N-Nitroso-N-methylurea
Agent Name
N-Nitroso-N-methylurea
CAS Number
684-93-5
Formula
C2-H5-N3-O2
Major Category
Nitrogen Compounds
Synonyms
Methylnitrosourea; 1-Methyl-1-nitrosomocovina [Czech]; 1-Methyl-1-nitrosourea; 1-Nitroso-1-methylurea; Carbamide, N-methyl-N-nitroso-; MNU; Methylnitroso-harnstoff [German]; Methylnitrosouree [French]; N-Methyl-N-nitroso-harnstoff [German]; N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea; N-Nitroso-N-methyl-harnstoff [German]; N-Nitroso-N-methylcarbamide; NMH [German]; NMU; Nitrosomethylurea; O-Nitroso-N-methyl-harnstoff [German]; SKI 24464; SRI 859; Urea, N-methyl-N-nitroso-; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Nitrosamines
Description
Colorless or yellow solid; [HSDB]
Sources/Uses
Used as research chemical for its mutagenic effects on various plants; Formerly used to synthesize diazomethane in the laboratory; Not commercially produced in significant amounts; [HSDB]
Comments
Reported cause of allergic contact dermatitis; Mutagenic to human cells; Evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals; Teratogenic and embryotoxic; [HSDB] Sensitive to moisture and light; Decomposed slowly by water; A skin irritant; May cause skin rashes, leukopenia, and permanent eye injury; [CAMEO] Causes endocrine changes and decreased humoral immune response in intraperitoneal lethal-dose and toxic-dose studies of mice; Causes structural nerve changes in 6-day, intravenous study of rats; Causes changes in teeth in 16 week intermittent oral study of hamsters; [RTECS] May cause irritation; [Aldrich MSDS] See "NITROSAMINES."
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Vapor Pressure
0.029 mm Hg
Explanatory Notes
VP from ChemIDplus;
Adverse Effects
IARC Carcinogen
Probable (2a)
NTP Carcinogen
Anticipated human carcinogen
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.