Common Name: TETRANITROMETHANE

CAS Number: 509-14-8 RTK Substance number: 1836 DOT Number: UN 1510 (PIH) Date: September 2000 ------

HAZARD SUMMARY * Tetranitromethane can affect you when breathed in. federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 1910.1200, * Tetranitromethane should be handled as a requires private employers to provide similar training and CARCINOGEN--WITH EXTREME CAUTION. information to their employees. * Contact can irritate the skin and eyes. * Breathing Tetranitromethane can irritate the nose and * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely throat. evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area * Breathing Tetranitromethane can irritate the lungs air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher from your employer. You have a legal right to this exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs information under OSHA 1910.1020. (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health shortness of breath. problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational * High levels can interfere with the ability of the blood to diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. carry Oxygen causing headache, fatigue, dizziness, and a blue color to the skin and lips (methemoglobinemia). WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS Higher levels can cause trouble breathing, collapse and OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit even death. (PEL) is 1 ppm averaged over an 8-hour * Tetranitromethane may damage the liver and kidneys. workshift. * Repeated exposure to Tetranitromethane can cause low blood cell count (anemia) and can damage the nervous NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is system. 1 ppm averaged over a 10-hour workshift. * Tetranitromethane is a REACTIVE CHEMICAL and a DANGEROUS EXPLOSION HAZARD. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is * Tetranitromethane is a DOT Poison Inhalation Hazard 0.005 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift. (PIH). * Tetranitromethane may be a CARCINOGEN in humans. IDENTIFICATION There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so Tetranitromethane is a pale yellow liquid with a pungent all contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level. odor. It is used as a rocket , an additive to , and a reagent. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the REASON FOR CITATION site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or * Tetranitromethane is on the Hazardous Substance List enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, * Wear protective work clothing. DOT, NIOSH, DEP, IARC and EPA. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance Tetranitromethane and at the end of the workshift. List because it is a CARCINOGEN and REACTIVE. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In * Definitions are provided on page 5. addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING safety hazards of Tetranitromethane to potentially EXPOSED exposed workers. The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public employers to provide their employees with information and training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The TETRANITROMETHANE page 2 of 6

This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all * Complete blood count. potential and most severe health hazards that may result from * Liver and kidney function tests. exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the * Blood methemoglobin level. substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to * Exam of the nervous system. any of the potential effects described below. ------Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal immediately or shortly after exposure to Tetranitromethane: right to this information under OSHA 1910.1020.

* Contact can irritate the skin and eyes. Mixed Exposures * Breathing Tetranitromethane can irritate the nose and * Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung throat. cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may * Breathing Tetranitromethane can irritate the lungs worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time, exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe problems. shortness of breath. * Because more than light alcohol consumption can cause * High levels can interfere with the ability of the blood to liver damage, drinking alcohol can increase the liver carry Oxygen causing headache, fatigue, dizziness, and a damage caused by Tetranitromethane. blue color to the skin and lips (methemoglobinemia). Higher levels can cause trouble breathing, collapse and WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES even death. Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous Chronic Health Effects substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to some time after exposure to Tetranitromethane and can last enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at for months or years: the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is Cancer Hazard less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is * Tetranitromethane may be a CARCINOGEN in humans sometimes necessary. since it has been shown to cause lung and liver tumors in animals. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: * Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the to a carcinogen. Such substances may also have the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether potential for causing reproductive damage in humans. harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when Reproductive Hazard significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, In addition, the following controls are recommended: Tetranitromethane has not been tested for its ability to affect reproduction. * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Tetranitromethane from drums or other storage Other Long-Term Effects containers to process containers. * Tetranitromethane may damage the liver and kidneys. * Before entering a confined space where * Repeated exposure to Tetranitromethane can cause low Tetranitromethane may be present, check to make sure blood cell count (anemia) and can damage the nervous that an concentration does not exist. system. * Protect containers from shock and heat.

MEDICAL Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: Medical Testing If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by following are recommended: Tetranitromethane should change into clean clothing promptly. * Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure. TETRANITROMETHANE page 3 of 6

* Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family * Where the potential exists for exposure over 0.005 ppm, members could be exposed. use a MSHA/NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by with a chemical cartridge which is specifically approved individuals who have been informed of the hazards of for Tetranitromethane. Increased protection is obtained exposure to Tetranitromethane. from full facepiece powered-air purifying respirators. * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate * Exposure to 4 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and work area for emergency use. health. If the possibility of exposure above 4 ppm exists, * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing shower facilities should be provided. apparatus with a full facepiece operated in a pressure- * On skin contact with Tetranitromethane, immediately demand or other positive-pressure mode. wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have HANDLING AND STORAGE contacted Tetranitromethane, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Prior to working with Tetranitromethane you should be * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Tetranitromethane is trained on its proper handling and storage. handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be * Tetranitromethane is HIGHLY EXPLOSIVE when swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking, exposed to HEAT or SHOCK and forms explosive smoking, or using the toilet. mixtures with NITROBENZENE; NITROTOLUENES; 1,3-DINITROBENZENE; and 1-NITRO- PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT NAPHTHALENE. * Tetranitromethane must be stored to avoid contact with WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN ORGANIC MATERIALS; OXIDIZING AGENTS (such PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMAN- some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs GANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES, , done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace BROMINE and FLUORINE); REDUCING AGENTS; controls are being installed), personal protective equipment STRONG BASES (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and may be appropriate. POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE); FINELY DIVIDED METALS; IRON; IRON SALTS; COPPER; BRASS; OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the TOULENE; AMINES; and RUBBER since violent appropriate personal protective equipment for each hazard and reactions occur. to train employees on how and when to use protective * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated equipment. area away from COMBUSTIBLES. * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are The following recommendations are only guidelines and may prohibited where Tetranitromethane is used, handled, or not apply to every situation. stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. Clothing * Wherever Tetranitromethane is used, handled, * Avoid skin contact with Tetranitromethane. Wear manufactured, or stored, use explosion-proof electrical protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment equipment and fittings. suppliers/ manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS operation.

* All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic should be clean, available each day, and put on before health effects? work. A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result

from repeated exposures to a chemical. Eye Protection * Wear indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short- when working with liquids. term effects? * Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to * Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this make you immediately sick. substance. Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been Respiratory Protection exposed to chemicals? IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. A: The likelihood of becoming sick from chemicals is Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a increased as the amount of exposure increases. This is written program that takes into account workplace conditions, determined by the length of time and the amount of requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and material to which someone is exposed. medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. TETRANITROMETHANE page 4 of 6

Q: When are higher exposures more likely? ------A: Conditions which increase risk of exposure include The following information is available from: physical and mechanical processes (heating, pouring, spraying, spills and evaporation from large surface areas New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services such as open containers), and "confined space" Occupational Health Service exposures (working inside vats, reactors, boilers, small PO Box 360 rooms, etc.). Trenton, NJ 08625-0360 (609) 984-1863 Q: Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for (609) 292-5677 (fax) community residents? A: Yes. Exposures in the community, except possibly in Web address: http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/odisweb/ cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those found in the workplace. However, people in the Industrial Hygiene Information community may be exposed to contaminated water as Industrial hygienists are available to answer your questions well as to chemicals in the air over long periods. This regarding the control of chemical exposures using exhaust may be a problem for children or people who are already ventilation, special work practices, good housekeeping, good ill. hygiene practices, and personal protective equipment including respirators. In addition, they can help to interpret Q: Don't all chemicals cause cancer? the results of industrial hygiene survey data. A: No. Most chemicals tested by scientists are not cancer- causing. Medical Evaluation If you think you are becoming sick because of exposure to Q: Should I be concerned if a chemical causes cancer in chemicals at your workplace, you may call personnel at the animals? Department of Health and Senior Services, Occupational A: Yes. Most scientists agree that a chemical that causes Health Service, who can help you find the information you cancer in animals should be treated as a suspected human need. carcinogen unless proven otherwise. Public Presentations Q: But don't they test animals using much higher levels of a Presentations and educational programs on occupational chemical than people usually are exposed to? health or the Right to Know Act can be organized for labor A: Yes. That's so effects can be seen more clearly using unions, trade associations and other groups. fewer animals. But high doses alone don't cause cancer unless it's a cancer agent. In fact, a chemical that causes Right to Know Information Resources cancer in animals at high doses could cause cancer in The Right to Know Infoline (609) 984-2202 can answer humans exposed to low doses. questions about the identity and potential health effects of chemicals, list of educational materials in occupational health, references used to prepare the Fact Sheets, preparation of the Right to Know survey, education and training programs, labeling requirements, and general information regarding the Right to Know Act. Violations of the law should be reported to (609) 984-2202. ------

TETRANITROMETHANE page 5 of 6

DEFINITIONS

ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental NAERG is the North American Emergency Response Industrial Hygienists. It recommends upper limits (called Guidebook. It was jointly developed by Transport Canada, TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals. the United States Department of Transportation and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico. A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. It is a guide for first responders to quickly identify the specific or generic hazards of material involved in a transportation The CAS number is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts incident, and to protect themselves and the general public Service to identify a specific chemical. during the initial response phase of the incident.

A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will NCI is the National Cancer Institute, a federal agency that burn. determines the cancer-causing potential of chemicals.

A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It irreversible damage to human tissue or containers. classifies substances according to their fire and explosion hazard. DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves respirators, DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency conducts studies of workplace hazards, and proposes that regulates the transportation of chemicals. standards to OSHA.

EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards. chemicals and reviews evidence for cancer.

A fetus is an unborn human or animal. OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which adopts and enforces health and safety standards. A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will ignite easily and burn rapidly. PEOSHA is the Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Act, a state law which sets PELs for New Jersey public The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid employees. gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air. PIH is a DOT designation for chemicals which are Poison HHAG is the Human Health Assessment Group of the federal Inhalation Hazards. EPA. ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a measure of concentration by volume in air. scientific group that classifies chemicals according to their cancer-causing potential. A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases energy under certain conditions. A miscible substance is a liquid or gas that will evenly dissolve in another. A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by damaging the fetus. mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air. It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume). TLV is the Threshold Limit Value, the workplace exposure limit recommended by ACGIH. MSHA is the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the federal agency that regulates mining. It also evaluates and The vapor pressure is a measure of how readily a liquid or a approves respirators. solid mixes with air at its surface. A higher vapor pressure indicates a higher concentration of the substance in air and A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation therefore increases the likelihood of breathing it in. is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations can lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.

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Common Name: TETRANITROMETHANE ======DOT Number: UN 1510 (PIH) FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire NAERG Code: 143 department. You can request emergency information from the CAS Number: 509-14-8 following:

CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300 Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA NJDEP HOTLINE: 1-877-WARN-DEP FLAMMABILITY 1 - ======REACTIVITY 3 - COMBUSTIBLE AND REACTIVE HANDLING AND STORAGE (See page 3) POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE FIRST AID POISON INHALATION HAZARD In NJ, for POISON INFORMATION call 1-800-764-7661 Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least FIRE HAZARDS 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids.

* Tetranitromethane is a COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID which Skin Contact may explode when heated. * Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, alcohol or polymer with soap and water. foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, Breathing including Nitrogen Oxides. * Remove the person from exposure. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if * Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Tetranitromethane may become REACTIVE when * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. contaminated. * Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. delayed.

SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES PHYSICAL DATA

If Tetranitromethane is spilled or leaked, take the following o o steps: Vapor Pressure: 8 mm Hg at 68 F (20 C) Flash Point: greater than 230oF (110oC) * Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from Water Solubility: Insoluble area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES * Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material and deposit in sealed containers. Chemical Name: * Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete. Methane, Tetranitro- * Keep Tetranitromethane out of a confined space, such as a sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the Other Names: sewer is designed to prevent the build-up of explosive TNM; Tetan concentrations. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of ------Tetranitromethane as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial your state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or purposes. your regional office of the federal Environmental Protection ------Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND * If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be SENIOR SERVICES properly trained and equipped. OSHA 1910.120(q) may be Right to Know Program applicable. PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 (609) 984-2202 ------