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Safety and Health Topics: |
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| Urea |
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General Description
Synonyms: Carbonyl Diamide
OSHA IMIS Code Number: U105
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 57-13-6
NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: YR6250000
Chemical Description and Physical Properties: White crystals with characteristic odor
molecular formula: CH4N2O
molecular weight: 60.07
melting point: 132.7-135°C
Potentially hazardous incompatibilities: Decomposes on heating above melting point producing toxic gases. Reacts violently with strong oxidants, nitrites, inorganic chlorides, chlorites and perchlorates causing fire and explosion hazard.
Health Factors
Potential symptoms: Burning sensation in throat and chest; cough, dyspnea; exercise-induced asthma (one case); redness, skin, eyes; INGES ACUTE: Headache; nausea, vomiting; seizures.
Health Effects: Lung damage---fibrosis, inflammation (HE11); Irritation-Eyes, Nose, Throat, Skin---Moderate (HE15)
Affected organs: Respiratory system, skin, eyes
Note: Urea, used in production of high-nitrogen fertilizers, has also been used medically as an abortifacient and a skin moisturizer.
Date Last Revised: 07/25/2003
Literature Basis:
- (symptoms, target organs)
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Urea.
Lemiere, C., Malo, J.L. and Garbe-Galanti, L.: Bronchial irritation syndrome following inhalation of urea. Histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation [article in French]. Rev. Mal. Respir. 13(6): 595-597, 1996.
- (uses)
Kuzmina, N., Hagstromer, L. and Emtestam, L.: Urea and sodium chloride in moisturizers for skin of the elderly-a comparative, double-blind randomized study. Skin Pharmacol. Appl. Skin Physiol. 15(3): 166-174, 2002.
Rosenfield, A.: The difficult issue of second-trimester abortion. N. Engl. J. Med. 331(5): 324-325, 1994.
Villar, D., Schwartz, K.J., Carson, T.L., Kinker, J.A. and Barker, J.: Acute poisoning of cattle by fertilizer-contaminated water. Vet. Hum. Toxicol. 45(2): 88-90, 2003.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
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analytical condition: Column: C18; Mobile Phase: 95:5:0.1 H20:Acetonitrile:Phosphoric Acid; Detector Wavelength: 190nm
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| Revised: 26 March 2004 |
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