| Use | ROCKET FUEL; SOLVENT FOR ZEIN; USED IN COATING INDUSTRY
RACING FUEL ADDITIVE; MILITARY PROPELLANT; SOLVENT FOR CELLULOSIC CMPD, POLYMERS & WAXES; INT FOR NITRO & AMINO ALCOHOLS
| Apparent Color | Colorless Liquid;Oily Liquid
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| Odor | Disagreeable odor;Fruity odor
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| Boiling Point | 101.2 DEG C @ 760 mm Hg
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| Melting Point | -29 DEG C
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| Molecular Weight | 61.04
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| Misc |
MFG: VAPOR-PHASE NITRATION OF METHANE WITH NITRIC ACID
... BY INTERACTION OF SODIUM NITRITE AND SODIUM CHLOROACETATE
PH: WATER SOLN ARE ACID TO LITMUS; PH OF 0.01 MOLAR AQ SOLN: 6.12
SOL: 9.5% BY VOL IN WATER AT 20 DEG C; SOL IN ALCOHOL, ETHER, DIMETHYL FORMAMIDE ; SOL IN ETHER AND ACETONE ; Water solubility: 1.11X10+5 mg/l ; 11.1% in water @ 25 deg C
INDEX OF REFRACTION: 1.38056 AT 22 DEG C/D ; SADTLER REF NUMBER: 61 (IR, PRISM); MAX ABSORPTION (ALCOHOL): 260 NM (LOG E= 1.59) ; IR: 25 (Sadtler Research Laboratories IR Grating Collection) ; UV: 29 (Sadtler Research Laboratories Spectral Collection) ; NMR: 9146 (Sadtler Research Laboratories Spectral Collection) ; MASS: 41 (Atlas of Mass Spectral Data, John Wiley & Sons, New York) ; MASS: 10 (National Bureau of Standards EPA-NIH Mass Spectra Data Base, NSRDS-NBS-63)
37.0 dynes/cm @ 20 Deg C
VAP: 27.8 MM HG AT 20 DEG C
VISC: 0.647 cP @ 20 deg C
/Bulk Density/ ( Wt/gal)=9.5 lb
Heat of solution: -5 cal/g; Ratio of specific heats of vapor (Gas): 1.172
Solubility of water in nitromethane: 2.09% @ 25 deg C; coefficient of expansion 0.00115 cu m/deg C
Heat of formation (liq) @ 25 deg C= -113.1 kJ/mol
Henry's Law constant= 2.59X10-5 atm cu m/mol (calc)
DOT: Fire or Explosion: Flammable/combustible material; may be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. Container may explode in heat of fire. Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard.
Health Hazards: May be poisonous if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Contact may irritate or burn skin and eyes. Fire may produce irritating or poisonous gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.
Emergency Action: Keep unnecessary people away; isolate hazard area and deny entry. Stay upwind; keep out of low areas. Positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and structural firefighters' protective clothing will provide limited protection. Isolate for 1/2 mile in all directions if tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in fire. CALL CHEMTREC AT 1-800-424-9300 FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. If water pollution occurs, notify the appropriate authorities.
Fire: Small Fires: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam. Large Fires: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. Do not use dry chemical extinguishers to control fires involving nitromethane or nitroethane. Move container from fire area if you can do it without risk. Apply cooling water to sides of containers that are exposed to flames until well after fire is out. Stay away from ends of tanks. For massive fire in cargo area, use unmanned hose holder or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety device or any discoloration of tank due to fire.
Spill or Leak: Shut off ignition sources; no flares, smoking or flames in hazard area. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Water spray may reduce vapor; but it may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. Small Spills: Take up with sand or other noncombustible absorbent material and place into containers for later disposal. Large Spills: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal.
First Aid: Move victim to fresh air and call emergency medical care; if not breathing, give artificial respiration; if breathing is difficult, give oxygen. In case of contact with material, immediately flush eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes. Wash skin with soap and water. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes at the site.
DANGEROUS, WHEN EXPOSED TO HEAT; OXIDIZERS OR FLAME
NFPA: Health: 1. 1= Materials that, on exposure, would cause irritation, but only minor residual injury, including those requiring the use of an approved air-purifying respirator. These materials are only slightly hazardous to health and only breathing protection is needed.
Flammability: 3. 3= Includes Class IB and IC flammable liquids and materials that can be easily ignited under almost all normal temperature conditions. Water may be ineffective in controlling or extinguishing fires in such materials.
Reactivity: 3. 3= Includes materials that, in themselves, are capable of detonation, explosive decomposition, or explosive reaction, but which require a strong initiating source or heating under confinement. This includes materials that are sensitive to thermal and mechanical shock at elevated temperatures and pressures and materials that react explosively with water. Fires involving these materials should be fought from a protected location.
LOWER FLAMMABLE LIMIT: 7.3%; UPPER FLAMMABLE LIMIT NOT DETERMINED
FLASH PT: 95 deg F (Closed Cup)
AUTO: 785 DEG F
FIGHT FIRES FROM PROTECTED LOCATION OR MAXIMUM POSSIBLE DISTANCE. USE WATER SPRAY, DRY CHEMICAL, FOAM, OR CARBON DIOXIDE. USE WATER SPRAY TO KEEP FIRE EXPOSED CONTAINERS COOL.
If material /is/ on fire or involved in /a/ fire do not extinguish fire unless flow can be stopped. Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Solid streams of water may be ineffective. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. Use "alcohol" foam, or carbon dioxide.
If fire becomes uncontrollable or container is exposed to direct flame consider evacuation of one-third (1/3) mile radius.
Combustion may produce oxides of nitrogen and other irritants and toxic gases.
Vapors are heavier than air and may travel to a source of ignition and flash back.
Explosive decomposition begins at 599 deg F (315 deg C). May be detonated by nearby explosions.
/DURING REACTIONS OF/ ELECTRO-OXIDATION OF VARIOUS METHYL BENZENES /IN WHICH HEXAMETHYLBENZENE & NITROMETHANE WERE USED/ VIOLENT EXPLOSIONS OCCURRED AT AUXILIARY ELECTRODE.
Lower explosion limit 7.3% in air
Mixtures of nitromethane and aluminum chloride may explode when organic matter is present.
REACTIVITY: Amines; strong acids, alkalis and oxidizers; hydrocarbons and other combustible materials; metallic oxides.
Nitromethane, ether alone or in a mixture with methanol and caster oil (model airplane fuel) has a delayed but violent reaction with powdered calcium hypochlorite, especially when confined, as in a plastic bag.
ODOR & SENSORY SYMPTOMS ARE NOT DEPENDABLE WARNING PROPERTIES.
Irritation of eyes, trachea, skin.
MILDLY IRRITATING TO SKIN & MUCOUS MEMBRANE.
Nitroparaffins, nitroderivatives of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, including nitromethane ... yield vapors which are irritating to the eyes.
EQUIPMENT: AIR MASK (DO NOT USE ORGANIC CANISTER); GOGGLES.
WEAR FULL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND POSITIVE PRESSURE SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS.
Wear neoprene gloves, plastic working clothes, self-contained breathing apparatus.
Wear appropriate equipment to prevent repeated contact with skin.
Recommendations for respirator selection: 1000 ppm: Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous flow mode. Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions: Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode. Any supplied-air respirator with a full face piece and operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode. Escape: Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus.
Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this chemical.
The scientific literature supports the wearing of contact lenses in industrial environments, as part of a program to protect the eye against chemical compounds and minerals causing eye irritation. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases contact lenses should not be worn.
If material /is/ not on fire and not involved in /a/ fire keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition away. Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Build dikes to contain flow as necessary. Attempt to stop leak if without undue personnel hazard. Use water spray to knock-down vapors.
Avoid breathing vapors. Keep upwind. Avoid bodily contact with the material. 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 material leaking (not on fire) consider evacuation from downwind area based on amount of material spilled, location and weather conditions.
Workers should wash promptly when skin becomes wet. Remove clothing immediately if it becomes wet (to avoid flammability hazard).
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 procedures 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.
Thermally unstable.
SHIPPING: No person may /transport,/ offer or accept a hazardous material for transportation in commerce unless that material is properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled, and in condition for shipment as required or authorized by ... /the hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR 171-177)./ [R1]
Domestic Transportation: Chemical: Nitromethane. Primary Hazard Class: Flammable liquid. A flammable liquid is any liquid that has a flash point below 100 deg F (37 deg C). UN 1261. Label(s) required: Flammable liquid. Acceptable Modes of Transportation: Air, rail, road, and water. [R2]
Int'l Air Shipments: Nitromethane is forbidden for transport on passenger and cargo aircraft.
International Water Shipments: Chemical: Nitromethane. IMO Class: 3.3; Flammable liquid. UN 1261. Packaging Group: II. Label(s) required: Flammable liquid. [R3]
STORAGE: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from amines, acids, bases, oxidizing materials, and metal oxides. Outside or detached storage is preferred.
CLEANUP: 1) REMOVE ALL IGNITION SOURCES. 2) VENTILATE AREA OF SPILL OR LEAK. 3) FOR SMALL QUANTITIES, ABSORB ON PAPER TOWELS & BURN IN COMBUSTION CHAMBER WHICH ALLOWS BURNING IN UNCONFINED CONDITION & IS EQUIPPED WITH EFFLUENT GAS CLEANING DEVICE. 4) LARGE QUANTITES CAN BE COLLECTED, DILUTED IN FUEL OIL & ATOMIZED IN SUITABLE COMBUSTION CHAMBER EQUIPPED WITH APPROPRIATE EFFLUENT GAS CLEANING DEVICE. LIQ ... SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER CONFINED SPACE, SUCH AS SEWER ... .
After covering the spills with soda ash, mix and spray with water. Scoop into a bucket of water and leave it stand for two hours. Neutralize with 6M-hydrogen chloride and pass into the drain with sufficient water.
ELIMINATE ALL IGNITION SOURCES. STOP OR CONTROL THE LEAK, IF THIS CAN BE DONE WITHOUT UNDUE RISK. USE WATER SPRAY TO COOL AND DISPERSE VAPORS AND PROTECT PERSONNEL.
DISPOSAL: Incineration. Large quantities of material may require nitrogen oxide removal by catalytic or scrubbing processes. [R4]
LIQ ... MAY BE DISPOSED ... BY DILUTING WITH FUEL OIL & ATOMIZING IN SUITABLE COMBUSTION CHAMBER EQUIPPED WITH EFFLUENT CLEANING DEVICE.
Flush eyes copiously. Wash contaminated areas of body with soap and water.
NITROMETHANE CAN CAUSE ... CNS DEPRESSION.
MILDLY IRRITATING TO SKIN & MUCOUS MEMBRANE.
Man: Severe toxic effects: 800 ppm= 2,028 mg/cu m/60 min; Symptoms of illness: 500 ppm= 1,268 mg/cu m
Toxic. Harmful if absorbed through skin or inhaled. Eye, nose and throat irritant. Causes dermatitis. Onset of symptoms may occur two to four hours after exposure.
Symptoms: Irritation of eyes, trachea, skin.
Toxic by ingestion and inhalation.
A patient who ingested a methanol/nitromethane mixture (model airplane fuel) showed an apparent plasma creatinine concentration of 8.0 mmol/l by the Jaff'e reaction when the actual creatinine concentration, as measured by a specific enzymatic method, was 0.09 mmol/l. This effect was due to nitromethane in the plasma. Interference by nitromethane with the determination of creatinine by reaction with alkaline picrate (the Jaff'e reaction) has not previously been reported. When nitromethane was added to plasma, the apparent creatinine measured was linearly related to the amount of nitromethane added. Comparison of spectral changes occurring during creatinine/picrate and nitromethane/picrate reactions show substantial similarity, suggeting a similar structure for the products. Although the findings are of interest for both their toxicological and analytical implications, the main interest lies with their suggestion of a model system for future investigation of the Jaff'e reaction. [R5]
CENTRAL NERVOUS DISTURBANCE ... PREDOMINANT EFFECT OF ACUTE /ORAL/ POISONING /IN RABBITS, 0.75-1 G/KG, DOGS, 20% EMULSION IN 0.3% METHYL CELLOSOLVE & MICE, 5% AQ SOLN/ INCL CONVULSIONS, TWITCHING & CEREBELLAR FITS ... /WEAKNESS/, ATAXIA & ATHETOID MOVEMENTS.
ANIMALS EXPOSED TO 30,000 PPM IN AIR FOR LONGER THAN 1 HR DEVELOPED ... NERVOUS SYSTEM SYMPTOMS. ... DURING EXPOSURE TO LOWER CONCN /10000 PPM/ ... SLIGHT IRRITATION OF RESP TRACT ... FOLLOWED BY MILD ... /SRP: CNS DEPRESSION/ & SALIVATION /IN RABBITS, GUINEA PIGS & MONKEYS/.
... CONCN OF 100 PPM FOR 48 HR WAS LETHAL TO 1 EXPOSED MONKEY, BUT CONCN OF 5000 PPM FOR 3 HR WAS REQUIRED TO KILL GUINEA PIGS; LETHAL EXPOSURE ... FOR RABBITS ... 2500 PPM FOR 12 HR OR 5000 PPM FOR 6 HR.
THREE OF 10 RATS GIVEN 0.25% NITROMETHANE IN ... DRINKING WATER FOR 15 WK & 4 OF 10 RATS GIVEN 0.1% DIED DURING COURSE OF EXPERIMENT. SURVIVING ANIMALS FAILED TO GAIN WT NORMALLY. ... EXAM SHOWED ... LIVER ABNORMALITIES.
HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES ... FOLLOWING ACUTE POISONING BY ALL ROUTES WERE CHIEFLY CONFINED TO LIVER & KIDNEYS WITH LIVER SHOWING MOST PROMINENT INJURY. SUBCAPSULAR DAMAGE, FOCAL NECROSIS, ... FATTY INFILTRATION, CONGESTION, & EDEMA ... OBSERVED /IN MONKEYS, GUINEA PIGS & RABBITS/.
SKIN APPLICATION ... DOES NOT PRODUCE IRRITATION OR DEATH IN ANIMALS.
POSSIBILITY OF PRODUCING HISTIDINEMIA BY SC INJECTIONS WITH 0.4 ML (PER 100 G BODY WT) OF 1.2 MOLAR SOLN OF NITROMETHANE EVERY OTHER DAY WAS INVESTIGATED /IN RATS/. LIVER HISTIDASE ACTIVITY DECR ABOUT 80% WHEN INJECTED SC FOR 18 DAYS. HISTIDINE CONCN IN LIVER & PLASMA WERE INCR TO PLATEAU OF 3-FOLD & 4-FOLD OF CONTROLS AFTER 6 DAYS. [R6]
NO METHEMOGLOBIN WAS FORMED IN RATS GIVEN SINGLE OR REPEATED IP INJECTIONS AT 0.11 TO 1.5 G/KG, BUT TRACE AMT WAS FOUND IN ANIMALS EXPOSED TO ATMOSPHERE CONTAINING 13,000 PPM. NITROMETHANE IS APPROX AS TOXIC AS NITROETHANE. [R7]
The sulfhemoglobinemia and methemoglobinemia formation activities of similar drugs were studied in mice after admin of one or three ip doses. After admin of a single dose, nitromethane did not produce methemoglobinemia. Nitromethane produced sulfhemoglobinemia only after admin of three consecutive doses. /Dose and frequency of admin not given/ [R8]
FIFTY MALE RATS & 15 MALE RABBITS WERE EXPOSED TO 98 OR 745 PPM, 5 DAYS/WK FOR APPROX 24 WK. 50 RATS & 15 RABBITS EXPOSED TO FILTERED AIR FOR SIMILAR LENGTHS OF TIME SERVED AS CONTROLS. RATS WERE SACRIFICED AT 2 & 10 DAYS, 1, 3 & 6 MO FOLLOWING EXPOSURE; RABBITS AT 1, 3 & 6 MO. EFFECTS OBSERVED WERE DECR BODY WT GAIN IN RATS FOLLOWING 8 WK OF EXPOSURE TO 745 PPM, & THYROID EFFECT EVIDENCED BY INCR THYROID WT & DECR SERUM THYROXINE LEVELS, MOST NOTABLE IN RABBITS. [R9]
DURING 6 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE AT 98 OR 745 PPM OF NITROMETHANE, ONLY MILD TO MODERATE SYMPTOMS OF TOXICITY WERE OBSERVED IN RATS AND RABBITS. A REDUCTION IN BODY WEIGHT GAIN WAS OBSERVED IN RATS EXPOSED AT 745 PPM OF NITROMETHANE. HEMATOCRIT AND HEMOGLOBIN LEVELS IN RATS WERE SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED FROM 10 DAYS THROUGH 6 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE TO 745 PPM NITROMETHANE. RABBITS ALSO PROVIDED SUGGESTION OF DEPRESSION IN HEMOGLOBIN LEVELS. ... ORNITHINE CARBAMYL TRANSFERASE IN RABBITS WAS ELEVATED AFTER 1 AND 3 MONTHS, BUT NOT 6 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE AT 745 PPM OF NITROMETHANE. NO APPARENT EFFECTS ON GLUTAMIC-PYRUVIC TRANSAMINASE IN BOTH SPECIES OR SERUM T4 ACTIVITY IN RATS WERE OBSERVED. SERUM T4, HOWEVER, WAS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANTLY DEPRESSED IN RABBITS EXPOSED AT EITHER 98 OR 745 PPM NITROMETHANE AT 6 MONTH TESTING ... AS WELL AS AT 1 MONTH SACRAFICE FOR RABBITS EXPOSED AT 745 PPM. HISTOPATHOLOGIC EVALUATION INDICATED NO EXPOSURE-RELATED ABNORMALITIES IN RATS DUE TO EXPOSURE TO 98 OR 745 PPM FOR UP TO 6 MO. SOME EVIDENCE OF PULMONARY EDEMA & OTHER PULMONARY ABNORMALITIES WAS OBSERVED IN RABBITS EXPOSED TO BOTH LEVELS OF NITROMETHANE FOR 1 MO. MOST IMPORTANT OBSERVATIONS ARE THAT INHALATION OF NITROMETHANE PRODUCES MILD IRRITATION & TOXICITY BEFORE ... /CNS DEPRESSION/ OCCURS & THAT LIVER DAMAGE CAN RESULT FROM REPEATED ADMIN AT LEVELS IN EXCESS OF 1000 PPM.
MALE 3 MO OLD WISTAR RATS DOSED IP WITH 200 MG/KG SHOWED INCR ACID PROTEINASE ACTIVITY IN BRAIN 4 HR AFTER INJECTION. CHANGE ACCOMPANIED BY MARGINAL INCR IN CEREBRAL GLUTATHIONE CONCN. HEPATIC EFFECTS RESTRICTED TO DECR CYTOCHROME C REDUCTASE ACTIVITY WITH PROLIFERATION OF SMOOTH ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM. [R10]
SHEEP GIVEN ORALLY OR INTRARUMINALLY NITROMETHANE SHOWED ALTERED RUMINAL GASES. ACTIVITY WAS NOT INFLUENCED BY ROUTE. [R11]
TESTED FOR PHYTOTOXICITY IN WHEAT, ALFALFA, SOYBEAN, TOBACCO, CORN, WHITE OAK & SCOTCH PINE. MAX DOSE WAS 25 MG/CU M. MINIMUM OR NO INJURY OBSERVED ON ANY OF PLANTS. [R12]
Nitromethane was found to be negative when tested for mutagenicity using the Salmonella/microsome preincubation assay. This reference reports on the testing of 270 chemicals, including nitromethane, using the standard protocol approved by the National Toxicology Program (NTP). The tests were performed by one or more of 3 different laboratories under contract to NTP. This test procedure includes testing of the chemical using a wide range of doses in as many as 5 Salmonella typhimurium strains (TA1535, TA1537, TA97, TA98, and TA100) in the presence and absence of rat and hamster liver S-9. Nitromethane was tested at doses of 0.100, 0.333, 1.000, 3.333, and 10.000 mg/plate. The highest ineffective dose tested in any Salmonella typhimurium strain was 10.000 mg/plate. [R13]
Nineteen nitro compounds, including nitromethane, were evaluated for mutagenicity, using a modification of the standard Salmonella typhimurium mutagenicity assay. A preincubation protocol was used which incorporated flavin mononucleotide to facilitate nitro reduction. Nitromethane was negative in the modified preincubation assay with flavin mononucleotide despite extensive nitro reduction that occurred in the preincubation with flavin mononucleotide. [R14]
Nitroparaffins, nitroderivatives of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, including nitromethane ... yield vapors which are irritating to the eyes.
The tumorigenicity of automobile exhaust condensate was investigated in Syrian golden hamsters. Hamsters were given intratracheal instillations of automobile exhaust condensate containing nitromethane. The test substances were instilled in the animals at 2 week intervals until natural death. Histological examinations were performed on lungs and tracheas of all hamsters. In general, the treatment had little or no effect on body weight or survival time of the hamsters. Hyperplasia and metaplasia were seen in tracheal, bronchial, and alveolar epithelium, along with deposits of instilled condensate. The author concludes that intratracheal instillation of condensed products in hamsters is not a sensitive test. [R15]
The hepatotoxic and mutagenic potentials of 2-nitropropane, nitromethane, and nitroethane were compared. Hepatotoxicity was assessed biochemically and histopathologically in BALB/c mice. In male mice, plasma activities of the hepatic enzymes sorbitol dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly elevated 48, 72, and 96 hr after ip admin of 9 mmol/kg 2-nitropropane, but not at 24 hr and not after admin of smaller doses of 2-nitropropane nor after nitromethane or nitroethane (9 mol/kg). In female mice a dose of 6.7 mmol/kg of 2-nitropropane was sufficient to cause hepatotoxicity. The histopathological evaluation supported the biochemial results, and livers of mice that had received 2-nitropropane (9 mmol/kg) showed damage, particularly in the periportal region. Mutagenicity was tested in Salmonella typhimurium tester strains TA98, TA100, and TA102. Both 2-nitropropane and its anionic form, propane-2-nitronate, were mutagenic but the nitronate was the more powerful mutagen. Nitromethane, nitroethane, nor their nitronates caused an increase in the number of revertant colonies over those seen in control plates. The results suggest that the primary nitroalkanes are much less hepatotoxic and mutagenic than 2-nitropropane. [R16]
LD50 Rat oral 940 mg/kg
LD50 Mouse oral 1440 mg/kg
LDLo Dog oral 125 mg/kg
LDLo Dog iv 750 mg/kg
LDLo Rabbit oral 750 mg/kg
NITROPARAFFINS ARE ABSORBED THROUGH LUNG & FROM GI TRACT. APPLICATIONS TO SKIN GIVE NO EVIDENCE OF SUFFICIENT ABSORPTION TO RESULT IN SYSTEMIC INJURY. /NITROPARAFFINS/
NITROMETHANE IS APPARENTLY METABOLIZED BY DIFFERENT MECHANISM THAN NITROETHANE & NITROPROPANE IN THAT NEGLIGIBLE AMT OF NITRITES ARE FOUND IN BLOOD FOLLOWING IV INJECTION OF 1 MMOL IN RABBITS.
RABBIT LIVER HOMOGENATE YIELDS NITRITE AFTER INCUBATION WITH NITROMETHANE. [R17]
LIVER MICROSOMES FROM PHENOBARBITAL PRETREATED RATS CONVERT NITROMETHANE TO ACETONE & NITRATE IN PRESENCE OF THE REDUCED FORM OF NICOTINAMIDE-ADENINE DINUCLEOTIDE PHOSPHATE & OXYGEN. ADDITION OF NITROMETHANE TO OXIDIZED RAT LIVER MICROSOMAL SUSPENSION GAVE RISE TO SUBSTRATE BINDING DIFFERENCE SPECTRUM WITH PEAK AT 437 NM, INTERPRETED AS FORMATION OF CYTOCHROME P450 NO COMPLEX. PARALLEL TO COMPLEX FORMATION, OXIDIZED RAT LIVER MICROSOMES CATALYZED PRODN OF FORMALDEHYDE FROM NITROMETHANE IN THE REDUCED FORM OF NICOTINAMIDE-ADENINE DINUCLEOTIDE PHOSPHATE-DEPENDENT REACTION. [R18]
A patient who ingested a methanol/nitromethane mixture (model airplane fuel) showed an apparent plasma creatinine concentration of 8.0 mmol/l by the Jaff'e reaction when the actual creatinine concentration, as measured by a specific enzymatic method, was 0.09 mmol/l. This effect was due to nitromethane in the plasma. Interference by nitromethane with the determination of creatinine by reaction with alkaline picrate (the Jaff'e reaction) has not previously been reported. When nitromethane was added to plasma, the apparent creatinine measured was linearly related to the amount of nitromethane added. Comparison of spectral changes occurring during creatinine/picrate and nitromethane/picrate reactions show substantial similarity, suggeting a similar structure for the products. Although the findings are of interest for both their toxicological and analytical implications, the main interest lies with their suggestion of a model system for future investigation of the Jaff'e reaction. [R5]
Nitromethane may enter the environment in connection with its manufacture and use as a solvent, rocket fuel, and gasoline additive, as well as in vehicle exhaust and cigarette smoke. In addition it is a byproduct in the manufacture of the explosives RDX and HMX. If released on land or in water, nitromethane would be lost primarily by volatilization. Its volatilization half-life from a model river is 28.7 hr. Since it is not adsorbed appreciably by soil, it may leach in soil. The degradation rate in soil is low. Nitromethane does not bioconcentrate in fish. Humans are exposed to nitromethane in occupational settings via inhalation and dermal contact. The general population is exposed via inhalation primarily from auto exhaust and cigarette smoke. (SRC)
Nitromethane may be released to the atmosphere or in water in conjunction with its use as a solvent for cellulosic compounds, polymers, waxes, and fats, rocket fuel, and gasoline additive(2). It is also released to the atmosphere in auto exhaust, cigarette smoke, and from turbine engines(3). Nitromethane is a byproduct in the manufacture of the munitions RDX and HMX and may therefore be released during their manufacture in wastewater and as air emissions(1). In 1984 in the U.S., these explosives were only manufactured in the Holston Army Ammunition Plant in Tennessee(1). [R19]
TERRESTRIAL FATE: If released on land nitromethane would be expected to volatilize rapidly due to its high vapor pressure, 35.8 mm Hg(1), high calculated Henry's Law constant, 2.59X10-5 atm cu m/mol(1-2,SRC), and low adsorptivity to soil(2-4). It also may leach into the soil where degradation should be low.(SRC) [R20]
AQUATIC FATE: If released in water, nitromethane will be lost by volatilization (half-lives 28.7 hr and 13 days in a model river and model pond, respectively(1-4)). Biodegradation in water may be important but only screening test data are available. It should not adsorb to sediment and particulate matter in the water column or bioconcentrate in fish. It may photodegrade in surface water, but no estimate of aqueous photodegradation rates is available(SRC). [R21]
ATMOSPHERIC FATE: In the atmosphere, nitromethane will degrade due to photolysis (half-life approximately 4-9 hr(1-2)). Reaction with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals is very slow (half-life 100 days(3-4)). [R22]
When incubated with activated sludges from 3 municipal treatment plants, nitromethane (500 mg/l) was oxidized to an insignificant amount by one of the three sludges and then only after a long acclimation period(1). At the concentration used, nitromethane appeared to be toxic to some sludges(1). When nitromethane was incubated with activated sludge, 36.2% mineralization occurred in 5 days(2). Degradation was low in a closed bottle biodegradability test, using a municipal sewage plant effluent innoculum, with 10% degradation occurring in 28 days(2). Aerobic and anaerobic degradation in soil is low; C14 studies performed with soil microorganisms resulted in 5.1% and 2.3% conversion to CO2, respectively in 35 days(2). During this time 23.7 and 59.3%, respectively, was lost as volatile products during the aerobic and anaerobic studies. [R23]
Nitromethane absorbs UV radiation >290 nm and undergoes primary dissociation to form free radicals(2). The half-life for photodissociation is 4.3 hr(1). Another study found the photodecomposition half-life for nitromethane in the presence of 5 ppm of NO to be 9.2 hr(4). Nitromethane was readily degradable in a solid surface photomineralization test with 4.4% mineralization to CO2 in 17 hr(3). Nitromethane reacts with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals with a rate constant at 22 deg C and 1 atmosphere pressure of 1.6X10-13 cu cm/molec-sec(5-6). The rate constant increases with increasing temperature and pressure which is consistent with the reaction proceeding by an addition mechanism(6). Assuming a hydroxyl radical concentration of 5X10+5 radicals/cu cm, the half-life of nitromethane in the atmosphere would be 100 days(SRC). [R24]
In a 3-day experiment performed with C-14 labelled nitromethane, the bioconcentration factor in fish was 1.4(1). Therefore, the accumulation of nitromethane in aquatic organisms is negligible(SRC). Bioconcentration factors for nitromethane estimated from its water solubility, 1.11X10+5 mg/l(2), and log octanol/water partition coefficient, -0.35(3), range from 0.1 to 1.5 using six recommended regression equations(4). The bioconcentration factor in algae (Chorella fusca), as determined in a 24-hr experiment, was 960, indicating a slightly elevated bioaccumulation in algae(1,SRC). [R25]
Koc values for nitromethane estimated from its water solubility, 1.11X10+5 mg/l(2), and log octanol/water partition coefficient, -0.35(3), range from 0.28 to 15 using six recommended regression equations(4). Therefore nitromethane should exhibit high mobility in soil(1). [R26]
The Henry's Law constant for nitromethane, calclulated from its vapor pressure, 35.8 mm Hg(1), and water solubility, 1.11X10+5 mg/l(2), is 2.59X10-5 atm cu m/mol. Using this value of the Henry's Law constant, one estimates that the half-life for volatilization from a model river 1 m deep, flowing 1 m/sec and with a wind speed of 3 m/sec is 28.7 hr(3,SRC). The volatilization half-life in a model pond is 13 days(4). [R21]
DRINKING WATER: In an EPA survey designed to discover the source of pollutants in drinking water in five cities, nitromethane was identified, but not quantified, in the raw water source of drinking water in Philadelphia, PA and Cincinnati, OH(1). These supplies were contaminated with municipal waste and industrial discharges, respectively. [R27]
The concentration of nitromethane in auto exhaust using nine hydrocarbon test fuels under simulated city driving conditions ranged from <0.8 to 5.0 ppm(1). [R28]
SOURCE DOMINATED: Maximum ground level concentrations of nitromethane at three sites on the boundary of an ammunition plant in Tennessee 0.21, 2, 2 ug/cu m(1). [R29]
Human milk from four urban areas: detected, but not quantified in 1 of 12 samples tested(1). [R30]
The general population will be exposed to nitromethane by inhalation from motor vehicle exhaust and cigarette smoke. Workers may be exposed via inhalation and dermal contact associated with its use as a solvent or a component of rocket fuels. (SRC)
NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-83) has statistically estimated that 70,467 workers may be exposed to nitromethane in the USA(1). [R31]
Human milk from four urban areas: detected, but not quantified in 1 of 12 samples tested(1). [R30]
NIOSH Method 2527. Analyte: Nitromethane. Matrix: Air. Sampler: Solid sorbent tube (chromosorb 106, 600 mg/300 mg). Flow Rate: 0.01 to 0.05 liters/min. Sample Size: 2 liters. Shipment: Separate front and back sorbent sections. Sample Stability: Stable 7 days @ 25 deg C.
... SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF PRIMARY NITROPARAFFINS /IN AIR/ UTILIZES COUPLING REACTION WITH P-DIAZOBENZENESULFONIC ACID ... NITROMETHANE CAN BE DETERMINED AT 440 MU ... .
MASS SPECTRA HAVE BEEN DETERMINED ON EIGHT C1-C4 MONONITROPARAFFINS /IN AIR/. NITROMETHANE ... ONLY MEMBER TO HAVE MAJOR PEAK AT ITS MASS WT, 61.
INFRARED ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY ... USED TO MONITOR ANIMAL INHALATION CHAMBER CONCN ... .
DETERMINATION OF ORGANIC POLLUTANTS FROM AMBIENT AIR USING GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY/MASS SPECTROMETRY/COMPUTER TECHNIQUES. [R36]
NIOSH Method 2527. Analyte: Nitromethane. Matrix: Air. Procedure: Gas chromatography, nitrogen-specific detector. For nitromethane this method has no estimated detection limit. The overall precision/RSD is 0.042 @ 0.34 to 1.34 mg/sample and the recovery is not given. Applicability: The working range is 60 to 360 ppm (150 to 900 mg/cu m) for a 2-liter air sample. Interferences: None.
USE OF PURGE & TRAP TECHNIQUE WITH CAPILLARY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY/MASS SPECTROMETRY/COMPUTER ANALYSIS FOR VOLATILE ORGANICS INCL NITROMETHANE IN LACTATING WOMEN & COW MILK WAS SUCCESSFUL. [R37]
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