 |
Chemical Sampling Information: |
|
| Nitromethane |
|
General Description
Synonym: Nitrocarbol
OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1920
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 75-52-5
NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: PA9800000
Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1261 129
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Nitromethane: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 100 ppm, 250 mg/m3 TWA
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 100 ppm, 250 mg/m3 TWA
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 100 ppm, 250 mg/m3 TWA
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 20 ppm, 50 mg/m3 TWA; Appendix A3 - Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 100 ppm TWA; Appendix D - Substances With No Established RELs
Health Factors
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans.
NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 750 ppm
Potential symptoms: Dermatitis; irritation eyes, respiratory system, cough, sore throat; headache, drowsiness; nausea, vomiting; unconsciousness; sensorimotor polyneuropathy (2 cases reported); in animals: convulsions; liver damage; degeneration of olfactory and respiratory epithelium; sciatic nerve degeneration, hindlimb paralysis.
Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Mild (HE16); Narcosis (HE8); Nerve damage (HE7); Cumulative liver and lung damage (HE3).
Explosive, flammable (HE18)
Affected organs: Eyes, skin, CNS, liver, peripheral nervous system
Notes: 1) Vapor/air mixtures can be explosive; forms an explosive sodium salt that bursts into flame on contact with water. 2) Worker exposure may occur during use as an anti-corrosive in mixtures with methylchloroform and other degreasing or propellant halogenated hydrocarbons, a solvent for adhesives and acrylics, and in (or as) fuel by professional drag racers and racing hobbyists.
Date Last Revised: 06/30/2004
Literature Basis:
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Nitromethane.
- International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Nitromethane.
- Page, E.H., Pajeau, A.K., Arnold, T.C., Fincher, A.R. and Goddard, M.J.: Peripheral neuropathy in workers exposed to nitromethane. Am. J. Ind. Med. 40(1): 107-113, 2001.
- Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Nitromethane. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1721-1722.
- Webb, K.G. and Fowler, J.F., Jr.: Occupational allergic dermatitis to nitromethane. Am. J. Contact Dermat. 13(4): 201-202, 2002.
- [No authors listed]: Nitromethane. IARC Monogr. Eval. Carcinog. Risks Hum. 77: 487-501, 2000.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
-
sampling media: Chromosorb 106 Tube (600/300 mg sections, 60/80 mesh)
analytical solvent: Ethyl Acetate
maximum volume: 3 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/NPD
method reference: NIOSH Analytical Method (NIOSH 2527)
method classification: Fully Validated
note: Chromosorb 106 resin must be pre-extracted with acetone before use. Immediately after sampling, transfer front and back sections of sample tube to separate vials.
* All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Back to Top
www.osha.gov
