Dinitrotoluene, all isomers

Agent Name
Dinitrotoluene, all isomers
CAS Number
25321-14-6
Formula
C7-H6-N2-O4
Major Category
Nitrogen Compounds
Dinitrotoluene, all isomers formula graphical representation
Synonyms
Benzene, methyldinitro-; Binitrotoluene; DNT; Dinitrophenylmethane; Dinitrotoluene; Dinitrotoluene,technical; Dinitrotoluol; Methyldinitrobenzene; Toluene, ar,ar-dinitro-; [ChemIDplus] UN1600; UN2038
Category
Nitros, Aromatic
Description
Orange-yellow crystalline solid with a characteristic odor; Note: Often shipped molten; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used in the synthesis of toluene diisocyanate and toluenediamine; 2,4-DNT is used to make dyes and military explosives; [ACGIH]
Comments
Like nitrobenzene and dinitrobenzene, DNT can cause methemoglobinemia. DNT is hepatotoxic in feeding studies of rats. High-dose feeding induces testicular atrophy in mice, rats, and dogs, but the effect was not been confirmed in studies of workers exposed to DNT. Two cohorts of workers exposed during the 1950s and 1960s were found to have increased risk for ischemic heart disease. A larger, additional study did not find any increased risk for exposed munition workers. Listed in the table "Examples of Industrial Chemicals for Which Methemoglobin Formation is NOT the Principal Cause of Toxicity"; [ACGIH] 2,4-Dinitrotoluene and 2,6-dinitrotoluene are classified by IARC as possible human carcinogens. For 3,5-dinitrotoluene the evidence of carcinogenicity is inadequate.
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

BEI
Methemoglobin in blood = 1.5% of hemoglobin during or at end of shift. [ACGIH]
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
0.2 mg/m3
PEL (OSHA)
1.5 mg/m3
IDLH (NIOSH)
50 mg/m3
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: Because no data on acute inhalation toxicity are available concerning the physiological response to dinitrotoluene, the chosen IDLH has been estimated from the oral cat minimal lethal dose of 27 mg/kg [White and Hay 1901 and Kuhls 1905 cited by Spector 1956]. . . . Human data: It has been reported that the toxic effects of dinitrotoluene are similar in character to those of other aromatic nitro compounds, such as dinitrobenzene [ACGIH 1991].
Vapor Pressure
0.0004 mm Hg
Explanatory Notes
Flash point = 207 deg C; VP from HSDB;
NFPA
must be preheated

Adverse Effects

Methemoglobinemia
MetHgb is secondary toxic effect
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Reproductive Toxin
Yes
ACGIH Carcinogen
Confirmed Animal

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.