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2-Nitropropane
May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)
CAS number: 79–46–9
NIOSH REL: None established; NIOSH considers 2-nitropropane to be a potential occupational carcinogen as defined by the OSHA carcinogen policy [29 CFR 1990].
Current OSHA PEL: 25 ppm (90 mg/m3) TWA
1989 OSHA PEL: 10 ppm (35 mg/m3) TWA
1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 10 ppm (36 mg/m3) TWA, A2
Description of substance: Colorless liquid with a pleasant, fruity odor.
LEL: . . 2.6% (10% LEL, 2,600 ppm)
Original (SCP) IDLH: 2,300 ppm
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by Patty [1963] that the lowest lethal concentration for the cat for a 1-hour exposure was found to be 2,353 ppm; the response of different species to 2-nitropropane varies considerably, but the cat was the most sensitive species in this investigation [Treon and Dutra 1952].
Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed
ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:
Lethal concentration data:
| Species | Reference | LC50 (ppm) | LCLo (ppm) | Time | Adjusted 0.5-hr LC (CF) | Derived value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MouseRat
Cat Rabbit G. pig Cat |
Izmerov et al. 1982Lewis et al. 1979
Treon & Dutra 1952 Treon & Dutra 1952 Treon & Dutra 1952 Treon & Dutra 1952 |
2,703400
—– —– —– —– |
———-
714 2,381 4,622 2,353 |
2 hr6 hr
5 hr 5 hr 5 hr 1 hr |
4,324 ppm (1.6)920 ppm (2.3)
1,535 ppm (2.15) 5,119 ppm (2.15) 9,937 ppm (2.15) 2,941 ppm (1.25) |
432 ppm92 ppm
154 ppm 512 ppm 994 ppm 294 ppm |
Human data: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and severe headache have been reported in workers exposed to daily concentrations of 20 to 45 ppm [Skinner 1947].
| Revised IDLH: 100 ppmBasis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for 2-nitropropane is 100 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in animals [Lewis et al. 1979]. This may be a conservative value due to the lack of relevant acute toxicity data for workers exposed to concentrations above 45 ppm. [Note: NIOSH recommends as part of its carcinogen policy that the “most protective” respirators be worn for 2-nitropropane at any detectable concentration.] |
REFERENCES:
1. Izmerov NF, Sanotsky IV, Sidorov KK [1982]. Toxicometric parameters of industrial toxic chemicals under single exposure. Moscow, Russia: Centre of International Projects, GKNT, p. 94.
2. Lewis TR, Ulrich CE, Busey WM [1979]. Subchronic inhalation toxicity of nitromethane and 2-nitropropane in rats. J Environ Pathol Toxicol 2(5):233-249.
3. Patty FA, ed. [1963]. Industrial hygiene and toxicology. 2nd rev. ed. Vol. II. Toxicology. New York, NY: Interscience Publishers, Inc., pp. 2077-2078.
4. Skinner JB [1947]. The toxicity of 2-nitropropane. Ind Med 16(9):441-443.
5. Treon JF, Dutra FR [1952]. Physiological response of experimental animals to the vapor of 2-nitropropane. AMA Arch Ind Hyg Occup Med 5:52-61.