Nitroglycerin

Agent Name
Nitroglycerin
CAS Number
55-63-0
Formula
C3-H5-N3-O9
Major Category
Other Uses
Nitroglycerin formula graphical representation
Synonyms
Glyceryl trinitrate; NG; 1,2,3-Propanetriol trinitrate; Trinitroglycerin; [NIOSH]
Category
Explosives
Description
Colorless to pale-yellow, viscous liquid or solid (below 56 degrees F). [Note: An explosive ingredient in dynamite (20-40%) with ethylene glycol dinitrate (80-60%).]; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used in the production of dynamite and other explosives, rocket fuel and pharmaceuticals; [HSDB]
Comments
Allergic contact dermatitis reported in workers manufacturing explosives and pharmaceuticals; [Kanerva, p. 1820] Listed by ACGIH in a table of agents that may cause methemoglobinemia in the nonoccupational setting;
Restricted
An OSHA Class A explosive (1910.109).
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
0.05 ppm
PEL (OSHA)
Ceiling(OSHA) = 0.2 ppm
MAK
0.01 ppm (Value applies for the sum of the concentrations of Ethylene glycol dinitrate, Nitroglycerin and Propylene glycol dinitrate in the air.)
IDLH (NIOSH)
8 ppm
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Human data: Headaches have developed in workers exposed to 0.4 to 0.67 mg/m3 for 25 minutes; all had decreases in blood pressure [Trainor and Jones 1966]. Ethylene glycol dinitrate and nitroglycerine are vasodilators and initial exposures result in headache, dizziness, nausea, or decreases in blood pressure; however, workers become tolerant of the vasodilatory activity after 2 to 4 days of exposure [NIOSH 1978]. It has been estimated that the lethal oral dose in humans is 200 mg although others have survived doses of 1,200 mg with no apparent ill effects [Rabinowitch 1944]. [Note: An oral dose of 200 mg is equivalent to a worker being exposed to about 150 mg/m3 for 30 minutes, assuming a breathing rate of 50 liters per minute and 100% absorption.]
Vapor Pressure
0.0003 mm Hg
Explanatory Notes
The Guide from to the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Nitroglycerin, solution in alcohol, with not more than 5% Nitroglycerin." VP = 0.0002 @ 20 deg C; [HSDB]
NFPA
may ignite at ambient temp

Adverse Effects

Skin Sensitizer
Yes
Methemoglobinemia
MetHgb is secondary toxic effect

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: