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n-Propyl nitrate
May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)
CAS number 627-13-4
NIOSH REL 25 ppm (105 mg/m3) TWA, 40 ppm (170 mg/m3) STEL
Current OSHA PEL 25 ppm (110 mg/m3) TWA
1989 OSHA PEL 25 ppm (105 mg/m3) TWA, 40 ppm (170 mg/m3) STEL
1993-1994 ACGIH TLV 25 ppm (107 mg/m3) TWA, 40 ppm (172 mg/m3) STEL
Description of substance Colorless to straw-colored liquid with an ether-like odor.
LEL . . 2% (10% LEL, 2,000 ppm)
Original (SCP) IDLH 2,000 ppm
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by ACGIH [1971] that the dog 4-hour LC50 is 2,000 to 2,500 ppm [Rinehart et al. 1958].
Short-term exposure guidelines None developed
ACUTE TOXICITY DATA
Lethal concentration data:
| Species | Reference | LC50(ppm) | LCLo(ppm) | Time | Adjusted 0.5-hrLC (CF) | Derived value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | Hood 1953 | —– | 10,000 | 4 hr | 20,000 ppm (2.0) | 2,000 ppm |
| Rat | Rinehart et al Mouse. 1958 | —– | 9,000 – 10,000 | 4 hr | 18,000-20,000 ppm (2.0) | 1,800-2,000 ppm |
| Mouse | Rinehart et al. 1958 | —– | 6,000 – 7,000 | 4 hr | 12,000-14,000 ppm (2.0) | 1,200-1,400 ppm |
| Dog | Rinehart et al. 1958 | —– | 2,000 – 2,500 | 4 hr | 4,000- 5,000 ppm (2.0) | 400- 500 ppm |
Human data None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.
| Revised IDLH: 500 ppmBasis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for n-propyl nitrate is 500 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in animals [Rinehart et al. 1958]. |
REFERENCES:
1. ACGIH [1971]. n-Propyl nitrate. In: Documentation of the threshold limit values for substances in workroom air. 3rd ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, pp. 217-218.
2. Hood DB [1953]. Toxicity of n-propyl nitrate and isopropyl nitrate. Report No. 21-53, Medical Research Project No. MR-170. Newark, DE: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc., Haskell Laboratory for Toxicology and Industrial Medicine.
3. Rinehart WE, Garbers RC, Greene EA, Stoufer RM [1958]. Studies on the toxicity of n-propyl nitrate vapor. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 19:80-83.