Registration Dossier

Data platform availability banner - registered substances factsheets

Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Guidance on Safe Use

Guidance on Safe Use

Currently viewing:

Administrative data

First-aid measures

Description of first aid measures

General advice: First Aid responders should pay attention to self-protection and use the recommended protective clothing (chemical resistant gloves, splash protection).  If potential for exposure exists refer to Section 8 for specific personal protective equipment.  

Inhalation: Move person to fresh air.  If not breathing, give artificial respiration; if by mouth to mouth use rescuer protection (pocket mask, etc).  If breathing is difficult, oxygen should be administered by qualified personnel.  Call a physician or transport to a medical facility.  

Skin Contact: Wash skin with plenty of water.  

Eye Contact: Flush eyes thoroughly with water for several minutes.  Remove contact lenses after the initial 1-2 minutes and continue flushing for several additional minutes.  If effects occur, consult a physician, preferably an ophthalmologist.  

Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Call a physician and/or transport to emergency facility immediately.  

Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed

Aside from the information found under Description of first aid measures (above) and Indication of immediate medical attention and special treatment needed (below), no additional symptoms and effects are anticipated.

Indication of immediate medical attention and special treatment needed

Maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation of the patient.  May cause asthma-like (reactive airways) symptoms.  Bronchodilators, expectorants, antitussives and corticosteroids may be of help.  Administer 100% oxygen to relieve headache and a general sense of weakness. Determine methemoglobin concentration of blood every 3 to 6 hours for first 24 hours.  It should return to normal within 24 hours.  The treatment of toxic methemoglobinemia may include the intravenous administration of methylene blue.  If methemoglobin >10-20% consider methylene blue 1-2 mg/kg body weight as 1% solution intravenously over 5 minutes followed by 15-30 cc flush (Price D, Methemoglobinemia, Goldfrank Toxicologic Emergencies, 5th ed., 1994).  Also provide 100% oxygen.  If lavage is performed, suggest endotracheal and/or esophageal control.  Danger from lung aspiration must be weighed against toxicity when considering emptying the stomach.  The decision of whether to induce vomiting or not should be made by a physician.  Treatment of exposure should be directed at the control of symptoms and the clinical condition of the patient.  

Repeated excessive exposure may aggravate preexisting lung disease.  Methemoglobinemia may aggravate any preexisting condition sensitive to a decrease in available oxygen, such as chronic lung disease, coronary artery disease or anemia.  Skin contact may aggravate preexisting dermatitis.

Fire-fighting measures

Extinguishing Media

Water fog or fine spray.  Dry chemical fire extinguishers rated tri-class ABC (containing monoammonium phosphate).  Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers.  Water fog, applied gently may be used as a blanket for fire extinguishment.  Foam.  Alcohol resistant foams (ATC type) are preferred. General purpose synthetic foams (including AFFF) or protein foams may function, but will be less effective.  

Extinguishing Media to Avoid: Do not use bicarbonate based dry chemical extinguishers (Class BC).  Do not use direct water stream.  Straight or direct water streams may not be effective to extinguish fire.  

Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture

Hazardous Combustion Products: During a fire, smoke may contain the original material in addition to combustion products of varying composition which may be toxic and/or irritating.  Combustion products may include and are not limited to:  Carbon monoxide.  Carbon dioxide.  Nitrogen oxides.  

Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Container may rupture from gas generation in a fire situation.  Heating of liquid nitromethane in heavy walled closed vessels or process equipment can cause explosions.  Can detonate by adiabatic compression.  Nitromethane contaminated with sensitizing compounds (amines, alkalies, acids) may become shock sensitive.  Vapors are heavier than air and may travel a long distance and accumulate in low lying areas. Ignition and/or flash back may occur.  Flammable mixtures may exist within the vapor space of containers at room temperature.  Flammable concentrations of vapor can accumulate at temperatures above flash point.

Advice for firefighters

Fire Fighting Procedures: Keep people away.  Isolate fire and deny unnecessary entry.  Stay upwind.  Keep out of low areas where gases (fumes) can accumulate.  Evacuation of the entire area is required when nitromethane is known or suspected to be enclosed in heavy walled containers (pipes, tanks, etc.) in the vicinity of the fire.  Fight fire from protected location or safe distance. Consider the use of unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles.Immediately withdraw all personnel from area if nitromethane is confined in tanks or process vessels.  Do not attempt to fight fire.  Use water spray to cool fire exposed containers and fire affected zone until fire is out and danger of reignition has passed.  Water fog, applied gently may be used as a blanket for fire extinguishment.  Burning liquids may be extinguished by dilution with water.  Do not use direct water stream.  May spread fire.  Water may not be effective in extinguishing fire.  Hand held ABC type dry chemical, carbon dioxide or water extinguishers may be used for small fires.  Do not use bicarbonate based dry chemical extinguishers (Class BC).  Reaction with alkaline bicarbonates or other strong alkalis can form salts that may reignite when dry.  Eliminate ignition sources.  Burning liquids may be moved by flushing with water to protect personnel and minimize property damage.  

Special Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and protective fire fighting clothing (includes fire fighting helmet, coat, trousers, boots, and gloves).  If protective equipment is not available or not used, fight fire from a protected location or safe distance.

Accidental release measures

Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Isolate area.  Keep unnecessary and unprotected personnel from entering the area.  Keep personnel out of low areas.  Keep upwind of spill.  Ventilate area of leak or spill.  No smoking in area.  For large spills, warn public of downwind explosion hazard.  Eliminate all sources of ignition in vicinity of spill or released vapor to avoid fire or explosion.  Vapor explosion hazard.  Keep out of sewers.  Potentially violent decomposition, possibly detonation, can occur if product experiences adiabatic compression.  Do not heat liquid under confinement.  Do not confine between closed valves. Use of thin-walled vessels is recommended.  Use appropriate safety equipment. Refer to Section "Handling and storage" below, for additional precautionary measures.  

Environmental precautions: Prevent from entering into soil, ditches, sewers, waterways and/or groundwater.

Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up: Contain spilled material if possible.  Vapor explosion hazard.  Keep out of sewers.  Collect in suitable and properly labeled containers.  Suitable containers include thin-walled containers such as the original standard carbon steel nitromethane product drum.  Use non-sparking tools in cleanup operations.  Eliminate all sources of ignition in vicinity of spill or released vapor to avoid fire or explosion.  Ground and bond all containers and handling equipment.  Pump with explosion proof equipment.  Protect with 100 psig (690kPa) maximum relief devices.  If available, use foam to smother or suppress.  Pump into suitable and properly labeled containers.

Handling and storage

Precautions for safe handling

Handling

General Handling: Keep away from heat, sparks and flame.  Avoid mixing with strong alkalis or amines.  Avoid contact with eyes.  Avoid breathing vapor.  Do not swallow.  Keep container closed.  Use with adequate ventilation.  Wash thoroughly after handling.  No smoking, open flames or sources of ignition in handling and storage area.  Vapors are heavier than air and may travel a long distance and accumulate in low lying areas. Ignition and/or flash back may occur.  Ignition sources can include and are not limited to pilot lights, flames, smoking, sparks, heaters, electrical equipment, and static discharges.  Never use air pressure for transferring product.  Electrically bond and ground all containers and equipment before transfer or use of material.  Containers, even those that have been emptied, can contain vapors. Do not cut, drill, grind, weld, or perform similar operations on or near empty containers.  Use of non-sparking or explosion-proof equipment may be necessary, depending upon the type of operation.  Do not use positive displacement pumps with this material.  All pumps and sections of pipes where nitromethane could be confined, (including between valves) must be fitted with 100 psig (690 kPa) maximum relief devices.  

Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.  Minimize sources of ignition, such as static build-up, heat, spark or flame.  Keep container closed.  Do not store in:  Brass.  Copper.  Copper alloys.  Lead and its alloys.  Corrosive when wet (greater than 0.2 weight percent).  Store in stainless steel or aluminum if wet.

Transport information

Shippingopen allclose all
SpecialProvisionsopen allclose all
Shippingopen allclose all
Remarksopen allclose all

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

Shippingopen allclose all
Remarksopen allclose all
Shippingopen allclose all
Remarksopen allclose all
SpecialProvisionsopen allclose all

Exposure controls / personal protection

Stability and reactivity

Disposal considerations