Overview

2-Nitropropane, also known as 2-NP, is a high volume chemical that the general population is not exposed to frequently, but does affect people working with the chemical. Occupational exposure occurs to about 4,000 workers a year and is from cigarette smoke (1.1 to 1.2 µg/cigarette), residues in coatings such as beverage can coatings, adhesives and print, and vegetable oils fractionated with 2-NP, and as a gasoline additive (INCHEM, 1992).

Chemical Description

2-Nitropropane is clear, colorless liquid with a slightly fruity odor that is flammable and stable under normal conditions (US HHS, 2005) and INCHEM, 1992). It is slightly soluble in water and miscible in numerous solvents including most aromatic [hydrocarbons], [ketones], [esthers], and [ethers] (US HHS, 2005).

Uses

2-NP is used as a solvent, industrial intermediary, in explosives, and as an additive in [gasoline] (US HHS, 2005.

2-Nitropropane is used as an industrial solvent in the following industries (from OSHA):

• coatings for vinyl, epoxy, nitrocellulose, and chlorinated rubber
  
• printing inks
  
• adhesives
  
  

Industries

• industrial construction and maintenance
  
• printing (rotogravure and flexographic inks)
  
• highway maintenance (traffic markings)
  
• shipbuilding and maintenance (marine coatings)
  
• furniture
  
• food packaging
  
• plastic products
  
  

Health Effects

2-NP is "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" with extensive evidence of it being carcinogenic in rats and there are numerous different estimates of how many workers have been exposed historically (US HHS, 2005 and EPA, 2005).

Human exposure to 2-NP is nearly completed from occupational exposure and high concentrations of 2-NO are highly toxic and have produced fatalities (INCHEM, 1992). Initial symptoms include headache, nausea, drowsiness, vomiting, and diarrhea and, in causes of fatalities, hepatic failure was the primary cause of death with lung oedema, gastrointestinal bleeding, and respiratory and kidney failure being contributing factors (INCHEM, 1992).

Environmental Effects

2-NP is highly mobile in the environment, slightly soluble in water, slightly bioaccumulative, and highly evaporative (INCHEM, 2002).

References

United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). "High Production Volume (HPV) Challenge - Robust Summaries & Test Plans: 2-Nitropropane". May, 2005.

International Programme in Chemical Safety (INCHEM). "ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CRITERIA 138 - 2-NITROPROPANE". 1992.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (US HHS). Public Health Service. National Toxicology Program. "11th Report on Carcinogens - 2-Nitropropane". January 31, 2005.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. "Chemical Sampling Information - 2-Nitropropane". Revision Date: 01/12/1999. Accessed 12-10-07.