2,4,6-Trinitro-m-cresol

Cargo fire: Do not fight fire when fire reaches cargo! Cargo may explode! Stop all traffic and clear the area for at least 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions and let burn. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat. Tire or vehicle fire: Use plenty of water - flood it! If water is not available, use carbon dioxide, dry chemical or dirt. If possible, and without risk, use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles from maximum distance to prevent fire from spreading to cargo area. Pay special attention to tire fires as re-ignition may occur. Stand by, at a safe distance, with extinguisher ready for possible re-ignition.

If rail car or trailer is involved in a fire, isolate for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, initiate evacuation including emergency responders for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions.

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.

Non-fire response: Eliminate all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area). All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Do not operate radio transmitters within 100 meters (330 feet) of electric detonators. Do not clean-up or dispose of, except under supervision of a specialist.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 3760(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that trinitro-meta-cresol is expected to have slight mobility in soil(SRC). The pKa of trinitro-meta-cresol is 2.53(3), indicating that this compound will exist almost entirely in the anion form in the environment and anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts(4). Volatilization from moist soil is not expected because the compound exists as an anion and anions do not volatilize. Trinitro-meta-cresol is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 1.3X10-6 mm Hg at 25 °C(4). Screening studies using structurally similar compounds (2,4,6-trinitrophenol and trinitroresorcinol) suggest that trinitro-meta-cresol is resistant to biodegradation under aerobic conditions(5-7). Trinitro-meta-cresol contains chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(8) and, therefore, may be susceptible to direct photolysis on surfaces exposed to sunlight(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 3760(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that trinitro-meta-cresol is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). A pKa of 2.53(3) indicates trinitro-meta-cresol will exist almost entirely in the anion form at pH values of 5 to 9 and, therefore, volatilization from water surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC). According to a classification scheme(4), an estimated BCF of 11(SRC), from an estimated log Kow of 2.09(2) and a regression-derived equation(2), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Screening studies using structurally similar compounds (2,4,6-trinitrophenol and trinitroresorcinol) suggest that trinitro-meta-cresol is resistant to biodegradation under aerobic conditions(5-7). Trinitro-meta-cresol is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions(8). Trinitro-meta-cresol contains chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(8) and, therefore, may be susceptible to direct photolysis on water surfaces exposed to sunlight(SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), trinitro-meta-cresol, which has a vapor pressure of 1.3X10-6 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase trinitro-meta-cresol 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 58 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 2.8X10-13 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). Particulate-phase trinitro-meta-cresol may be removed from the air by wet and dry deposition(SRC). Trinitro-meta-cresol contains chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and, therefore, may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc of trinitro-meta-cresol can be estimated to be 3760(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that trinitro-meta-cresol is expected to have slight mobility in soil. The pKa of trinitro-meta-cresol is 2.53(3), indicating that this compound will exist almost entirely in anion form in the environment and anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts(4).

AEROBIC: Incubation studies using microorganisms from soil, water and mud suggested that 2,4,6-trinitroresorcinol (structurally similar to trinitro-meta-cresol) is recalcitrant to biodegradation(1). The structurally similar 2,4,6-trinitrophenol, present at 100 mg/L, reached 23% of its theoretical BOD in 4 weeks using an activated sludge inoculum at 30 mg/L in the Japanese MITI test which classified the compound as not readily biodegradable(2). Other biodegradation screening studies have also found 2,4,6-trinitrophenol resistant to degradation under aerobic conditions(3,4).

An estimated BCF of 1 was calculated in fish for trinitro-meta-cresol(SRC), using an estimated log Kow of 2.09(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). BCF values of <0.24 to <2.2 were measured in carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to the structurally similar 2,4,6-trinitrophenol over a 6 week exposure period(3).

A pKa of 2.53(1) indicates trinitro-meta-cresol will exist almost entirely in the anion form at pH values of 5 to 9 and, therefore, volatilization from water surfaces or moist soil is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC). Trinitro-meta-cresol is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 1.3X10-6 mm Hg(2).

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Numerous chemical compounds were experimentally screened for toxicity as a routine procedure for estimating a chronic dose for the Sarcoma 180 assay. Adult mice were given intraperitoneal, single doses of solutions or suspensions of each compound. Weight response was determined, and animals were observed for seven days. Compounds found highly toxic included 3,4-difluorobenzenearsonic-acid; 2,4,6-trinitro-m-cresol; 4-ethyl-2,6-dinitrophenol; 4-isopropyl-2,6-dinitrophenol; 2-(1-methylbutyl)-4,6-dinitrophenol; and 2-acetamido-4,5-bis-(acetoxymercuri)-thiazole. Seventy-nine compounds were tested.

The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of trinitro-meta-cresol with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals has been estimated as 2.8X10-13 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) using a structure estimation method(1). This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 58 days at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(1). Trinitro-meta-cresol is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions(2). Trinitro-meta-cresol contains chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(2) and, therefore, may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC). Under simulated solar radiation, the structurally similar 2,4,6-trinitrophenol concentration in seawater decreased from 3,510.55 umoles/L to 3,206.05 umoles/L after 47 days exposure(3).

Trinitro-meta-cresol's production and use in bursting charges and other high explosive uses may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. If released to air, a vapor pressure of 1.3X10-6 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates trinitro-meta-cresol will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the atmosphere. Vapor-phase trinitro-meta-cresol 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 58 days. Particulate-phase trinitro-meta-cresol will be removed from the atmosphere by wet and dry deposition. Trinitro-meta-cresol contains chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm and, therefore, may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight. If released to soil, trinitro-meta-cresol is expected to have slight mobility based upon an estimated Koc of 3760. The pKa of trinitro-meta-cresol is 2.53, indicating that this compound will exist almost entirely in the anion form in the environment and anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts. Volatilization from moist soil is not expected because the compound exists as an anion and anions do not volatilize. Trinitro-meta-cresol is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces based upon its vapor pressure. Screening studies using structurally similar compounds (2,4,6-trinitrophenol and trinitroresorcinol) suggest that trinitro-meta-cresol is resistant to biodegradation under aerobic conditions. If released into water, trinitro-meta-cresol is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment based upon the estimated Koc. A pKa of 2.53 indicates trinitro-meta-cresol will exist almost entirely in the anion form at pH values of 5 to 9 and, therefore, volatilization from water surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process. An estimated BCF of 11 suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low. Hydrolysis is not expected to be an important environmental fate process since this compound lacks functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions (pH 5 to 9). Occupational exposure to trinitro-meta-cresol may occur through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where trinitro-meta-cresol is produced or used. (SRC)

Trinitro-meta-cresol

A Commercial Grade

5000

A Commercial Grade

400

Explosive chemical that can be released at a facility.