Nitramine

H201: (Deleted) Explosive; mass explosion hazard [Danger Explosives]

H301: Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]

H311: Toxic in contact with skin [Danger Acute toxicity, dermal]

H331: Toxic if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]

H373 **: May causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]

P210, P230, P240, P250, P260, P261, P262, P264, P270, P271, P280, P301+P316, P302+P352, P304+P340, P316, P319, P321, P330, P361+P364, P370+P380, P372, P373, P401, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

H201 (100%): (Deleted) Explosive; mass explosion hazard [Danger Explosives]

H301 (100%): Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]

H311 (100%): Toxic in contact with skin [Danger Acute toxicity, dermal]

H315 (86.7%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]

H317 (88.9%): May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]

H319 (88.9%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]

H331 (100%): Toxic if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]

H335 (88.9%): May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]

H373 (100%): May causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]

P210, P230, P240, P250, P260, P261, P262, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P272, P280, P301+P316, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P316, P319, P321, P330, P332+P317, P333+P317, P337+P317, P361+P364, P362+P364, P370+P380, P372, P373, P401, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 45 reports by companies from 4 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website.

H315: Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]

H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]

H319: Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]

H335: May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]

H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]

H373: May causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]

P210, P230, P240, P250, P260, P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P272, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P319, P321, P332+P317, P333+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P370+P380, P372, P373, P401, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Fresh air, rest. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Wear protective gloves when administering first aid.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Refer for medical attention .

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Tetryl:

Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin: SOAP WASH PROMPTLY - If this chemical contacts the skin, promptly wash the contaminated skin with soap and water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, promptly remove the clothing and wash the skin with soap and water. Get medical attention promptly.

Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2024)

(General first aid procedures)

Eye: Irrigate immediately - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin: Soap wash promptly - If this chemical contacts the skin, promptly wash the contaminated skin with soap and water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, promptly remove the clothing and wash the skin with soap and water. Get medical attention promptly.

Breathing: Respiratory support

Swallow: Medical attention immediately - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 112 [Explosives - Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.5]:

CARGO FIRE: DO NOT fight fire when fire reaches cargo! Cargo may EXPLODE! Stop all traffic and clear the area for at least 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions and let burn. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat.

TIRE OR VEHICLE FIRE: Use plenty of water - FLOOD it! If water is not available, use CO2, dry chemical or dirt. If possible, and WITHOUT RISK, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles from maximum distance to prevent fire from spreading to cargo area. Pay special attention to tire fires as re-ignition may occur. Stand by, at a safe distance, with extinguisher ready for possible re-ignition. (ERG, 2024)

Do not attempt to extinguish large fire, evacuate area. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water. Combat fire from a sheltered position.

Evacuation: If the material is on fire or involved in fire consider evacuation of one mile radius.

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus when fighting fires involving this material.

Water may be used on small fires. Do not attempt to extinguish large fires.

Dangerously explosive. Do not fight fires in a cargo of explosives.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 112 [Explosives - Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.5]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 500 meters (1/3 mile) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.

FIRE: If rail car or trailer is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, initiate evacuation including emergency responders for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)

Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance.

If tetryl is spilled, the following steps should be taken: 1. Remove all ignition sources. 2. Ventilate area of spill. 3. Attempt to reclaim spilled material; however, do not sweep or burn unless this is supervised by explosives experts.

Both activated carbon amberlite xad-4 removed tnt, hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5- triazine (rdx), and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (hmx) from pink water to a level of less than 1 ppm. Activated charcoal has lower capacity for tnt, and a higher capacity for rdx, hmx, and tetryl, than amberlite xad-4. Decolorization of the effluent with amberlite xad-4 alone was not complete. Both amberlite xad-4 and activated carbon provided similar nitrobody leakage for similar streams.

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Tetryl may be disposed of only by explosives experts.

Wastes containing tetryl have been incinerated by grinding and spraying the ground material with water to form a slurry. The types of incineration that have been used to destroy waste munitions such as tetryl include rotary kiln incineration, fluidized bed incineration, and pyrolitic incineration.

SRP: Contaminated protective clothing should be segregated in such a manner so that there is no direct personal contact by personnel who handle, dispose, or clean the clothing. Quality assurance to ascertain the completeness of the cleaning procedures should be implemented before the decontaminated protective clothing is returned for reuse by the workers. Contaminated clothing should not be taken home at end of shift, but should remain at employee's place of work for cleaning.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises.

Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for TETRYL (12 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 112 [Explosives - Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.5]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. DO NOT OPERATE RADIO TRANSMITTERS WITHIN 100 METERS (330 FEET) OF ELECTRIC DETONATORS. DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2024)

Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants. Keep in the dark. Keep in a separate building protected from shock.

Keep solution in the dark.

Protect from shock.

Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants. Keep in the dark. Keep in a separate building protected from shock, under lock and key.

1.5 [mg/m3]

200 [mg/m3]

1300 [mg/m3]

TWA 1.5 mg/m3 [skin]

750 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2024)

750.0 [mg/m3]

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs: Human data: Tetryl is highly irritating to the skin and mucous membranes and may cause severe upper respiratory tract irritation with coughing and epistaxis; heavy airborne exposures may also cause liver damage [Hardy and Maloof 1950]. No systemic poisoning was noted following chronic exposure to 1.5 mg/m3, other than some skin sensitization [Bergman 1952].

750 mg/cu m

750 mg/m3

See: 479458

8 hr Time Weighted Avg (TWA): 1.5 mg/cu m.

Excursion Limit Recommendation: Excursions in worker exposure levels may exceed 3 times the TLV-TWA for no more than a total of 30 minutes during a work day, and under no circumstances should they exceed 5 times the TLV-TWA, provided that the TLV-TWA is not exceeded.

1.5 mg/m

skin absorption (H); sensitization of skin (SH); carcinogen category: 3

Evaporation at 20 °C is negligible; a harmful concentration of airborne particles can, however, be reached quickly when dispersed.

The substance is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the nervous system.

Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization. Repeated or prolonged inhalation may cause asthma. The substance may have effects on the liver, kidneys and blood.

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Tetryl:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin:

• WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

• DAILY - The worker should wash daily at the end of each work shift, and prior to eating, drinking, smoking, etc.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises. (NIOSH, 2024)

The necessary protective measures in ascending order of effectiveness are respiratory protection, job rotation, limitation on exposure time, use of protective clothing and whole body protection. Respiratory protection has limited application, since skin absorption is the major problem. Protective equipment must be selected carefully to assure impermeability to /tetryl/. /Aromatic nitrocompounds/

Skin contact may be minimized by the use of impervious fabric clothing fastened at wrists & neck, rubberized aprons & half sleeves & caps or turbans.

Employees should be provided with and required to use ... gloves, face shields (eight inch minimum), and other appropriate protective clothing necessary to prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact with tetryl or liquids containing tetryl. ... Employees should be provided with and required to use splash-proof safety goggles where tetryl or liquids containing tetryl may contact the eyes.

Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

For more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Complete) data for TETRYL (12 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

NIOSH/OSHA

Up to 7.5 mg/m3 :

(APF = 5) Any quarter-mask respirator.

Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.

Up to 15 mg/m3 :

(APF = 10) Any particulate respirator equipped with an N95, R95, or P95 filter (including N95, R95, and P95 filtering facepieces) except quarter-mask respirators. The following filters may also be used: N99, R99, P99, N100, R100, P100.

Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.*

(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator*

Up to 37.5 mg/m3 :

(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode*

Tetryl appears as a yellow crystalline solid high explosive. Toxic by ingestion and skin absorption. A skin irritant. Will explode if heated above 370 °F. Used as a detonating explosive. The primary hazard is the blast of an instantaneous explosion and not flying projectiles and fragments.

Colorless to yellow, odorless, crystalline solid; [NIOSH]

ODOURLESS COLOURLESS-TO-YELLOW CRYSTALS.

Colorless to yellow, odorless, crystalline solid.

Colorless to yellow, crystalline solid

MONOCLINIC CRYSTALS

Odorless.

BITTER TASTE

356 to 374 °F at 760 mmHg (Explodes) (NIOSH, 2024)

187 °C (explodes)

356-374 °F (Explodes)

268 °F (NIOSH, 2024)

130-132 °C

Explodes (NIOSH, 2024)

Flash point: explodes in air at 187C

explodes in air at 187 °C

Explodes

0.02 % (NIOSH, 2024)

Sol in alc, ether, glacial acetic acid, benzene

In water, 74 mg/L @ 25 °C

Solubility in water: none

1.57 (NIOSH, 2024) - Denser than water; will sink

Relative density (water = 1): 1.57

1.57 @ 19°C

less than 1 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024)

0.00000012 [mmHg]

1.2X10-7 mm Hg @ 25 °C /Estimated/

Vapor pressure, kPa at 20 °C:

log Kow = 1.64 /Estimated/

Henry's Law constant = 2.7X10-9 atm-cu m/mol @ 25 °C /Estimated/

Is highly stable losing virtually no weight on prolonged storage at 80 °C.

When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of /nitrogen oxide/.

842.3 kcal @ 20 °C

Hydroxyl radical reaction rate constant = 1.3X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec @ 25 °C /Estimated/

15N nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum

Boiling point

Chemical shift

Crystal structure

Formula unit

Fusion temperature

No rapid reaction with air. No rapid reaction with water.

Nitro, Nitroso, Nitrate, and Nitrite Compounds, Organic

Explosive

Strong Oxidizing Agent

During the measurement of the shock sensitivity of a mixture containing hydrazine, a drop of the hydrazine mixture fell on a tetryl explosive. The tetryl immediately burst into flames (ASESB 105).

Contact of tetryl with some oxidizable materials may cause fires & explosions.

Contact of hydrazine with the explosive N,2,4,6-tetranitroaniline caused ignition.

Tetryl explodes on contact with trioxygen difluoride.

Oxidizable materials, hydrazine.

Oxidizable materials, hydrazine

CDC-ATSDR Toxicological Profile

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol, through the skin and by ingestion.

inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Abdominal pain. Cough. Diarrhoea. Headache. Sore throat. Nosebleeds.

Redness. Yellow staining of the skin.

Redness. Pain.

Nausea. See Inhalation.

sensitization dermatitis, itch, erythema (skin redness); edema on nasal folds, cheeks, neck; keratitis (inflammation of the cornea); sneezing; anemia; cough, coryza; irritability; malaise (vague feeling of discomfort), headache, lassitude (weakness, exhaustion), insomnia; nausea, vomiting; liver, kidney damage

Dermal (Skin), Immunological (Immune System), Neurological (Nervous System), Respiratory (From the Nose to the Lungs)

Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system, liver, kidneys

Occupational hepatotoxin - Secondary hepatotoxins: the potential for toxic effect in the occupational setting is based on cases of poisoning by human ingestion or animal experimentation.

Skin Sensitizer - An agent that can induce an allergic reaction in the skin.

Asthma - Reversible bronchoconstriction (narrowing of bronchioles) initiated by the inhalation of irritating or allergenic agents.

Trinitrophenylmethylnitramine (Tetryl)

2 x 10^-3 mg/kg-day

2 x 10^-2 mg/kg-day

PDF Document

Inadequate information to assess carcinogenic potential

PPRTV Current

Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway. Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if necessary. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... . Anticipate seizures and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with normal saline during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 mL/kg up to 200 mL of water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool. Administer activated charcoal ... . /Naphthalene and Related Compounds/

Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious. Start an IV with lactated Ringer's. Adequate hydration must be maintained to prevent renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria unless signs of cerebral or pulmonary edema are present. For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Administer 1% solution methylene blue if patient is symptomatic with severe hypoxia, cyanosis, and cardiac compromise not responding to oxygen. ... . Treat seizures with diazepam ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Naphthalene and related compounds/

Because job rotation incr the number of workers at risk, it may favor sensitization and retard "hardening".

Initial medical exam: A complete history and physical exam: The purpose is to detect existing conditions that might place the exposed employee at incr risk, and to establish a baseline for future health monitoring. Persons with a history of asthma ... or known sensitization to tetryl may be at increased risk from exposure. Exam of the resp tract, eyes, liver, central nervous system, and kidneys should be stressed. The skin should be examined for evidence of chronic disorders. ... Tetryl has been shown to cause anemia in humans. A complete blood count should be performed incl a red cell count, a white blood count, a differential count of a stained smear, as well as hemoglobin and hematocrit. The aforementioned medical exam should be repeated on an annual basis.

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ ...Reported effects from accidental exposures of 11 persons to tetryl. Of those exposed, 2 had died, 1 had a disability, and 8 had no detected permanent disability. ...In addition, 1 worker developed pulmonary pathologic changes, presumably attributable to exposure to tetryl irritation. Irritation of the mucous membranes of the upper resp tract was noteworthy, resulting in sore throats, nosebleeds, and coughing of varying degrees of severity.

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ ... described the typical tetryl dermatitis as presenting the following clinical picture. During the first week of exposure, itching of and around the eyes and irritation of the skin with erythema occurred. Edema often followed and and progressed as long as exposure persisted. The progression of pruritus to erythema to edema was seen about the nasal folds, cheeks and neck soon after the eyelids were affected. This condition was believed to be a sensitization phenomenon rather than a result of local irritation.

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ In a study of 1258 workers affected by tetryl (of 5000 workers at the facility), the presiding symptom in 944 was dermatitis. The dermatitis generally occurred between the second and third week of exposure. ... Also cited /was/ increasing evidence to point toward the probability that systemic changes were quiet possible in exposed workers. Laboratory data cited secondary anemia of a pronounced degree. Other reported symptoms suggestive of systemic illness included headache, irritability, malaise, lassitude, and sleeplessness. Of 1258 cases studied, 3 revealed a previous attack of severe tetryl dermatitis; 2 of these 3 individuals were accidentally re-exposed to tetryl, and a severe reaction promptly recurred.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Workers may experience irritability, easy fatigability, general malaise, headache, lassitude, and sleeplessness but exhibited no abnormal neurological signs /after tetryl exposure/

For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for TETRYL (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ In anesthetized cats, nitramine at 10-30 mg/kg decreased arterial pressure 15-40%. The higher dose also increased the amplitude and frequency of respiration.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ ...The smallest fatal dose of tetryl was 0.5 g/kg of recrystallized material given to a dog subcutaneously in olive oil as five daily doses of 0.1 g/kg/day. ...Rabbits given 1 g/kg by stomach tube in milk died after 1 to 3 doses. The tissues of rabbits and dogs after fatal doses of tetryl showed a severe acute inflammation at the injection site along with varying degrees of edema and hemorrhage. Degenerated muscle tissue was sometimes identified at the injection site. Without exception, the kidneys showed toxic degeneration. The livers of several dogs showed marked changes, consisting of varying degrees of necrosis in the centers of the lobules and severe fatty degeneration of the liver cells. There was also a noticeable deposition of fat in the bile duct epithelium. Rabbit livers showed almost no changes. Several animals showed varying degrees of edema in the lungs and bronchi... .

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ ...Dermal and eye irritation tests and acute dermal sensitization (Buehler) tests in guinea pigs were conducted according to EPA standard protocols. The sensitization tests showed that DNB and tetryl are not skin sensitizers while TNB caused a mild allergic reaction. None of these compounds produced skin irritation but positive (DNB) to severe (TNB, tetryl) eye irritation potentials were observed.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ changes suggestive of a coagulation disorder and hemosiderin deposition in the spleen were observed in rabbits administered 125 mg/kg/day for 6 months.

For more Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for TETRYL (13 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Persons with a history of asthma, allergies, or known sensitization to tetryl may be at increased risk from exposure.

1.60e+02

2.30e+03

3.90e+01

5.00e+00

3.70e-01

2.00e-03

1.60e+02

2.30e+03

3.90e+01

5.00e+00

3.70e-01

2.00e-03

Volatile

4.70e+02

7.00e+03

1.20e+02

Tetryl's former production and use as both a booster ingredient and main charge explosive in munitions has resulted in its direct release to the environment. If released to air, an estimated vapor pressure of 1.2X10-7 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates tetryl will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase tetryl will be degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals; the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 13 days. It may also be degraded by direct photolysis, but the kinetics of this reaction in the atmosphere are unknown. Particulate-phase tetryl will be removed from the atmosphere by wet and dry deposition. If released to soil, tetryl is expected to have slight mobility based upon an estimated Koc of 2,100. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.7X10-9 atm-cu m/mole. Tetryl is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces based on its estimated vapor pressure. Data from composting experiments and soil slurry studies show that tetryl contaminated soils can be remediated through biodegradation. If released into water, tetryl is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment based upon the estimated Koc. Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process based upon this compound's estimated Henry's Law constant. Hydrolysis and photolysis in water are expected to be important fate processes, particularly under alkaline conditions. The hydrolysis half-life of tetryl in seawater at pH 8.1 and 25 °C is about 33 days, while the hydrolysis half-life in buffered solutions at pH 6.88 and 40 °C was 63 days. It was estimated that under environmental conditions (20 °C and pH close to 7) the hydrolysis half-life is about 300 days. It was also noted that degradation in buffered solutions was about an order of magnitude greater when exposed to natural sunlight. An estimated BCF of 4 suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low. Since tetryl is no longer produced in the United States and has been replaced by RDX (cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)or HMX (cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine) for use in munitions, there is little likelihood of occupational exposure to this compound today. However, monitoring data at munitions factories or other sites where tetryl was released in large quantities show that soil and groundwater remain heavily contaminated with this compound which could possibly lead to exposure to persons onsite or nearby. (SRC)

Tetryl's former production and use as both a booster ingredient and main charge explosive(1,2) has resulted in its direct release to the environment(SRC).

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 2,100(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that tetryl is expected to have slight mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of tetryl from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.7X10-9 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(3). Tetryl is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 1.2X10-7 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(4). Biodegradation of tetryl has been demonstrated in various composing conditions(SRC). A first-order half-life of 1.2 weeks was calculated for tetryl in a manure-hay-sawdust compost(5). Hydrolysis in moist soils may also be an important fate process based upon studies which showed tetryl hydrolyzes at various rates in buffered solutions (63 day half-life at pH 6.88 and 40 °C)(6), and seawater (33 day half-life at pH 8.1 and 25 °C)(7).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 2,100(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that tetryl is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.7X10-9 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(4). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 4(SRC), from an estimated log Kow of 1.64(6) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). The hydrolysis half-life of tetryl in seawater at 25 °C (pH 8.1) is about 33 days(8) and the hydrolysis half-life in buffered solutions at pH 6.88 and 40 °C was 63 days (9). The degradation rate of tetryl in buffered solutions was about an order of magnitude greater when the solutions were exposed to sunlight as compared to the dark solutions(9), suggesting that photolysis in sunlit surface waters in conjunction with hydrolysis may be an important fate process(SRC). Biodegradation of tetryl has been demonstrated in various composting conditions(10) and soil/water slurries(11).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), tetryl, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 1.2X10-7 mm Hg at 25 °C (SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(2), is expected to exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase tetryl is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 13 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 1.3X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). Particulate-phase tetryl may be removed from the air by wet and dry deposition(SRC). Tetryl has been shown to undergo photolysis in aqueous solutions and may be susceptible to direct photolysis in the atmosphere(4).

Data from composting experiments suggest that biodegradation of tetryl may occur under some conditions(1). When tetryl-contaminated sediment was added to hay-horse feed or sewage sludge-wood chip compost, 90% of the tetryl was removed after 44 days(1). A first-order half-life of 1.2 weeks was calculated for tetryl in a manure-hay-sawdust compost(1). Tetryl was completely biodegraded in a laboratory reactor using a soil slurry amended with molasses over a 3 month operation period(2). Metabolites identified included trinitro-N-methylaniline, trinitrobenzeneamine, dinitrobenzenediamine, nitroaniline and aniline(2). In previous experiments using anoxic conditions and in the absence of co-substrates such as molasses, tetryl and trinitrotoluene (TNT) were not degraded(2).

The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of tetryl with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals has been estimated as 1.3X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) using a structure estimation method(1). This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 13 days at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(1). No data were located on direct photolysis of tetryl in the atmosphere, but tetryl is expected to undergo direct photolytic degradation in the atmosphere because it undergoes this reaction in water(2). Based on a pure water photolysis half-life of 20-40 hours for TNT, a structurally similar compound(2), it is possible that photolysis will be an important fate of tetryl. Tetryl was reported to be degraded to nitrate, nitrite, and N-methylpicramide upon exposure to sunlight for 20 days(3).

In a hydrolysis study of tetryl in seawater (pH 8.1) at 25 °C, 88% of initial tetryl hydrolyzed in 101 days yielding picric acid as a hydrolysis product(1); this hydrolysis rate corresponds to a first-order half-life of 33 days(SRC). In a buffered aqueous solution at 40 °C and pH 6.88, the hydrolysis half-life of tetryl was determined to be approximately 63 days(2); the hydrolysis half-life at 40 °C and pH 8.96 was determined to be approximately 16-17 hours(2); hydrolysis products formed during the buffered hydrolysis studies included picrate ion, N-methylpicramide, methylnitramine, nitrate ion, and nitrite ion(2); based on activation energies, the hydrolysis half-life of tetryl at pH 6.8 and 20 °C was estimated to be 302 days(2); comparison of hydrolysis rates (initial pH of about 6) under ambient lighting conditions and under dark conditions indicated that under ambient lighting conditions tetryl photolyzes at least an order of magnitude faster than it hydrolyzes(2); the major photolysis product was N-methylpicramide(2).

An estimated BCF of 4 was calculated for tetryl(SRC), using an estimated log Kow of 1.64(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC).

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc for tetryl can be estimated to be 2,100(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that tetryl is expected to have slight mobility in soil(SRC). It was demonstrated that nitroaromatic compounds (including tetryl) adsorb strongly to clay minerals in aqueous suspensions, particularly when exchangeable cations in the clays include ammonium and potassium(3).

The Henry's Law constant for tetryl is estimated as 2.7X10-9 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) using a fragment constant estimation method(1). This Henry's Law constant indicates that tetryl is expected to be essentially nonvolatile from water surfaces(2). Tetryl's Henry's Law constant indicates that volatilization from moist soil surfaces is not expected(SRC). Tetryl is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 1.2X10-7 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(3).

GROUND WATER: Seepage water collected in a hole dug at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant in Aug 1973 contained a tetryl concn of 44 ppm(1). The groundwater beneath the tetryl manufacturing area of the Alabama Army Ammunition Plant (Talladega County, Alabama) contained 72.8 ug/l tetryl, and tetryl has been detected in groundwater beneath artificial leaching pits located at the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant at concentrations ranging from 1.4 to 53 ug/l (2). No tetryl was detected (detection limit of 20 ug /l) in samples from 44 groundwater sites, 23 surface water sites, or 5 treatment lagoons located at the Milan Army Ammunition Plant in Tennessee(2). In addition, sediment samples from the 5 lagoons did not show tetryl to be present. Tetryl was detected in groundwater samples taken at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant at a maximum concentration of 49 ug/l; it did not exceed the level of detection (2.9 ug /l) in any surface water

SEA WATER: Tetryl was not detected (detection limit of 0.02 ppb) in seawater samples collected from the Atlantic Ocean (about 200 miles off the coast of Florida) and from the Pacific Ocean (about 45 miles west of San Francisco) in Sep 1971 at sites where old ships containing munitions (including tetryl) were deliberately sunk as a disposal method(1).

The Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, which produced tetryl until production ceased in July 1973, released tetryl to the environment in various wastewater stream emissions generated at the plant(1); wastewater streams were released via drainage ditches with waste waters typically containing 400-460 ppm tetryl(1). In 1963, the US Navy initiated a program in which old liberty ships were loaded with munitions and deliberately sunk in the ocean to dispose of the unwanted munitions(2); tetryl was one of the most common and abundant explosives released in this manner(2).

Analysis of surface soil collected from the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant in Aug 1973 detected tetryl levels of 472-562 mg/kg soil(1); analysis of subsurface soil detected levels of 1.45-84.4 g/kg soil(1). It was estimated that approximately 31,000 pounds of tetryl was contained in the soil at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant site in Aug 1973, less than one month after tetryl production had been terminated(1). Soil sampled at this site in 1995 still contained 2500-15000 mg/kg in several samples(2). Tetryl was identified, not quantified, in soil samples taken from northern Iraq near the Turkey and Iran border(3). Tetryl was identified, not quantified, in soils from army bases in Alabama and Louisiana(4). Tetryl was identified, not quantified in soil samples obtained from the Alabama Army Ammunition plant near Talladega and a US army facility in Vicksburg, MS(5). Tetryl was detected in sediment samples taken at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant at a maximum concentration of of 33 ug/g(6).

Since tetryl's use as a booster or main explosive has been replaced by RDX (cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)or HMX (cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine)(1), there is little likelihood of occupational exposure to this compound today(SRC). However, monitoring data at munitions factories or other sites where tetryl was released in large quantities show that soil and groundwater remain heavily contaminated with this compound which could possibly lead to exposure(SRC).

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Tetryl may be disposed of only by explosives experts.

Wastes containing tetryl have been incinerated by grinding and spraying the ground material with water to form a slurry. The types of incineration that have been used to destroy waste munitions such as tetryl include rotary kiln incineration, fluidized bed incineration, and pyrolitic incineration.

UN 0208; Trinitrophenylmethylnitramine

IMO 1.1; Trinitrophenylmethylnitramine

49 015 41; Tetryl (high explosive)

No person may /transport,/ offer or accept a hazardous material for transportation in commerce unless that person is registered in conformance ... and the hazardous material is properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled, and in condition for shipment as required or authorized by ... /the hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR 171-177)./

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations are published by the IATA Dangerous Goods Board pursuant to IATA Resolutions 618 and 619 and constitute a manual of industry carrier regulations to be followed by all IATA Member airlines when transporting hazardous materials.

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code lays down basic principles for transporting hazardous chemicals. Detailed recommendations for individual substances and a number of recommendations for good practice are included in the classes dealing with such substances. A general index of technical names has also been compiled. This index should always be consulted when attempting to locate the appropriate procedures to be used when shipping any substance or article.

Explosive 1.1D

Symbol: E, T; R: 2-23/24/25-33; S: (1/2)-35-45

UN Hazard Class: 1.1D