Ethyl Nitrite

Nitrogen Compounds -> Nitrates and Nitrites

Flammable agents - 4th degree

FRUITY TASTE

Burning, sweetish taste

0.9 at 59 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float

0.90 @ 15 °C/15 °C

0.900 @ 15.5°C

-31 °F (USCG, 1999)

-31 °F (-35 °C) (CLOSED CUP)

63 °F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)

17 °C

17 °C @760 [mm Hg]

-58 °F (USCG, 1999)

FP: -58 °F= -50 °C= 233 deg K

-50 °C

Danger

H220: Extremely flammable gas [Danger Flammable gases]

P203, P210, P222, P261, P264, P270, P271, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P304+P340, P317, P321, P330, P362+P364, P377, P381, P403, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 13.2% (36 of 272) of reports.

Danger

H220 (86.8%): Extremely flammable gas [Danger Flammable gases]

Chemical: Nitrous acid, ethyl ester

Nitrous acid, ethyl ester: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard

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.)

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic oxides of nitrogen are generated.

· HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.

Inhalation or ingestion causes headache, increased pulse rate, decreased blood pressure, and unconsciousness. Contact with liquid irritates eyes and skin. (USCG, 1999)

· TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.

Inhalation or ingestion can cause headache, rapid pulse, hypotension, and unconsciousness. [CHRIS] One fatality was reported after the breakage of a 4 liter bottle containing 24% ethyl nitrite in alcohol. Three cases of methemoglobinemia were reported in workers exposed during the synthesis of hydantoin (glycolylurea). [HSDB] Inhalation of high concentrations causes narcosis; Chronic exposure to chemicals with this reactive group can cause hepatitis; [CAMEO]

Ethyl nitrite is a food additive permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption as a synthetic flavoring substance and adjuvant in accordance with the following conditions: a) they are used in the minimum quantity required to produce their intended effect, and otherwise in accordance with all the principles of good manufacturing practice, and 2) they consist of one or more of the following, used alone or in combination with flavoring substances and adjuvants generally recognized as safe in food, prior-sanctioned for such use, or regulated by an appropriate section in this part.

· 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.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

INHALATION: remove victim from exposure; if breathing has stopped, give artificial respiration; call physician.

General First Aid:

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Biological Exposure Indices (BEI) [ACGIH] - Methemoglobin in blood = 1.5% of hemoglobin during or at end of shift. [ACGIH]

Use water spray, dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide. Use water spry to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Fight fire from protected location or maximum possible distance.

If material on fire or involved in fire: Do not extinguish fire unless flow can be stopped or safely confined. Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Solid streams of water may spread fire. 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.

Evacuation: If fire becomes uncontrollable or container is exposed to direct flame - consider evacuation of one-half (1/2) mile radius.

KEEP TIGHTLY CLOSED, IN A COOL PLACE, PROTECTED FROM LIGHT.

Store away from heat, oxidizers, and sunlight. Must be stored in a dry location. Outside or detached storage is preferred.

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

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. Attempt to stop leak if without undue personnel hazard. Use water spray to knock-down vapors.

Personnel protection: Avoid breathing vapors. Keep upwind. ... Avoid bodily contact with the material. ... 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.

If material leaking (not on fire) consider evacuation from downwind area based on amount of material spilled, location and weather conditions.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:

Immediate precautionary measure

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 81(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that ethyl nitrite is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of ethyl nitrite from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 8.7X10-5 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(3). The potential for volatilization of ethyl nitrite from dry soil surfaces may exist(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 620 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(4). A decomposition rate has not been published, however it is known that ethyl nitrite is slightly soluble(5) and decomposes in water(5). In addition, decomposition of ethyl nitrite is hastened by air, light, and moisture(5).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 81(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that ethyl nitrite is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment in water(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 8.7X10-5 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(4). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(3), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 7 and 146, respectively(SRC). A decomposition rate has not been published, however it is known that ethyl nitrite is slighlty soluable in water and is decomposed by it(7). In addition, decomposition of ethyl nitrite is hastened by air, light, and moisture(7). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 2(SRC), from an estimated log Kow(8) and a regression-derived equation(6), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low.

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: A decomposition rate has not been published, however it is known that decomposition of ethyl nitrite is hastened by air, light,and moisture(4). According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), ethyl nitrite, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 620 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely in the particulate phase in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase ethyl nitrite 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 34.5 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 1.75X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3).

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc for ethyl nitrite can be estimated to be 81(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that ethyl nitrite is expected to have high mobility in soil.

MAY CAUSE METHEMOGLOBINEMIA & HYPOTENSION, &, IN HIGH CONCN.../SRP: CNS DEPRESSION/.

Industrial intoxications characterized by headache, tachycardia, and methemoglobinemia have occurred. A fatality has been described following the inhalation of ethyl nitrite after accidental breakage of a 4 liter bottle containing 24% ethyl nitrite in alcohol.

Three cases of ethyl nitrite intoxication have been reported from Czechoslovakia during a synthesis of hydantoin (glycolylurea). Symptoms of both "nitrite" effect and methemoglobinemia were noted. In addition, there was a vasodilator effect upon the blood vessels of the sclerae, producing a peculiar redness of the eyes, ... No Heinz bodies were seen.

ADMIN OF SWEET SPIRITS OF NITRE (4% ETHYL NITRITE IN 70% ETHANOL) WAS FOLLOWED BY ACUTE METHEMOGLOBINEMIA & SEVERE ANOXIC METABOLIC ACIDOSIS IN INFANT TWINS, METHYLENE BLUE ADMIN REVERSED METHEMOGLOBINEMIA IN BOTH, BUT ONE TWIN DIED FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF HYPOXEMIA.

For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for ETHYL NITRITE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

An estimated BCF of 2 was calculated for ethyl nitrite(SRC), using an estimated log Kow of 1.4(1,SRC) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low.

The Henry's Law constant for ethyl nitrite is estimated as 8.7X10-5 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) using a fragment constant estimation method(1). This Henry's Law constant indicates that ethyl nitrite 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 7 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 6 days(SRC). Ethyl nitrite's Henry's Law constant(1) indicates that volatilization from moist soil surfaces may occur(SRC). The potential for volatilization of ethyl nitrite from dry soil surfaces may exist(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 620 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(3).

Mice and cats exposed for 15 min to 15 ppm did not show recognizable effects.

Inhalation of ethyl nitrite by dogs results in as much as 70 mm Hg depression in the blood pressure. This lasts approx 2 min after a single inhalation. Methemoglobin is formed but Heinz bodies have not been found.

A decomposition rate has not been published, however it is known that ethyl nitrite is slighlty soluable in water and is decomposed by it(2). In addition, decomposition of ethyl nitrite is hastened by air, light,and moisture(2). The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of ethyl nitrite with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals is 1.75X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(1). This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 34 days at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(1).

Occupational exposure to ethyl nitrite may occur through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where ethyl nitrite is produced or used. The general population may be exposed to ethyl nitrite via inhalation of auto exhaust from alcohol-fueled vehicles and ingestion of food in which ethyl nitrite has been used as a synthetic flavoring. (SRC)

ETHYL NITRITE IS DETECTED IN EXHAUSTS WHEN METHANOL & ETHANOL ARE USED AS FUELS. ETHYL NITRITE CONTENT OF EXHAUST FROM A VEHICLE FUELED WITH ETHANOL & OPERATED AT HIGHWAY CONDITIONS IS 1.0-9.0 & 16.5-27.0 PPM, RESPECTIVELY, IN INITIAL 1/2 HR & IN 17 HR.

Ethyl nitrite's production and use for preparing spirit nitrous ether and also for use in organic reactions may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. If released to air, an estimated vapor pressure of 620 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates ethyl nitrite will exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase ethyl nitrite will be degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals; the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 34 days. If released to soil, ethyl nitrite is expected to have high mobility based upon an estimated Koc of 81. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 8.7X10-5 atm-cu m/mole. Ethyl nitrite may volatilize from dry soil surfaces based upon its vapor pressure. If released into water, ethyl nitrite is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment in water based upon the estimated Koc. Volatilization from water surfaces is expected to be an important fate process based upon this compound's estimated Henry's Law constant. Estimated volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 7 hours and 146 hours, respectively. A decomposition rate has not been published, however it is known that ethyl nitrite is slighlty soluable in water and is decomposed by it. In addition, decomposition of ethyl nitrite is hastened by air, light,and moisture. An estimated BCF of 2 suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low. Occupational exposure to ethyl nitrite may occur through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where ethyl nitrite is produced or used. The general population may be exposed to ethyl nitrite via inhalation of auto exhaust from alcohol-fueled vehicles and ingestion of food in which ethyl nitrite has been used as a synthetic flavoring. (SRC)

Ethyl nitrite is a food additive permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption as a synthetic flavoring substance and adjuvant in accordance with the following conditions: a) they are used in the minimum quantity required to produce their intended effect, and otherwise in accordance with all the principles of good manufacturing practice, and 2) they consist of one or more of the following, used alone or in combination with flavoring substances and adjuvants generally recognized as safe in food, prior-sanctioned for such use, or regulated by an appropriate section in this part.

Ethyl nitrite

1

10000

Flammable chemical that can be released at a facility.

THE REACTIONS OF HUMAN HEMOGLOBIN WITH SODIUM NITRITE AND ETHYL NITRITE IN DEOXYGENATED MEDIA HAVE BEEN EXAMINED IN KINETIC DETAIL. ETHYL NITRITE REACTS WITH HEMOGLOBIN AT RATES THAT ARE AT LEAST 10 TIMES SLOWER THAN THOSE EXTRAPOLATED FOR NITROUS ACID, & HYDROLYSIS OF ALKYL NITRITE IS NOT COMPETITIVE WITH OXIDATION OF HEMOGLOBIN. THE EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS ARE INTERPRETED TO DESCRIBE ALKYL NITRITE, AND PRESUMABLY, NITROUS ACID ASSOCIATION WITH HEMOGLOBIN FOLLOWED BY RATE-LIMITED ELECTRON TRANSFER RESULTING IN NITRIC OXIDE AND ALKOXIDE (OR HYDROXIDE) PRODN. PROTON TRANSFER RESULTING IN ALC (OR WATER) FORMATION OCCURS SUBSEQUENT TO THE RATE-LIMITING STEP AS DO REACTIONS OF HEMOGLOBIN WITH NITRIC OXIDE.

THE REACTION OF HUMAN HEMOGLOBIN AND SPERM WHALE MYOGLOBIN UNDER AEROBIC CONDITIONS WITH ETHYL NITRITE HAVE BEEN EXAMINED. ETHYL NITRITE CONVERTS TWO EQUIVALENTS OF OXYHEMOGLOBIN TO THEIR OXIDIZED COUNTERPARTS WITH CONCURRENT PRODN OF ONE EQUIVALENT OF MOLECULAR OXYGEN, NITRATE ION, & ETHYL ALCOHOL.

Used to flavor foods and to synthesize other organic chemicals; [HSDB]

For preparing spirit nitrous ether

CHEM INTERMEDIATE; FLAVOR IN FOODS & BEVERAGES

Organic reactions, synthetic flavoring

FLAVORS USEFUL IN RUM, BRANDY, FRUIT FLAVORS.

REACTION OF NITROUS ACID & ETHANOL

Made by action of sodium nitrite on mixture of alcohol and sulfuric acid in the cold. In lab ethyl nitrite gas is ... Generated by placing 20 L of 90% ethanol in suitable vessel, diluting with 200 L of water ... While stirring, adding to dilute alcohol 18.3 kg of nitrosyl chloride @ the rate of 2.25 kg/hr ... Chase, US patent 2,615,896 (1952).

Nitrous acid, ethyl ester: ACTIVE

FEMA LIST OF GRAS SUBSTANCES REPORT USAGE AS SYNTHETIC FLAVOR INGREDIENT IN NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES 3.0 PPM, ICE CREAM, ICES...4.5 PPM; CANDY 0.10-8.0 PPM; BAKED GOODS 0.10 PPM; CHEWING GUM 3.9 PPM; SYRUPS 52 PPM; ICINGS 13 PPM.

FEMA NUMBER 2446

In prepn of spirit nitrous ether by mixing with 21 parts alcohol by weight.