NITROMETHANE

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
3 2 4	Health	2	Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
	Flammability	3	Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
	Instability	4	Readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or explosive reaction at normal temperatures and pressures.
	Special

A colorless oily liquid. Flash point 95°F. May violently decompose if intensely heated when contaminated. Denser than water and slightly soluble in water. Hence sinks in water. Vapors are heavier than air. Moderately toxic. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion.

• Highly Flammable
• Explosive
• Strong Oxidizing Agent

Highly flammable. Slightly soluble in water.

Behavior in Fire: Containers may explode (USCG, 1999)

Liquid may dry out skin and cause irritation. (USCG, 1999)

NITROMETHANE may explode if heated or strongly shocked, especially if mixed with acids, bases [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 687], acetone, aluminum powder, ammonium salts in the presence of organic solvents, haloforms (chloroform, bromoform), or hydrazine in methanol. Ignites on contact with alkyl aluminum or alkyl zinc halides. Reacts violently with strong bases (potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide), amines (1,2-diaminoethane, hydrazine), bromine, carbon disulfide, hydrocarbons, formaldehyde, metal oxides, lithium aluminum hydride, sodium hydride, strong oxidizing agents (lithium perchlorate, nitric acid, calcium hypochlorite). Reacts with aqueous silver nitrate to form explosive silver fulminate [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 183]. Mixtures of nitromethane and aluminum chloride may explode when organic matter is present [Chem. Eng. News 26:2257. 1948]. Nitromethane, either alone or in a mixture with methanol and castor oil, has a delayed but violent reaction with powdered calcium hypochlorite [Haz. Home Chem 1963]. Nitromethane reacts violently with hexamethylbenzene [Lewis 2544]. Nitromethane is strongly sensitized by hydrazine [Forshey, D. RR. et al, Explosivestoffe, 1969, 17(6), 125-129].

• Nitro, Nitroso, Nitrate, and Nitrite Compounds, Organic

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

• Cellulose-Based Absorbents
• Expanded Polymeric Absorbents

Excerpt from 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious)]:

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

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

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)

Excerpt from 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious)]:

CAUTION: The majority of these products have a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam. Do not use dry chemical extinguishers to control fires involving nitromethane (UN1261) or nitroethane (UN2842).

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. 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. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Nitromethane:

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 (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift. (NIOSH, 2023)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Nitro methane	75-52-5	Liquid				>480	233	233	>480	>480	>480

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)

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)

• METHANE, NITRO-
• NITROCARBOL
• NITROMETHANE