NITROMETHANE | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

NITROMETHANE†

Chemical Identification
CAS #	75-52-5
Formula	CH₃NO₂
Synonyms	nitrocarbol

Physical Properties
Physical description	Colorless, oily liquid with a disagreeable odor.
Boiling point	214°F	Molecular weight	61.04
Freezing point/melting point	-20°F	Vapor pressure	28 mmHg
Flash point	95°F	Vapor density	2.11
Specific gravity	1.139	Ionization potential	11.08 eV
Lower explosive limit (LEL)	7.3%	Upper explosive limit (UEL)
NFPA health rating	2	NFPA fire rating	3
NFPA reactivity rating	4	NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)	1920
Sampling group
Sampler/Sampling media	Chromosorb® 106 (600/300 mg) [SKC 226-111A]
Sampling time^*
Sampling volume (TWA)^*	1.2-3 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)^*	0.05 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Analytical method instruments	GC
Method reference	NIOSH 2527 (fully validated)
Notes	Separate front and back sorbent sections
Special requirements

^* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)

**Exposure Limits**
OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak		NIOSH REL Up to 10-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		ACGIH TLV© 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		CAL/OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak
PEL-TWA	100 ppm (250 mg/m³)	REL-TWA		TLV-TWA	20 ppm [1997]	PEL-TWA	2 ppm (5 mg/m³)
PEL-STEL		REL-STEL		TLV-STEL		PEL-STEL
PEL-C		REL-C		TLV-C		PEL-C
Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N
Notes: See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1.		Notes: See Appendix D - Substances with No Established RELs.		Notes:		Notes:
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH	750 ppm
Carcinogenic classifications: TLV-A3, IARC-2B, NTP-R		Notes:
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:

Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Nitromethane

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Nitromethane

Literature References

ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Nitromethane. See annual publication for most recent information.
Page, E.H., Pajeau, A.K., Arnold, T.C., Fincher, A.R. and Goddard, M.J.: Peripheral neuropathy in workers exposed to nitromethane. Am. J. Ind. Med. 40(1): 107-113, 2001.
Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Nitromethane. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1721-1722.
Webb, K.G. and Fowler, J.F., Jr.: Occupational allergic dermatitis to nitromethane. Am. J. Contact Dermat. 13(4): 201-202, 2002.

Last Updated Date : 01/13/2023

NITROMETHANE†

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References