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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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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 of Chemical Substances (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

Notes: 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:

  • 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. (symptoms, target organs)
  • 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. (uses)
  • 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. (uses)
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

Conditions: Column: C18; Mobile Phase: 95:5:0.1 H20: Acetonitrile: Phosphoric Acid; Detector Wavelength: 190nm

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