Toxicity Profiles

RAGs A Format for Trinirtophenylmethylnitramine - CAS Number 479458

Trinitrophenylmethylnitramine is also known by the synonyms picrylmethylnitramine, tetralite, nitramine, N,2,4,5-tetranitro-N-methylaniline, 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl-N-methylnitramine, and tetryl. Tetryl is a Class A explosive that is used as an intermediary detonating agent for less sensitive high explosives and as a booster charge in certain military munitions. Tetryl was produced mostly during World Wars I and II; it is no longer manufactured or used in the United States. Stocks of tetryl are found in storage at military installations and are being destroyed by the Department of Defense. Tetryl is an odorless, synthetic, yellow crystal-like solid that is not found naturally in the environment. A powerful oxidant and a dangerous fire hazard sensitive to shock and friction, tetryl explodes at 187C and on contact with trioxygen difluoride. Tetryl will ignite when exposed to hydrazine and emit toxic fumes of nitrous and nitric oxide when heated to decomposition.

Workers at military facilities during World Wars I and II who breathed tetryl-laden dust complained of coughs, fatigue, headaches, eye irritation, lack of appetite, nosebleeds, nausea, and vomiting. Workers who routinely handled tetryl developed a distinct yellow staining of the hands, neck, and hair. Many workers who had skin contact with tetryl developed skin rashes. Some also developed allergies with asthma-like reactions (severe coughing and wheezing) after breathing tetryl. Rabbits fed high doses of tetryl every day for 6–9 months, developed effects on the kidneys and liver. Decreased blood-clotting capability and changes in the spleen were also noted. It is not known if these effects would occur in humans exposed to similar doses of tetryl, if tetryl causes birth defects, or if it affects reproduction in humans or animals.

No suitable cancer bioassays or epidemiological studies are available to assess the carcinogenicity of tetryl. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the EPA have not reviewed tetryl to determine whether it is likely to cause cancer.

The following is a presentation of the toxicity information associated with Trinitrophenylmethylnitramine.

• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose is 4.00E-03 (mg/kg-day).
• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose has a modifying factor of 1.
• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose has an uncertainty factor of 3000.
• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose is based on the Reddy et al. rat study from 1994.
• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose study target organ is liver.
• The Oral Chronic Reference Dose study critical effect is blood and liver effects.

• The Dermal Chronic Reference Dose is 2.00E-03 (mg/kg-day).
• The Dermal Chronic Reference Dose is based on a gastrointestinal absorption factor of 0.5000.

• The Oral Subchronic Reference Dose is 1.00E-02 (mg/kg-day).
• The Oral Subchronic Reference Dose has a modifying factor of 1.
• The Oral Subchronic Reference Dose has an uncertainty factor of 1000.
• The Oral Subchronic Reference Dose is based on the Reddy et al. rat study from 1994.
• The Oral Subchronic Reference Dose study target organ is liver.
• The Oral Subchronic Reference Dose study critical effect is blood and liver effects.

• The Dermal Subchronic Reference Dose is 5.00E-03 (mg/kg-day).
• The Dermal Subchronic Reference Dose is based on a gastrointestinal absorption factor of 0.5000.