Nitroethane

IDLH Documentation
CAS number: 79­24­3

NIOSH REL: 100 ppm (310 mg/m3) TWA

Current OSHA PEL: 100 ppm (310 mg/m3) TWA

1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 100 ppm (307 mg/m3) TWA

Description of substance: Colorless, oily liquid with a mild, fruity odor.

LEL: . 3.4% (10% LEL, 3,400 ppm)

Original (SCP) IDLH: 1,000 ppm

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statements by Patty [1963] that exposure to 5,000 ppm for 2 hours was lethal to 1 of 2 rabbits and to 0 of 2 guinea pigs; exposure to the same concentration for 3 hours was fatal to 2 of 2 rabbits and to 0 of 2 guinea pigs [Machle et al. 1940].

Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:

Lethal concentration data:

Species
Reference
LC50

(ppm)
LCLo

(ppm)
Time
Adjusted 0.5-hr

LC (CF)
Derived value
RatIMCC 1979
LC100: 13,000
-----
6 hr
29,900 ppm (2.3)
2,990 ppm
MouseIzmerov et al. 1982
-----
6,250
2 hr
10,000 ppm (1.6)
1,000 ppm
RabbitMachle et al. 1940
5,000
-----
2 hr
8,000 ppm (1.6)
800 ppm
RabbitMachle et al. 1940
LC100: 5,000
-----
3 hr
9,000 ppm (1.8)
900 ppm

Other animal data: Guinea pigs survived both a 2­hour and a 3­hour exposure to 5,000 ppm [Machle et al. 1940]. Rats exposed to 2,200 ppm for 6 hours had no noticeable difficulty [IMCC 1979].

Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.

Revised IDLH: 1,000 ppm [Unchanged]

Basis for revised IDLH: Based on acute inhalation toxicity data in animals [Izmerov et al. 1982; Machle et al. 1940], the original IDLH for nitroethane (1,000 ppm) is not being revised at this time.

REFERENCES:

1. IMCC [1979]. Technical data sheet no. 21: nitromethane. Des Plaines, IL: International Minerals and Chemical Corporation, Inc., NP Division.

2. Izmerov NF, Sanotsky IV, Sidorov KK [1982]. Toxicometric parameters of industrial toxic chemicals under single exposure. Moscow, Russia: Centre of International Projects, GKNT, p. 93.

3. Machle W, Scott EW, Treon J [1940]. The physiological response of animals to some simple mononitroparaffins and to certain derivatives of these compounds. J Ind Hyg Toxicol 22(8):315­332.

4. Patty FA, ed. [1963]. Industrial hygiene and toxicology. 2nd rev. ed. Vol. II. Toxicology. New York, NY: Interscience Publishers, Inc., p. 2077. Go back to the Documentation for Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentrations (IDLHs)