Hydrazine

Overview

CAS No. 302-01-2 Hydrazine; CAS No. 57-14-7 1 Dimethylhydrazine; CAS No. 540-73-8 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine

Hydrazines (H₂NNH₂) are clear, colorless liquids with an ammonia-like odor. Hydrazines are highly reactive and easily catch fire. Workers may be harmed from exposure to hydrazine. The level of harm depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done.

Hydrazine is used in many industries, such as the manufacturing of rocket propellants and fuels for spacecraft. Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to hydrazine include the following:

• Workers who use it for boiler water treatments to protect against corrosion
• Industrial workers who use it as a chemical reactant
• Researchers who explore cancer treatments
• Agricultural workers who use it in pesticides

NIOSH recommends that employers use Hierarchy of Controls to prevent injuries. If you work in an industry that uses hydrazine, please read chemical labels and the accompanying Safety Data Sheets for hazard information. Visit NIOSH’s page on Managing Chemical Safety in the Workplace to learn more about controlling chemical workplace exposures.

The following resources provide information about occupational exposure to hydrazine. Useful search terms for hydrazine include “diamine,” “hydrazine (anhydrous),” and “hydrazine base.”

NIOSH Chemical Resources

Related NIOSH Resources

• NIOSHTIC-2 search results for hydrazines—NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable database of worker safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.
• NIOSH Worker Health Study Summaries—NIOSH conducts research to prevent illnesses and injuries in the workplace.

Selected Publications

• NIOSH skin notation (SK) profile: Hydrazine—Understanding the hazards related to skin contact with chemicals is a critical component of modern occupational safety and health programs.
• Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) Value Profile: Hydrazine—NIOSH reviews relevant scientific data and researches methods for developing IDLH values.
• Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Hydrazine DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 78-172 (1978)– Presents a standard to prevent the adverse effects of exposure to hydrazine over a working lifetime.
• Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for Hydrazine—This guideline helps stakeholders conduct effective occupational safety and health programs.

Related Resources

• ATSDR ToxFAQs for Hydrazine
• ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Hydrazines
• EPA Acute Exposure Guideline Levels: Hydrazine
• EPA Air Toxics: Hydrazine
• EPA Integrated Risk Information System: Hydrazine
• NLM Hazardous Substance Data Bank: Hydrazine
• NLM Haz-Map: Hydrazine
• National Cancer Institute Cancer Topics: Hydrazine Sulfate
• NTP Carcinogen Reports 14th Edition 2016: Hydrazine, Hydrazine Sulfate
• OSHA Safety and Health Topics: Hydrazine
• New Jersey Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets: Hydrazine
• EPA Chemistry Dashboard
• OSHA Hazard Communication

International Resources

• IARC Monographs Vol 115 (2018): Hydrazine
• IARC Monographs Vol. 71: Hydrazine
• European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): Search for hydrazines
• Gestis Substance Database
• ILO International Safety Cards for Hydrazines

• Table

  0147	1,1-DIMETHYLHYDRAZINE – (Dimethylhydrazine, N,N-Dimethylhydrazine, unsym-Dimethylhydrazine, UDMH)
  0180	METHYL HYDRAZINE – (Monomethylhydrazine, MMH)
  0263	1,2-DIPHENYLHYDRAZINE – (Hydrazobenzene, Diphenylhydrazine, N,N’-Bianiline)
  0281	HYDRAZINE – (Diamide, Diamine, Nitrogen hydride, (anhydrous))
  0938	PHENYLHYDRAZINE – (Hydrazinobenzene, Monophenylhydrazine)
  1662	1,2-DIMETHYLHYDRAZINE – (Symmetrical dimethylhydrazine, N,N’-Dimethylhydrazine, SDMH)

• IPCS INCHEM: Hydrazine
• OECD Global Portal to Information on Chemical Substances
• WHO (Environmental Health Criteria 68): Hydrazine
• WHO (Health and Safety Guide No. 56): Hydrazine
• Japan (Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute): Hydrazine