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Chemical Datasheet

CHLOROPICRIN

6.1 - Poison Inhalation Hazard

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 76-06-2   (CHLOROPICRIN)
  • 1580
  • Poison Inhalation Hazard
  • CPL
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Chloropicrin
  • TRICHLORONITROMETHANE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
0
4 3
Blue Health 4 Can be lethal.
Red Flammability 0 Will not burn under typical fire conditions.
Yellow Instability 3 Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or explosive reaction but requires a strong initiating source or must be heated under confinement before initiation.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A slightly oily colorless to yellow liquid with a strong irritating odor. Noncombustible. Denser than water. Vapors are poisonous by inhalation and irritate eyes, nose, and throat.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Slightly soluble in water. Slowly decomposes in water.
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Compound forms a powerful tear gas when heated. Heated material may detonate under fire conditions. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Inhalation causes nausea, eye watering, vomiting, bronchitis, and pulmonary edema. Vapor is a powerful tear gas. Liquid irritates and burns skin and causes severe burns of eyes. Ingestion causes severe irritation of mouth and stomach. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
CHLOROPICRIN is a powerful irritant affecting all body surfaces, more toxic then chlorine. It can be shocked into detonation. When heated to decomposition, it emits highly toxic fumes of chlorine gas and nitrogen oxides [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 821]. It produces a violent reaction with aniline [Jackson, K. E., Chem. Rev., 1934, 14, p. 269] or strong bases in the presence of alcohols (alkoxides) [Ramsey, B. G., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1966, 88, p. 3059]. An insecticidal mixture of the nitrocompound and 3-bromopropyne exploded violently, initiated by an overheated pump during a railcar transfer operation, [BCISC Quart. Safety Summ., 1968, 39, 12].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 154 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1580 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 154 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.

LARGE FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam or water spray. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 154 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Chloropicrin:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.

Provide:
• EYEWASH - Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection.
• QUICK DRENCH - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Chlor trinitromethan 76-06-2 Liquid >480 >480
Chloro picrin 76-06-2 Liquid >480 >480
Nitro chlormethan 76-06-2 Liquid >480 >480
> indicates greater than.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital if advised by a physician. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • CCl3NO2
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: -92.6°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 16.9 mmHg at 68°F ; 40 mmHg at 92.8°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 5.7 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.64 at 77°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 234°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 164.37 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: 1 to 5 mg/mL at 72°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 2 ppm (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Interim AEGLs for Chloropicrin (76-06-2)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 0.05 ppm 0.15 ppm 2 ppm
30 minutes 0.05 ppm 0.15 ppm 2 ppm
60 minutes 0.05 ppm 0.15 ppm 1.4 ppm
4 hours 0.05 ppm 0.15 ppm 0.79 ppm
8 hours 0.05 ppm 0.15 ppm 0.58 ppm
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Chloropicrin (76-06-2) 0.075 ppm 0.15 ppm 1.5 ppm
(AIHA, 2022)

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Chloropicrin; (Trichloronitromethane) (76-06-2) 0.05 ppm 0.15 ppm 1.4 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Chloropicrin 76-06-2 313

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Chloropicrin 76-06-2 500 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names