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Methane, diazo-

RTECS #
PA7000000
CAS #
334-88-3
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
September 2013
Molecular Weight
42.05
Molecular Formula
CH2N2
Synonyms
Azimethylene
Diazirine
Diazomethane
Diazomethane (ACGIH:OSHA)
Diazonium methylide

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
mutation in microorganisms/Neurospora crassa250 mmol/L (-enzymatic activation step)HEREAY 35,521,1949

Tumorigenic Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 272 mg/m3/26W- intermittentTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors
BJCAAI 16,92,1962
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 272 mg/m3/26W- intermittentTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors
BJCAAI 16,92,1962
subcutaneous/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 48 gm/kg/52W- intermittentTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors
BJCAAI 16,92,1962

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/cat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 175 ppm/10M85JCAE -,496,1986

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 0.2 ppmDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-Suspected human carcinogenDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Animal Limited EvidenceIMEMDT 7,223,1974
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Human No Adequate DataIMEMDT 7,223,1974
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Group 3IMSUDL 7,56,1987
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWCHHSA* 9,6,2002

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.4 mg/m3)DTLWS* 3,15,1973
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.34 mg/m3), Carcinogen, JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.34 mg/m3), Carcinogen, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.4 mg/m3), carc, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.35 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 0.6 ppm (1 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYceiling concentration 0.01 mg/m3, Carcinogen, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.4 mg/m3), carc, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-INDIAshort term exposure limit 0.4 mg/m3, Skin, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.4 mg/m3), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.4 mg/m3), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.34 mg/m3), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.4 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.34 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.4 mg/m3), JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENGroup B Carcinogen, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 0.2 ppm (0.35 mg/m3), carc 2, JAN2011
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.4 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.4 mg/m3)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.4 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 0.2 ppm (0.4 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO DIAZOMETHANE-air10H time-weighted average 0.2 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 23370; Number of Industries 1; Total Number of Facilities 18; Number of Occupations 2; Total Number of Employees Exposed 234

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive/limited: Carcinogenicity-mouse/rat
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive: N crassa-reversion; S cerevisiae-reversion
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Diazomethane, 2515
On EPA IRIS database
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018