Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HYDRAZINE DINITRATE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Reagent.

SYNONYMS

H6-N4-O6, H3NNH3(NO3)2, "hydrazine, nitrate", "hydrazinium dinitrate", "oxosalt of
nitrogenous base"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition.
Harmful to aquatic organisms.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still be damaging to the health of the individual following ingestion, especially where pre-  existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  The substance and/or its metabolites may bind to hemoglobin inhibiting normal uptake of oxygen. This condition, known as "methemoglobinemia", is a form of oxygen starvation (anoxia).  Symptoms include cyanosis (a bluish discoloration skin and mucous membranes) and breathing difficulties. Symptoms may not be evident until several hours after exposure.  At about 15% concentration of blood methemoglobin there is observable cyanosis of the lips, nose and earlobes. Symptoms may be absent although euphoria, flushed face and headache are commonly experienced. At 25-40%, cyanosis is marked but little disability occurs other than that produced on physical exertion. At 40-60%, symptoms include weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, increasingly severe headache, ataxia, rapid shallow respiration, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, lethargy and stupor. Above 60% symptoms include dyspnea, respiratory depression, tachycardia or bradycardia, and convulsions. Levels exceeding 70% may be fatal.  Hydrazine (and some of its derivatives), is a strong convulsant in laboratory animals and can cause central nervous system (CNS) depression or stimulation. Symptoms of CNS depression may include nonspecific discomfort, giddiness, headache, dizziness, nausea, anaesthetic effects, slowed reaction time, slurred speech and may progress to unconsciousness. Serious poisonings may result in respiratory depression and may be fatal. CNS stimulation may produce dyspnea, coughing, bronchospasm, and laryngospasm. Muscular involvement may produce symptoms ranging from fasciculation to spasticity or seizures. Headache, dizziness and confusion may also result as can hyperpyrexia or a sensation of warmth. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and difficulty in urination. Cardiovascular involvement may produce alterations in blood pressure or arrhythmia.Pulmonary oedema and cardiovascular collapse also seem to be a feature of acute hydrazine poisonings. Animals that survive for more than a day frequently develop liver necrosis and renal failure. As judged by a few severe poisonings,  man reacts like monkey in the sense that liver injury is more severe than kidney failure. Severe hypoglycaemia may develop even earlier than liver necrosis although this is rarely mentioned in the literature.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  The dust may produce eye discomfort causing smarting, pain and redness.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption.  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Temporary discomfort, however, may result from prolonged dermal exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Toxic effects may result from skin absorption.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of the material, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Symptoms of inhalation of hydrazine (and some of its derivatives), may include nausea and headache. Central nervous system (CNS) excitability may lead to convulsions and, in severe cases, respiratory arrest and death. Several instances of systemic poisoning, by hydrazine, have been reported in humans. These mainly involve the CNS, respiratory system and stomach. CNS stimulation may produce twitching of the extremities, clonic movements, hyperreflexia, convulsions and pyrexia; these may progress to lethargy, ataxia, confusion,  coma and hypotension.Oliguria, haematuria, hyperglycaemia and/ or hypoglycaemia and elevated LFTs are common. Leucocytosis, parasthaesia and peripheral neuropathies may be delayed for several days.Respiratory (and dermal) exposure may produce deficits in concentration, comprehension, memory, task performance and mood status.Irritation of the mucous membranes may produce rhinitis, salivation, coughing, choking and dyspnoea.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts.  Hydrazine derivatives tend to be local irritants and cause convulsions, liver damage, and destruction of red blood cells. They also damage the kidneys, and cause stimulation of the central nervous system with tremors and convulsions, progressing to depression, respiratory collapse and death.  When administered orally, hydrazine induced pulmonary adenomas and adenocarcinomas in mice. Inhalation induced lung carcinomas and lymphosarcomas of the spleen in female mice. A study of 423 men, involved in the manufacture of hydrazine revealed three stomach, one prostate and a neurogenic cancer.