Amyl Nitrate

Excerpt from ERG Guide 128 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible)]:；CAUTION: The majority of these products have a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient. CAUTION: For mixtures containing alcohol or polar solvent, alcohol-resistant foam may be more effective.；SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam. If regular foam is ineffective or unavailable, use alcohol-resistant foam.；LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. If regular foam is ineffective or unavailable, use alcohol-resistant foam. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.；FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. For petroleum crude oil, do not spray water directly into a breached tank car. This can lead to a dangerous boil over. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2024)

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.；· Keep unauthorized personnel away.；· Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.；· Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.

· 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.；· Stop leak if you can do it without risk.；· Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.；· A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors.；· Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers.；· Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.；Large Spill；· Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal.；· Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces.

INHALATION: move to fresh air; support respiration; get medical attention.；INGESTION: induce vomiting; get medical attention.；EYES: irrigate thoroughly with water.；SKIN: wash with soap and water. (USCG, 1999)

General First Aid:；· Call 911 or emergency medical service.；· Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, take precautions to protect themselves and avoid contamination.；· Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely.；· Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.；· If victim is not breathing:；-- DO NOT perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; the victim may have ingested or inhaled the substance.；-- If equipped and pulse detected, wash face and mouth, then give artificial respiration using a proper respiratory medical device (bag-valve mask, pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other device).；-- If no pulse detected or no respiratory medical device available, provide continuous compressions. Conduct a pulse check every two minutes or monitor for any signs of spontaneous respirations.；· Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.；· For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin.；· In case of contact with substance, remove immediately by flushing skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.；· For severe burns, immediate medical attention is required.；· Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact) to substance may be delayed.；· Keep victim calm and warm.；· Keep victim under observation.；· For further assistance, contact your local Poison Control Center.；· Note: Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) should be done by trained professionals.；Specific First Aid:；· Wash skin with soap and water.

Vapors are heavier than air and will collect in low areas. Vapors may travel long distances to ignition sources and flashback. Vapors in confined areas may explode when exposed to fire. Storage containers and parts of containers may rocket great distances, in many directions.

Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or alcohol foam extinguishers. ... If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify downstream users of potentially contaminated waters. Notify local health and fire officials and pollution control agencies. From a secure, explosion-proof location, use water spray to cool exposed containers. If cooling streams are ineffective (venting sound increases in volume and pitch, tank discolors, or shows any signs of deforming), withdraw immediately to a secure position. ... The only respirators recommended for firefighting are self-contained breathing apparatuses that have full face-pieces and are operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.

Use water spray, dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool.

If material on fire or involved in fire: Do not extinguish fire unless flow can be stopped. Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Solid streams of water may be ineffective. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide.

Store in a flammable liquid storage area or approved cabinet away from ignition sources and corrosive and reactive materials. Prior to working with this chemical you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks, flames, and other combustible materials, such as wood, paper, or oil. Outside or detached storage is preferred. Before entering confined space where amyl nitrate may be present, check to make sure that an explosive concentration does not exist. Metal containers involving the transfer of this chemical should be grounded and bonded. Where possible, automatically pump liquid from drums or other storage containers to process containers. Drums must be equipped with self-closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and flame arresters. Use only nonsparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of this chemical. Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where this chemical is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard.

Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Outside or detached storage is preferred. Inside storage should be in a standard flammable liquids storage warehouse, room, or cabinet.

Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. Remove all ignition sources. Ventilate site of spill or leak. Use water spray to reduce vapors. Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material and deposit in sealed containers. Keep amyl nitrate out of a confined space, such as a sewer, because of the potential for an explosion, unless the sewer is designed to prevent the buildup of explosive concentrations. It may be necessary to contain and dispose of this chemical as a hazardous waste. If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify downstream users of potentially contaminated waters.

Emergency response personal protective equipment: Wear full protective clothing and positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus. Spill or leak procedures: Stop or control the leak, if this can be done without undue risk. Use water spray to cool and disperse vapors and protect personnel.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 128 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible)]:；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. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.；LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2024)

SRP: 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 air, soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations. If it is possible or reasonable use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination.

SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a permitted wastewater treatment facility is acceptable only after review by the governing authority and assurance that "pass through" violations will not occur. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal. If it is not practicable to manage the chemical in this fashion, it must be evaluated in accordance with EPA 40 CFR Part 261, specifically Subpart B, in order to determine the appropriate local, state and federal requirements for disposal.

Incineration with scrubber to remove nitrogen oxides in effluent gases.

If material not on fire and not involved in fire: Keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition away. Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Build dikes to contain flow as necessary. Use water spray to knock-down vapors.

Personnel protection: Avoid breathing vapors. Keep upwind. ... Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water.

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

Employees should wash immediately with soap when skin is wet or contaminated. Provide emergency showers and eyewash.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 128 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible)]:；IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.；LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).；FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)

Immediate precautionary measure；· Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.；Large Spill；· Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).；Fire；· If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 130(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that n-amyl nitrate is expected to have high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of n-amyl nitrate from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given a Henry's Law constant of 1.66X10-3 atm-cu m/mole(3). n-Amyl nitrate is expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 5.07 mm Hg at 25 °C(3). Biodegradation data in soil were not available(SRC, 2018).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 130(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that n-amyl nitrate is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(3) based upon a Henry's Law constant of 1.66X10-3 atm-cu m/mole(4). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(3), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 4 hrs and 5 days, respectively(SRC). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 29(SRC), from an estimated log Kow of 2.72(2) and a regression-derived equation(2), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Biodegradation data in water were not available(SRC, 2018).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), n-amyl nitrate, which has a vapor pressure of 5.07 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase n-amyl nitrate 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 5 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 3.0X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3). n-Amyl nitrate does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and, therefore, is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Amyl nitrate is a slightly yellow liquid. It is used in the military, has been used to increase the cetane number of diesel fuels, and is also a component of Otto fuel II. HUMAN STUDIES: Persons exposed in the laboratory during an inhalation study in animals developed nausea and headache. Patients presented with methemoglobinemia following oral ingestion of amyl nitrate. One patient had a methemoglobin fraction of 90.6%. ANIMAL STUDIES: Cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, and mice were exposed to measured concentrations of amyl nitrates in air. The order of decreasing susceptibility is mouse > rat and rabbit > guinea pig > cat. However, except for the cat, which survived all exposures including the highest, 3730 ppm for 7 hr, the differential susceptibility among species was small. All species survived exposures of 600 ppm for 10 days at 7 hr/day or 262 ppm for 20 days at 7 hr/day. High lethal levels of amyl nitrate produced signs and symptoms which were characterized by tremors, ataxia, alterations in respiration, lethargy, cyanosis, convulsions, coma, and deaths.

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc of n-amyl nitrate can be estimated to be 130(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that n-amyl nitrate is expected to have high mobility in soil(SRC).

RURAL/REMOTE: n-Amyl nitrate was present at an average concentration of 4 ptt in samples from a rural site in Egbert, located northwest of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, collected from March 26 - April 27, 1990. A relative formation rate in April of 0.25X10+3/sec was calculated(1). The total butyl and pentyl nitrate concentration ranged from 0.8 to 37 parts/trillion volume in atmospheric samples collected in the North Pacific during April-June 1986(2).

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Persons exposed in the laboratory during /an inhalation study in animals/ developed nausea and headache.

/CASE REPORTS/ OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of the Parklife annual music festival on the local hospital, North Manchester General. METHODS: Data was obtained retrospectively by analysis of emergency department records during the weekend of Parklife 2015. RESULTS: 32 patients were identified, 56% reported taking drugs. 34% were admitted for overnight observation. 4 patients presented with methemoglobinemia following oral ingestion of amyl nitrate. One patient had a methemoglobin fraction of 90.6%, which is amongst the most extreme recorded in literature. CONCLUSION: Music festivals can impose a burden on local health services. Organizers should operate an efficient surveillance system in order to prevent the sale and use of recreational drugs, providing adequate on-site health services and working in collaboration with local emergency services.

/CASE REPORTS/ We wish to report two cases of methemoglobinemia secondary to amyl nitrate use. A 55-year-old male presented with saturations in the mid 80s despite FiO2 of 1.0 and GCS /Glascow Coma Scale/ 10 and a 22-year-old female who presented with fluctuating GCS and a slate grey colour. Both were found to have high levels of methemoglobinemia on ABG /arterial blood gas/, were treated with methylene blue and made excellent recoveries. These cases illustrate the risk of methemoglobinemia secondary to amyl nitrate. Appropriate and prompt management can lead to very good outcomes.

n-Amyl nitrate's production and use in specific fuel formulations and former use as a diesel fuel additive(1) will result in its direct release to the environment(SRC). Organic nitrates, such as pentyl nitrate, are produced from the atmospheric oxidation of alkanes in the presence of high amounts of nitrogen oxide [NO](2).

An estimated BCF of 29 was calculated in fish for n-amyl nitrate(SRC), using an estimated log Kow of 2.72(1) and a regression-derived equation(1). According to a classification scheme(2), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC).

The Henry's Law constant for n-amyl nitrate is 1.6X10-3 atm-cu m/mole(1). This Henry's Law constant indicates that n-amyl nitrate is expected to volatilize from water surfaces(2). Based on this Henry's Law constant, the volatilization half-life from a model river (1 m deep, flowing 1 m/sec, wind velocity of 3 m/sec)(2) is estimated as 4 hours(SRC). The volatilization half-life from a model lake (1 m deep, flowing 0.05 m/sec, wind velocity of 0.5 m/sec)(2) is estimated as 5 days(SRC). n-Amyl nitrate is expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 5.07 mm Hg(1).

/OTHER TOXICITY INFORMATION/ ... Cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, and mice /were exposed/ to measured concentrations of amyl nitrates in air. ... The order of decreasing susceptibility is mouse > rat and rabbit > guinea pig > cat. However, except for the cat, which survived all exposures including the highest, 3730 ppm for 7 hr, the differential susceptibility among species was small. All species survived exposures of 600 ppm for 10 days at 7 hr/day or 262 ppm for 20 days at 7 hr/day. High lethal levels of amyl nitrate produced signs and symptoms which were characterized by tremors, ataxia, alterations in respiration, lethargy, cyanosis, convulsions, coma, and deaths. All exposures except 262 ppm produced signs in cats and guinea pigs, and some alterations in respiration were observed in rabbits and mice at the lowest concentration, 262 ppm. A cat exposed at 599 ppm developed methemoglobin levels up to 59.5% after the seventh exposure. Cats exposed at concentrations ranging from 1700 to 3700 ppm of amyl nitrates showed Heinz body formation. Animals that died during exposure had diffuse degenerative changes in the liver, kidneys, and brain and hyperemia and edema of the lungs. Those sacrificed at varying intervals after exposures had normal findings on pathological examination.

The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of n-amyl nitrate with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals is 3.0X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(1). This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 5 days at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(1). n-Amyl nitrate is expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the presence of functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions(2). n-Amyl nitrate does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(2) and, therefore, is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

Amyl Nitrate: HSNO Approval: HSR001085 Approved with controls

The New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act requires public and private employers to provide information about hazardous substances at their workplaces. (N.J.S.A. 34:5A-1 et. seq.)