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Chemical Datasheet

MECHLORETHAMINE

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 51-75-2   (MECHLORETHAMINE)
none data unavailable none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none none
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Mobile liquid; faint odor of herring. Used as a drug for the treatment of cancer. Formerly used as a gas warfare agent.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
No rapid reaction with air. No rapid reaction with water.
Fire Hazard
Undiluted liquid decomposes on standing. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
Toxic doses as low as 400 mg/kg have been reported in humans. Blood clots may occur at site of intravenous injection and tissue damage if outside vein. Powerful vesicant (causes blisters) when it contacts skin, mucous membranes, or eyes. Delayed toxicity -- missed menstrual periods, alopecia (hair loss), hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in ears), jaundice, impaired spermatogenesis and germinal aplasia, swelling, and hypersensitivity. May damage fetus in pregnant women. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
MECHLORETHAMINE is a chlorinated amine. Amines are chemical bases. They neutralize acids to form salts plus water. These acid-base reactions are exothermic. The amount of heat that is evolved per mole of amine in a neutralization is largely independent of the strength of the amine as a base. Amines may be incompatible with isocyanates, halogenated organics, peroxides, phenols (acidic), epoxides, anhydrides, and acid halides. Flammable gaseous hydrogen is generated by amines in combination with strong reducing agents, such as hydrides.
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 153 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (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: If this material is being used as a weapon, see ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the 153 datasheet for unassigned UN/NA numbers Polymerizable warning. Otherwise 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
(Non-Specific -- Poisonous Liquid, n.o.s.) Stay upwind; keep out of low areas. Ventilate closed spaces before entering them. Wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and special protective clothing. Move container from fire area if you can do so without risk. Fight fire from maximum distance. Dike fire control water for later disposal; do not scatter the material.

(Non-Specific -- Poisonous Liquid, n.o.s.) Small fires: dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or foam. Large fires: water spray, fog, or foam. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
(Non-Specific -- Poisonous Liquid, n.o.s.) Keep unnecessary people away; isolate hazard area and deny entry. Stay upwind; keep out of low areas. Ventilate closed spaces before entering them. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing at the site. Do not touch spilled material; stop leak if you can do so without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors.

Small spills: absorb with sand or other noncombustible absorbent material and place into containers for later disposal.

Large spills: dike far ahead of spill for later disposal. (EPA, 1998)
Protective Clothing
For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit. (EPA, 1998)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Warning: Mechlorethamine is a strong irritant. Direct contact may result in severe dermal or corneal burns. Effects may be delayed.

Signs and Symptoms of Mechlorethamine Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to mechlorethamine may include strong irritation or burning of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Blisters, local phlebitis (irritation of a vein) and erythema (redness of the skin) may be noted. It may cause nausea, vomiting, and severe esophageal or gastrointestinal tract irritation if ingested. Bronchopneumonia, suppression of bone marrow activity, and hearing loss are possible longer term symptoms.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to mechlorethamine 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 mechlorethamine.
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 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for 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 mechlorethamine.
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 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes. Speed in removing material from the eyes is of extreme importance.
5. Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. Speed in removing material from skin is of extreme importance.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for 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 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support to all victims.
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. Rush to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C5H11Cl2N
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: -76°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.118 at 77°F (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 189°F at 18 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 156.07 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Interim AEGLs for Nitrogen Mustard-2 (51-75-2)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes NR 0.13 mg/m3 2.2 mg/m3
30 minutes NR 0.044 mg/m3 0.74 mg/m3
60 minutes NR 0.022 mg/m3 0.37 mg/m3
4 hours NR 0.0056 mg/m3 0.093 mg/m3
8 hours NR 0.0028 mg/m3 0.047 mg/m3
NR = Not recommended due to insufficient data
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Nitrogen mustard-2; (Bis(b-chloroethyl)methylamine) (51-75-2) 0.002 mg/m3 0.022 mg/m3 0.37 mg/m3
(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
2-Chloro-N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-methylethanamine 51-75-2 10 pounds 10 pounds X
Mechlorethamine 51-75-2 10 pounds 10 pounds X
Nitrogen mustard 51-75-2 10 pounds 10 pounds 313

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
HN2 (nitrogen mustard-2); [Bis(2-chloroethyl)methylamine] 51-75-2 CUM 100 grams CW/CWP

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names