha-TNT) is mainly used as a military explosive and
propellant(1). Hence alpha-TNT may be released into the environment in effluents generated at
sites where it is produced or used. The most probable exposure to 2,4,6-trini
trotoluene would be occupational exposure, which may occur through dermal contact or vapor
inhalation of alpha-TNT at sites where the compound is produced or used(1). [R66]
NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 69 workers are
potentially exposed to 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in the USA(1). [R67]
An interim /acceptable daily intake/ of 44.25 ug/l was calculated /from bioconcentration
factor and a no observable effect level/ for the protection of human health. [R68]
Based on USEPA (1980) guidlines ... a human acceptable daily intake of 0.28 mg/day /was
calculated/. Insertion of this /value/ into the human health criteria equation ... gives a human
health criterion of 134.96 ug/l. [R69]
OSHA: 8 hr Time-Weighted avg: 1.5 mg/cu m (skin). [R70]
Meets criteria for OSHA medical records rule. [R71]
TLV: 8 hr Time Weighted Avg (TWA) 0.5 mg/cu m, skin (1986)
Excursion Limit Recommendation: Excursions in worker exposure levels may exceed three
times
the TLV-TWA for no more than a total of 30 min during a work day, and under no
circumstances
should they exceed five times the TLV-TWA, provided that the TLV-TWA
is not exceeded.
BEI (Biological Exposure Index): Methemoglobin in blood during or end of shift is 1.5% of
hemoglobin. The determinant is usually present in a significant amt in biological specimens
collected from subjects who have not been occupationally exposed. Such b
ackground levels are incl in the BEI value. The determinant is nonspecific, since it is observed
after exposure to some other chemicals. These nonspecific tests are preferred because they are
easy to use and usually offer a better correlation with exposu
re than specific tests. In such instances, a BEI for a specific, less quantitative biological
determinant is recommended as a confirmatory test. The biological determinant is an indicator of
exposure to the chemical, but the quantitative interpretation o
f the measurements is ambiguous. /Methemoglobin inducers/
Tenax sorbents efficiently trap the vapors of trinitrotoluene at 2-40 ug/40 l air. [R72]
TOTAL NITROGEN IN TRINITROTOLUENE MANUFACTURING
WASTEWATERS WAS DETERMINED BY AUTOMATED CD REDN METHOD. [R73]
A GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY & AN AUTOMATED COLORIMETRIC METHOD FOR
DETERMINING TRINITROTOLUENE IN WASTE WATER WERE COMPARED. [R74]
Explosive components (including trinitrotoluene) were determined by high performance liquid
chromatography at a pendent mercury drop electrode. [R75]
The determination of trinitrotoluene vapors by chemiluminescence and the effect of
NADHoxidase in the TNTase reagent are discussed. [R76]
Samples of trinitrotoluene were identified by high performance liquid chromatography with
detection at 280 nm. [R77]
High performance liquid chromatography was used to separate nitroglycerin, ethylene glycol
dinitrate, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine, cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine, pentaerthritol
tetranitrate, and tetryl. Limits of detection were 0.0001-0.01 ug.
[R78]
Detection of explosives (including trinitrotoluene) in concn extracts by capillary column gas
chromatography with electron capture detection. [R79]
Single sweep polarography ... determined TNT concn in water as low as 50 ppb and is applicable
to both field and laboratory conditions. [R80]
A spectrophotometric method has been used online to monitor carbon columns in wastewater
treatment for TNT at concn as low as 0.1 ppm. [R81]
A fluorescent dyed quartenary ammonium ion exchange resin /detected/ TNT at 70 ppb levels in
wastewater after irradiation with UV. [R81]
Spectrometric methods ... include infared, nuclear magnetic resonance, x-ray, mass, negative-ion
mass, plasma chromatography mass (detected TNT in air at 10 pp trillion), and chemical
ionization mass. [R81]
The application of liquid chromatography/thermospray/mass spectrometry to the separation and
identification of commercial and military explosives was investigated. The liquid
chromatography
was performed using a reverse phase column with an isocratic mob
ile phase and a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min. These conditions resulted in retention times of <3 min
for
common explosives, permitting rapid analysis. The thermospray was operated in the filament-on
ionization mode which yielded unique spectra for ... trinitr
otoluene ... . [R82]
A high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry procedure is described
for
detn of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and its metabolites /in rabbit blood samples/. RP-8 reverse-phase
columns were used for high-performance liquid chromatography sepn;
acetonitrile-water of different concns was used as the mobile phase, and the UV detector
wavelength was 214 nm. [R83]
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