Hydrazine

Synonyms

Diamine; Hydrazine (anhydrous); Hydrazine base; [NIOSH] Diamide; Nitrogen hydride (anhydrous); [ICSC] UN2029 (anhydrous); UN2030 (aqueous solution > 37% hydrazine); UN3293 (aqueous solution < 37% hydrazine); [HMT]

Category

Hydrazines

Description

Colorless, fuming, oily liquid with an ammonia-like odor; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as a rocket fuel, reducing agent, and additive to boiler water; [ACGIH] Hydrazine sulfate is used as a flux for soldering; [Marks, p. 318] Skin sensitization to hydrazine has also been reported in an explosives factory. [Kanerva, p. 1568] Hydrazine sulfate is used in photographic developers. [Kanerva, p. 1637] Hydrazine is used as a reducing agent in a nickel plating method that does not use electrodes. It is also used to treat water and to plate metal on glass, plastics, and fuel cells. Hydrazine sulfate is used in rare metal refining and as a biocide for fungi and mold. [NTP]

Comments

Liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact; [CHRIS] Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] A case of pulmonary edema following an inhalation exposure has been reported. [ACGIH] Patients poisoned by hydrazines may develop symptoms of CNS injury, methemoglobinemia, and liver damage. [HSDB] Allergic contact dermatitis from hydrazine in flux for soldering has been reported in electronic workers. [Marks, p. 318] [Hydrazine contact dermatitis from gold plating. Wrangsjo K, et al. Contact Dermatitis. 1986 Oct;15(4):244-5.] Allergic contact dermatitis reported in workers using solder containing hydrazine sulfate, hydrazine hydrobromide, or hydrazine hydrochloride; [Kanerva, p. 1801] 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] Hydrazine and hydrazine sulfate are "reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens." [NTP] Hydrazines antagonize GABA in the CNS causing excitation and seizures. Pyridoxine, vitamin B6, is a specific antidote for this effect. [AHLS, p. 426] See "Carcinogenicity of some industrial chemicals," Volume 115. [IARC, News Release, 23 February 2016]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Yes

0.01 ppm

1 ppm

50 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by Patty [1963] that a 4­hour exposure to 80 to 300 ppm killed 14 of 30 rats [Comstock et al. 1954]. . . . Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH;

14.4 mm Hg

3 ppm

Odor Threshold High

4 ppm

LC50 (rat) = 570 ppm/4H

Explanatory Notes

AIHA detection odor threshold AIHA (mean = 3.7 ppm); Short-term Public Emergency Exposure Guidance Levels (SPEGLs): 1­hour SPEGL: 0.12 ppm; Emergency Response Guidebook is for "hydrazine, anhydrous." Flash point = 100 deg F; VP from HSDB;

Reference Link #2

burn readily

0.5 ppm

5 ppm

30 ppm

Yes

Yes

MetHgb is secondary toxic effect

Other CNS neurotoxin

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

Skin burns

Probable (2a)

Anticipated human carcinogen

Confirmed Animal

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, allergic
• Encephalopathy, acute toxic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Electroplating
• Metal Extraction and Refining
• Petroleum Production and Refining
• Photographic Processing
• Semiconductor Manufacturing
• Sewer and Wastewater Treatment
• Soldering
• Using Disinfectants or Biocides

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Smoking cigarettes