1,1-Dimethylhydrazine

Agent Name
1,1-Dimethylhydrazine
CAS Number
57-14-7
Formula
C2-H8-N2
Major Category
Nitrogen Compounds
1,1-Dimethylhydrazine formula graphical representation
Synonyms
Dimazine; DMH; UDMH; Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine; [NIOSH]
Category
Hydrazines
Description
Colorless liquid with an ammonia- or fish-like odor; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used in jet and rocket fuels, photography, and organic synthesis; also used to control plant growth and to absorb acid gases; [ACGIH]
Comments
Liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact; [CHRIS] Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] In animal experiments at 5 ppm, 6 hours/day, 5 days a week, 1,1-dimethylhydrazine causes neurological injury and hemolytic anemia. In several reported cases following industrial accidents, observed effects included neurological symptoms, pulmonary edema, and elevated liver enzymes. [ACGIH] Patients poisoned by hydrazines may develop methemoglobinemia and liver injury. [HSDB] In high-dose reproductive studies of animals, hydrazine derivatives (hydrazine, MMH, and UDMH) cause testicular damage and fetal loss, and hydrazine causes birth defects. [Frazier, p. 341-2] Danger of skin sensitization; [MAK]
Reference Link #1
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
TIH
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
0.01 ppm
PEL (OSHA)
0.5 ppm
IDLH (NIOSH)
15 ppm
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Other animal data: No adverse effects were noted in dogs exposed at 50, 200, and 600 ppm for 60, 15, and 5 minutes, respectively; only mild toxic responses were noted at 100, 400, and 1,200 ppm for 60, 15, and 5 minutes, respectively [Weeks et al. 1963].
Vapor Pressure
167 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
6.1 ppm
Odor Threshold High
14 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 252 ppm/4 hr
Explanatory Notes
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 9.2); VP from HSDB;
Reference Link #2
NFPA
burn readily

Adverse Effects

Skin Sensitizer
Yes
Toxic Pneumonitis
Yes
Methemoglobinemia
MetHgb is secondary toxic effect
Neurotoxin
Other CNS neurotoxin
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Reproductive Toxin
Yes
Dermatotoxin
Skin burns
IARC Carcinogen
Possible (2b)
NTP Carcinogen
Anticipated human carcinogen
ACGIH Carcinogen
Confirmed Animal

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: