Methane, nitro-

RTECS #

PA9800000

CAS #

75-52-5
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods

Updated

March 2018

Molecular Weight

61.05

Molecular Formula

CH₃NO₂

Synonyms

Nitrocarbol
Nitrometan (Polish)
Nitromethane
Nitromethane (ACGIH:OSHA)

Tumorigenic Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
inhalation/mouse	lowest published toxic concentration: 750 ppm/6H/2Y- intermittent	Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria Eye: Tumors Liver: Tumors	NTPTR* NTP-TR-461,1997
inhalation/mouse	lowest published toxic concentration: 46350 mg/kg/103W- intermittent	Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors Endocrine: Tumors	NTIS** PB97-205967
inhalation/mouse	lowest published toxic concentration: 23175 mg/kg/103W- intermittent	Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors Endocrine: Tumors	NTIS** PB97-205967
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 9656.25 mg/kg/103W- intermittent	Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria Skin and Appendages: Tumors	NTIS** PB97-205967
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 188 ppm/6H/2Y- intermittent	Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria Skin and Appendages: Tumors	NTPTR* NTP-TR-461,1997

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
inhalation/guinea pig	Lowest published lethal concentration: 5000 ppm/3H		JIHTAB 22,315,1940
inhalation/monkey	Lowest published lethal concentration: 1000 ppm		INMEAF 16,441,1947
inhalation/mouse	Lowest published lethal concentration: 18 gm/m³/2H		85GMAT -,93,1982
inhalation/rabbit	Lowest published lethal concentration: 5000 ppm/6H		JIHTAB 22,315,1940
inhalation/rat	Lowest published lethal concentration: 12750 mg/m³/1H		NTIS** OTS0516767
intraperitoneal/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 110 mg/kg		KHFZAN 10(6),53,1976
intraperitoneal/rat	lowest published lethal dose: 1500 mg/kg		BSPLA9 (1),29,1973
intravenous/Dog	lowest published lethal dose: 800 mg/kg	Liver: Hepatitis (hepatocellular necrosis), zonal Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression	AMIHAB 11,102,1955
intravenous/rabbit	lowest published lethal dose: 750 mg/kg		AMIHAB 11,102,1955
oral/Dog	lowest published lethal dose: 125 mg/kg	Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in both tubules and glomeruli Liver: Hepatitis (hepatocellular necrosis), zonal	AMIHAB 11,102,1955
oral/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 950 mg/kg		GISAAA 32(9),9,1967
oral/rabbit	lowest published lethal dose: 750 mg/kg	Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity) Behavioral: Ataxia Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory stimulation	JIHTAB 22,315,1940
oral/rat	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 940 mg/kg		GISAAA 32(9),9,1967
skin/rabbit	Lethal dose: >2 gm/kg		NTIS** OTS0516767

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
inhalation/mouse	lowest published toxic concentration: 1500 ppm/6H/16D- intermittent	Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity) Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory stimulation Liver: Changes in liver weight	NTPTR* NTP-TR-461,1997
inhalation/mouse	lowest published toxic concentration: 188 ppm/6H/13W- intermittent	Olfaction: Deviated nasal septum Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in bladder weight	NTPTR* NTP-TR-461,1997
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 100 ppm/7H/2Y- intermittent	Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain	NTIS** OTS0530024
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 375 ppm/6H/16D- intermittent	Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Structural change in nerve or sheath Olfaction: Deviated nasal septum	NTPTR* NTP-TR-461,1997
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 1500 ppm/6H/13W- intermittent	Blood: Normocytic anemia Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain	NTPTR* NTP-TR-461,1997
oral/rabbit	lowest published toxic dose: 2275 mg/kg/26W- intermittent	Behavioral: Alteration of classical conditioning Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol) Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Transaminases	GISAAA 32(9),9,1967
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 2275 mg/kg/26W- intermittent	Behavioral: Alteration of classical conditioning Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol) Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Transaminases	GISAAA 32(9),9,1967
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 10500 µL/kg/15W- continuous	Liver: Other changes Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field	AMIHAB 11,102,1955

Reviews

Organization	Standard	Reference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)	Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 20 ppm	DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)	Threshold Limit Value-Confirmed animal carcinogen	DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Animal Sufficient Evidence	IMEMDT 77,564,2000
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Human Inadequate Evidence	IMEMDT 77,564,2000
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Human No Adequate Data	IMEMDT 77,564,2000
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Group 2B	IMEMDT 77,564,2000
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 543,201,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		ENTOX* -,247,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 584,1,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 566,49,2004
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 682,94,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TOLED5 204,148,2011

Standards and Regulations

Organization	Standard	Reference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-air	time-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m³)	DTLVS* 3,187,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIA	time-weighted average 20 ppm (50 mg/m³), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIA	MAK-TMW 100 ppm (250 mg/m³), skin, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUM	time-weighted average 20 ppm (51 mg/m³), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARK	time-weighted average 20 ppm (50 mg/m³), carc, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLAND	time-weighted average 20 ppm (51 mg/m³), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCE	VME 100 ppm (250 mg/m³), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELAND	time-weighted average 20 ppm (50 mg/m³), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPAN	2B carc, MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREA	time-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m³), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICO	time-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m³);short term exposure limit 150 ppm (375 mg/m³), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALAND	time-weighted average 20 ppm (50 mg/m³), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAY	time-weighted average 50 ppm (125 mg/m³), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERU	time-weighted average 20 ppm (50 mg/m³), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIA	short term exposure limit 30 mg/m³, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDEN	time-weighted average 20 ppm (50 mg/m³);short term exposure limit 50 ppm (130 mg/m³), JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLAND	MAK-week 100 ppm (250 mg/m³), skin, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDS	MAC-TGG 50 mg/m³, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINES	time-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m³), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEY	time-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m³), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOM	time-weighted average 100 ppm (254 mg/m³);short term exposure limit 150 ppm (381 mg/m³), OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)	8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m³)	CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)	8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m³)	CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)	8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m³)	CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)	8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (250 mg/m³)	CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

Organization	Standard	Reference
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983	Hazard Code 50910; Number of Industries 108; Total Number of Facilities 5853; Number of Occupations 92; Total Number of Employees Exposed 134803; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 46338
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974	Hazard Code 50910; Number of Industries 19; Total Number of Facilities 849; Number of Occupations 22; Total Number of Employees Exposed 14084

Status in Federal Agencies

Organization	Reference
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NCI Carcinogenesis Studies (inhal);clear evidence:mouse,rat
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Nitromethane, 2527
NTP 14th Report on Carcinogens,2016:Reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogen
NTP Carcinogenesis studies; on test (two year studies), October 2000

Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018

Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health