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Chemical Datasheet

NICOTINE

6.1 - Poison

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 54-11-5
  • 22083-74-5
  • 1654
  • Poison
  • NIC
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Nicotine
  • NICOTINE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
1
3 0
Blue Health 3 Can cause serious or permanent injury.
Red Flammability 1 Must be preheated before ignition can occur.
Yellow Instability 0 Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A colorless to light yellow or brown liquid. Combustible. Toxic by inhalation and by skin absorption. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Flammable. Slightly soluble in water.
Fire Hazard
There is a moderate explosion hazard when exposed to heat or flame. When heated to decomposition, it emits nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and other highly toxic fumes. Avoid oxidizing materials. Stable under normal conditions. Avoid heat or flames. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
It is classified as super toxic. Probable oral lethal dose in humans is less than 5 mg/kg or a taste (less than 7 drops) for a 70 kg (150 lbs.) person. It may be assumed that ingestion of 40-60 mg of nicotine is lethal to humans. There is fundamental difference between acute toxicity from use of nicotine as insecticide or from ingestion, and chronic toxicity that may be caused by prolonged exposure to small doses as occurs in smoking. Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of spontaneous abortion, low birth weight and still-birth. Nicotine was found as a co-carcinogen in animals. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
An alkaloid produced from tobacco. Colorless, oily liquid, combustible, highly toxic. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 919].
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 absorbent listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 151 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic (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: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

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
Material too dangerous to health to expose firefighters. A few whiffs of the vapor could cause death; vapor or liquid could be fatal on penetrating firefighter's normal full protective clothing. Normal full protective clothing and breathing apparatus available to the average fire department will not provide adequate protection against inhalation or skin contact.

Extinguish with alcohol foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. Water may cause frothing if it gets below surface of liquid and turns to steam. However, water fog gently applied to surface will cause frothing which will extinguish the fire. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 151 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic (Non-Combustible)]:

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. Cover with plastic sheet to prevent spreading. 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 Nicotine:

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
Nicotine 54-11-5 Liquid >480 >480 >480 >480 >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
Warning: Seizures may be rapid in onset. Caution is advised.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Nicotine Exposure: Acute exposure to nicotine may result in headache, dizziness, confusion, agitation, restlessness, lethargy, seizures, and coma. Victims may experience hypertension (high blood pressure), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), and tachypnea (rapid respirations), followed by hypotension (low blood pressure), bradycardia (slow heart rate), and respiratory depression. Cardiac arrhythmias may also occur. Gastrointestinal effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or burning sensation, and diarrhea. Increased salivation, lacrimation (tearing), and sweating may be noted.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to nicotine 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 nicotine.
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. RUSH to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to nicotine.
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 15 minutes.
5. THOROUGHLY wash exposed skin areas 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. RUSH 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. DO NOT induce vomiting or attempt to neutralize!
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Give the victims water or milk: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Water or milk should be given only if victims are conscious and alert.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. RUSH to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C10H14N2
Flash Point: 203°F (NIOSH, 2023)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 0.75 % Low fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame. (EPA, 1998)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 4 % Low fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame. (EPA, 1998)
Autoignition Temperature: 471°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -110°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 1 mmHg at 143.24°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 5.61 (EPA, 1998) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.0097 at 68°F (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 476.1°F at 745 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 162.23 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: Miscible (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 8.01 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 5 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Nicotine; (Pyridine, (S)-3-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)-); (Includes DL-Nicotine, 22083-74-5) (54-11-5) 1.5 mg/m3 3.5 mg/m3 35 mg/m3 LEL = 7000 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
Nicotine 54-11-5 100 pounds 100 pounds 100 pounds 313c P075
Nicotine and salts 54-11-5 100 pounds 313c P075
Nicotine and salts N503 313
Pyridine, 3-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)-,(S)- , & salts 54-11-5 100 pounds 100 pounds 100 pounds 313c P075

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names