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ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
4NITROTOLUENE (NO2C6H4CH3)
SYNONYMS
None known.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Use a fume hood.
Avoid skin and eye contact.
Avoid inhalation or ingestion of the powder.
Keep away from heat or naked flames.
Keep away from oxidising materials.
Keep away from reducing agents.
Keep away from strong bases.
Keep the container tightly sealed.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
CHARACTERISTICS
Yellow crystals. Thermal decomposition yields carbon monoxide,
carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides. May explode when heated and
may be shock sensitive.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin.
Is an irritant to mucous membranes, respiratory tract, eyes and
skin. Symptoms may include burning sensation, coughing,
wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, nausea and
vomiting. Absorption leads to formation of methaemoglobin which
in sufficient concentrations can cause cyanosis. Onset may be
delayed.
TREATMENTS
Skin immediately remove contaminated clothing and wash the
affected area with soap or mild detergent and large amounts of
water until all evidence of the chemical has been removed
(approximately 15 minutes). If signs of toxicity develop seek
medical advice. Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
Eyes immediately wash the affected eye with large amounts of
water until all evidence of the chemical has been removed
(approximately 15 minutes). If irritation or pain persist seek
immediate medical attention.
Inhalation remove from the area of exposure to fresh air. If
breathing has ceased apply artificial respiration. Keep warm and
allow to rest. If irritation persists or signs of toxicity
develop seek medical attention.
Ingestion wash out the mouth thoroughly with water and give
water to drink. Do not induce vomiting. Induce vomiting by
touching a finger to the back of the throat. Never give anything
by mouth to an unconscious person. Seek immediate medical
advice.
INCOMPATIBILITY
Oxidising agents, reducing agents and strong bases.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry atmosphere away from heat or ignition
sources.
HANDLING
Use a fume hood to minimise exposure to this substance. Wear
protective clothing. A long sleeved laboratory coat or gown,
rubber gloves, safety goggles and a face mask as a minimum
standard.
DISPOSAL
WEAR:
Butyl rubber gloves, laboratory coat, self contained breathing
apparatus and protective shoes.
SPILLS:
On skin and clothing: wash skin with a strong soap solution
immediately. Rinse well. Contaminated clothing should be removed
and cleaned at once or destroyed by burning.
Small spills: absorb liquid on paper towels or vermiculite;
sweep solid spills on to paper. Put on an iron pan in a fume
hood and allow to evaporate. Burn the paper or vermiculite in
the absence of other inflammables. Wash the site thoroughly with
a strong soap solution.
Large spills: absorb or mix with vermiculite, sodium bicarbonate
or sand. Package this in a paper carton and burn in an open pit.
Use wood scraps and crumpled paper to augment burning. Wash the
site thoroughly with a strong soap solution.
PACKAGE LOTS: Either
1 Pour os sift on to sodium bicarbonate or a sand, soda ash
mixture (90/10). Mix and package in heavy paper cartons with
plenty of paper packing to serve as fuel. Burn in an
incinerator.
OR
2 Mix with a flammable solvent and spray into a firebox of an
incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber.
NOTE:
Destruction by chemical decomposition is recommended for dinitro,
trinitro and other compounds with explosive potential. Add the
material, slowly, while stirring, to 30 times its weight of a
solution prepared by dissolving 1 part sodium sulphide in 6
parts water. For unstable acidic materials (eg. picric acid)
dissolve in 25 times its weight in a solution from 1 part sodium
hydroxide and 21 parts sodium sulphide in 200 parts water. Some
hydrogen sulphide and ammonia is evolved.
ENVIRONMENT:
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