TETRANITROMETHANE

A pale yellow liquid. Irritates skin and respiratory tract. Very toxic by inhalation. Difficult to ignite. Burns at a steady rate once ignited. Under prolonged exposure to fire or heat containers may rupture violently and rocket Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion.

• Explosive
• Strong Oxidizing Agent

Insoluble in water.

Spontaneous chemical reaction may produce fire. Material is a strong oxidizer. The potential for explosion is severe, especially when exposed to heat or to powerful oxidizing or reducing agents; or when shocked or heated. It is more easily detonated than TNT. Impurities can also cause explosion. The material is highly sensitive; hydrocarbons exposed to it form exceedingly sensitive explosives. When heated to decomposition, it emits highly toxic fumes of oxides of nitrogen. Shock will explode it. Avoid hydrocarbons, aluminum, toluene, cotton, aromatic nitro compounds, alkalis, metals and rubber. Avoid impurities, shock, heat, and reducing agents. (EPA, 1998)

Acute effects include irritation of the eyes and respiratory passages and mild burns to the skin. After more prolonged inhalation, headache and respiratory distress may occur. After prolonged exposure, central nervous system, heart, liver, and kidney damage can occur as well as pulmonary edema. (EPA, 1998)

Self-reactive. TETRANITROMETHANE is a weak, but highly sensitive explosive [Van Dolah 1967]. May decompose explosively if contaminated with combustible material. A propellant. Ignites upon contact with alcohols, amines, ammonia, beryllium alkyls, boranes, dicyanogen, hydrazines, hydrocarbons, hydrogen, nitroalkanes, powdered metals, silanes, or thiols [Bretherick 1979 p.174].

• 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 143 [Oxidizers (Unstable)]:

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 1510 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)

Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat. Cool containers that are exposed to flames with water from the side until well after fire is out. For massive fire, use unmanned hose holder or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn.

Extinguish small fires with water only, no dry chemicals or carbon dioxide. For large fires, flood the fire area with water. (EPA, 1998)

Excerpt from 143 [Oxidizers (Unstable)]:

Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.

SMALL SPILL: Flush area with large amounts of water.

LARGE SPILL: DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Tetranitromethane:

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: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises.

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. (NIOSH, 2023)

No information available.

Warning: Contact with eyes may result in severe damage to the cornea, conjunctiva, and blood vessels. Caution is advised.

Signs and Symptoms of Tetranitromethane Exposure: Acute exposure to tetranitromethane may result in irritation and burning of the skin, eye, and mucous membranes. Headache, light-headedness, drowsiness, slurred speech, pupillary dilation, increased salivation, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), abdominal pain, and spontaneous vomiting may occur. Chest pain, stridor, (high-pitched, noisy respirations), dyspnea (shortness breath), and pulmonary edema are also common. Apathy and mental confusion may develop, with progression to coma and death.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to tetranitromethane may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to tetranitromethane.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to tetranitromethane.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 30 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas twice with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
3. Vomiting may be induced with syrup of Ipecac. If elapsed time since ingestion of tetranitromethane is unknown or suspected to be greater than 30 minutes, do not induce vomiting and proceed to Step
4. Ipecac should not be administered to children under 6 months of age. Warning: Syrup of Ipecac should be administered only if victims are alert, have an active gag-reflex, and show no signs of impending seizure or coma. If ANY uncertainty exists, proceed to Step
4. The following dosages of Ipecac are recommended: children up to 1 year old, 10 mL (1/3 oz); children 1 to 12 years old, 15 mL (1/2 oz); adults, 30 mL (1 oz). Ambulate (walk) the victims and give large quantities of water. If vomiting has not occurred after 15 minutes, Ipecac may be readministered. Continue to ambulate and give water to the victims. If vomiting has not occurred within 15 minutes after second administration of Ipecac, administer activated charcoal.
4. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
5. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.
6. Transport to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

• METHANE, TETRANITRO
• METHANE, TETRANITRO-
• NCI-C55947
• TETAN
• TETRANITROMETHANE
• TNM