Toluene, 2,4,6-trinitro-

RTECS #
XU0175000
CAS #
118-96-7
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
July 2016
Molecular Weight
227.15
Molecular Formula
C7H5N3O6
Synonyms
2,4,6-Trinitrotolueen (Dutch)
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (ACGIH:OSHA)
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluol (German)
2-Methyl-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene
alpha-TNT
Benzene, 2-methyl-1,3,5-trinitro-
Entsufon
NCI-C56155
s-Trinitrotoluene
s-Trinitrotoluol
sym-Trinitrotoluene
sym-Trinitrotoluol
TNT
TNT (OSHA)
TNT-tolite (French)
Tolit
Tolite
Trinitrotoluene
Tritol
Triton
Trojnitrotoluen (Polish)
Trotyl
Trotyl oil

Skin and Eye Irritation and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
skin /rabbit 500 mg/24H mildNTIS** AD-B011-150

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
body fluid assaySalmonella typhimurium/rat50 mg/kgMUREAV 262,167,1991
DNA Damageother cell types/human50 µmol/L/12HMUTAEX 28,515,2013
DNA repairother cell types/human50 µmol/L/12HMUTAEX 28,515,2013
mutation in mammalian somatic cellslymphocyte/mouse40 mg/LCALEDQ 20,103,1983
mutation in microorganisms/Salmonella typhimurium10 µg/plate (+/-enzymatic activation step)NTIS** AD-A080-146
specific locus testovary/hamster30 ppm/5H (+/-enzymatic activation step)JJATDK 20,441,2000

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
oral/rat 5376 mg/kg (28D male)Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm ductJTEHD6 9,565,1982
oral/rat 3600 mg/kg (2W male)Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm duct

Reproductive: Paternal effects: Prostate, seminal vesicle, Cowper's gland, accessory glands
NEZAAQ 55,129,2000
oral/rat 2400 mg/kg (8W male)Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm ductWDZAEK 8,25,1994
oral/mouse 3 gm/kg (5D male)Reproductive: Paternal effects: Spermatogenesis (including genetic material, sperm morphology, motility, and count)WDZAEK 5,282,1991
oral/monkey 2250 mg/kg (13W male)Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm ductWDZAEK 8,89,1994

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 10 mg/kgVascular: BP elevation not characterized in autonomic section

Vascular: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other enzymes
ARTODN 79,705,2005
oral/cat lowest published lethal dose: 1850 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cyanosis

Skin: After systemic exposure: Dermatitis, allergic
MRCSAB 58,32,1921
oral/human lowest published lethal dose: 28 gm/kgBehavioral: Hallucinations, distorted perceptions

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cyanosis

Gastrointestinal: Other changes
34ZIAG -,610,1969
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 660 mg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Tremor

Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold
JTEHD6 9,565,1982
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 660 mg/kgENTOX* -,391,2005
oral/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 500 mg/kgBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cyanosis
MRCSAB 58,32,1921
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 795 mg/kgENTOX* -,391,2005
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 607 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory stimulation

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes in urine composition

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Inflammation, necrosis or scarring of bladder
IJTOFN 19,169,2000
subcutaneous/cat lowest published lethal dose: 200 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cyanosis

Skin: After systemic exposure: Dermatitis, allergic
MRCSAB 58,32,1921
subcutaneous/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 500 mg/kgBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cyanosis
MRCSAB 58,32,1921
Tank with water/Minnow lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 2.3 mg/L/10DEESADV 73,718,2010

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
oral/Dog lowest published toxic dose: 182 mg/kg/13W- continuousLiver: Changes in liver weight

Blood: Normocytic anemia

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
JTEHD6 9,565,1982
oral/Dog lowest published toxic dose: 1456 mg/kg/26W- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weight

Blood: Normocytic anemia

Blood: Changes in spleen
TXCYAC 63,233,1990
oral/domestic bird lowest published toxic dose: 3400 mg/kg/17D- intermittentBehavioral: Tremor

Behavioral: Ataxia

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
IJTOFN 24,221,2005
oral/domestic bird lowest published toxic dose: 6200 mg/kg/31D- intermittentBehavioral: Tremor

Behavioral: Ataxia

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
IJTOFN 24,221,2005
oral/domestic bird lowest published toxic dose: 4200 mg/kg/60D- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weight

Blood: Hemorrhage
IJTOFN 24,221,2005
oral/domestic bird lowest published toxic dose: 2000 mg/kg/10D- intermittentNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gainIJTOFN 24,221,2005
oral/domestic bird lowest published toxic dose: 7200 mg/kg/60D- intermittentGastrointestinal: Decreased motility or constipation

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Body temperature decrease

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in kidney weight
IJTOFN 24,221,2005
oral/domestic bird lowest published toxic dose: 7200 mg/kg/60D- intermittentRelated to Chronic Data: Changes in ovarian weightIJTOFN 24,221,2005
oral/domestic bird lowest published toxic dose: 12000 mg/kg/60D- intermittentReproductive: Paternal effects: Spermatogenesis (including genetic material, sperm morphology, motility, and count)IJTOFN 24,221,2005
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 7700 mg/kg/14D- continuousEndocrine: Changes in spleen weightIJTOFN 19,5,2000
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 924 mg/kg/14D- continuousImmunological Including Allergic: Decrease in cellular immune responseIJTOFN 19,5,2000
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 3962 mg/kg/14D- continuousEndocrine: Other changes

Blood: Changes in spleen
IJTOFN 19,5,2000
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 2030 mg/kg/14D- continuousBlood: Changes in spleenIJTOFN 19,5,2000
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 11 mg/kg/13W- continuousLiver: Changes in liver weight

Endocrine: Changes in spleen weight

Blood: Changes in spleen
JTEHD6 9,565,1982
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 3600 mg/kg/6W- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weight

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other transferases
JOCHFV 40,276,1998
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 560 mg/kg/14D- intermittentKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in tubules (including acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis)WDZAEK 6,135,1992
oral/quail lowest published toxic dose: 1358 mg/kg/14D- continuousLiver: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other enzymes
TOXID9 54,29,2000
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 531 mg/kg/7D- intermittentLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory stimulation

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Inflammation, necrosis or scarring of bladder

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
IJTOFN 19,169,2000
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 7200 mg/kg/6W- intermittentLiver: Other changes

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Related to Chronic Data: Changes in testicular weight
TOLED5 55,343,1991
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 11375 mg/kg/13W- continuousBehavioral: Food intake (animal)

Blood: Normocytic anemia

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
TXCYAC 32,253,1984
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 3 gm/kg/30D- intermittentLiver: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Monoamine oxidase

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Lipids including transport
GTPZAB 18(10),57,1974
subcutaneous/rabbit lowest published toxic dose: 4550 mg/kg/13W- intermittentLiver: Other changes

Blood: Other changes

Blood: Changes in leukocyte (WBC) count
NEZAAQ 18,175,1963
unreported route/rat lowest published toxic dose: 2800 mg/kg/8W- intermittentBlood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)WDZAEK 6,75,1992

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3 (skin)DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Animal Inadequate EvidenceIMEMDT 65,449,1996
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Human Inadequate EvidenceIMEMDT 65,449,1996
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Group 3IMEMDT 65,449,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNTIS** AD778-725
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWCRTXB2 1(1),93,1971
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWPAREAQ 4,1,1952
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOLED5 134,17,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWDIMON* 39,678,1993
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENTOX* -,391,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUTAEX 31,17,2016

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.5 mg/m3) (skin)DTLVS* 3,270,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-ARAB Republic of Egypttime-weighted average 0.5 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 0.5 mg/m3, JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 0.01 ppm (0.1 mg/m3);KZW 0.04 ppm (0.4 mg/m3), skin, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, Skin, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, skin, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 0.2 mg/m3, skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 0.5 mg/m3, Skin, FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 0.09 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 0.36 mg/m3, Skin, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPANOccupational Exposure Limit 0.1 mg/m3, skin, MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 0.5 mg/m3, skin, 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 0.5 mg/m3, skin, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 0,1 mg/m3, JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) 1 mg/m3, MAC(short term exposure limit) 3 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 0.5 mg/m3, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3;short term exposure limit 0.2 mg/m3, Skin, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 0.01 ppm (0.1 mg/m3), KZG-week 0.02 ppm, carc 3, skin, sen, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 0.1 mg/m3, Skin, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 1.5 mg/m3, Skin, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 1.5 mg/m3, Skin, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 0.5 mg/m3, skin, OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 1.50 mg/m3 (skin)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 1.50 mg/m3 (skin)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 1.50 mg/m3 (skin)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 1.50 mg/m3 (skin)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO 2,4,6-TRINITROTOLUENE-air10H time-weighted average 0.5 mg/m3 (Sk)NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 74550; Number of Industries 2; Total Number of Facilities 10; Number of Occupations 1; Total Number of Employees Exposed 31

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
ATSDR TOXICOLOGY PROFILE (NTIS** PB/95/264297/AS)
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive: Histidine reversion-Ames test
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
On EPA IRIS database
OSHA ANALYTICAL METHOD #44
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018