Standard Operating Procedure
Tetranitromethane
This is an SOP template and is not complete until the laboratory management has completed
the specific areas identified with red text. Print a copy and insert into your Laboratory Safety
Manual or Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Department:
Click here to enter text.
Date SOP was written:
Click here to enter a date.
Date SOP was approved by PI/lab supervisor:
Principal Investigator:
Click here to enter text.
Internal Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:
Lab Phone:
Click here to enter a date.
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text.
Office Phone:
Click here to enter text.
Emergency Contact:
Click here to enter text.
(Name and Phone Number)
Location(s) covered by this SOP:
Click here to enter text.
(Building/Room Number)
Type of SOP:
☐ Process
☒Hazardous Chemical
☐ Hazardous Class
Purpose
It has been investigated for use as an oxidizer in bipropellant rockets, however its high freezing
temperature makes it unsuitable. Highly purified tetranitromethane cannot be made to explode, but its
sensitivity is increased dramatically by oxidizable contaminents, such as anti-freezing additives. This
makes it effectively unusable as a propellant. In the laboratory it is used a reagent for the detection of
double bonds in organic compounds and as a nitrating reagent. It has also found use as an additive to
diesel fuel to increase the cetane number.
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#: 509-14-8
Class: Suspect Carcinogens
Molecular Formula: CN4O8
Form (physical state): liquid
Tetranitromethane
ASU Department of Environmental Health & Safety
1
Date: 11/7/2012
Color: pale yellow
Boiling point: 126 oC
Potential Hazards/Toxicity

Accute Health Effects: Irritating to the skin and eyes on contact. Inhalation will cause
irritation to the lungs and mucus membrane. Irritation to the eyes will cause watering and
redness. Reddening, scaling, and itching are characteristics of skin inflammation. Follow safe
industrial hygiene practices and always wear protective equipment when handling this
compound. May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through skin. Causes eye
irritation. Causes skin irritation. Absorption into the body leads to the formation of
methemoglobin, which in sufficient concentration causes cyanosis. Onset may be delayed 2
to 4 hours or longer. Can cause CNS depression.


Chronic Health Effects: Carcinogen. Damage to the heart Damage to the eyes
Accute Health Effects: This product is listed by NTP (Sufficient evidence of
carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals) and OSHA (Suspected Human
Carcinogen: Agent is carcinogenic in experimental animals at dose levels, by route(s) of
administration, at site(s), of histology type(s), or by mechanism(s) considered relevant to
worker exposure. Available epidemiological studies are conflicting or insufficient to
confirm an increased risk of cancer in exposed humans) as suspected human carcinogen.
.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Respirator Protection
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a full-face respirator with
multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to
engineering controls. If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air
respirator. Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government
standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU)...
Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances:
 As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been
exhausted).
 When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a possibility that PEL will
be exceeded.
 Regulations require the use of a respirator.
 An employer requires the use of a respirator.
 There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the absence of
PEL)
 As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process
Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S. This is a
regulatory requirement.
Hand Protection
Tetranitromethane
ASU Department of Environmental Health & Safety
2
Date: 11/7/2012
Handle with gloves. Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique (without
touching
glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in
accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands..
NOTE: Consult with your preferred glove manufacturer to ensure that the gloves you plan on using are
compatible with tetranitromethane
Refer to glove selection chart from the links below:
http://www.ansellpro.com/download/Ansell_8thEditionChemicalResistanceGuide.pdf
OR
http://www.allsafetyproducts.biz/page/74172
OR
http://www.showabestglove.com/site/default.aspx
OR
http://www.mapaglove.com/
Eye Protection
Face shield and safety glasses Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate
government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU)..
Skin and Body Protection
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according
to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace..
Hygiene Measures
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before breaks and at
the end of
workday.
Engineering Controls
Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to keep airborne levels
below recommended exposure limits. If user operations generate dust, fume or mist, use ventilation to
keep exposure to airborne contaminants below the exposure limit.
First Aid Procedures
If inhaled
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give
oxygen. Get medical attention.
In case of skin contact
After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of water. Gently and thoroughly wash the
contaminated skin with running water and non-abrasive soap. Be particularly careful to clean folds,
crevices, creases and groin. Cold water may be used. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. If irritation
persists, seek medical attention.
In case of eye contact
Check for and remove any contact lenses. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water
for at least 15 minutes. Cold water may be used. Get medical attention immediately.
If swallowed
Do not induce vomiting. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. If the victim is not
breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Seek immediate medical attention.
Tetranitromethane
ASU Department of Environmental Health & Safety
3
Date: 11/7/2012
Special Handling and Storage Requirements
Storage Temperatures: Store at ambient temperature Shelf Life: Unlimited in tightly closed
container. Special Sensitivity: None Handling/Storage Precautions: Avoid breathing dust.
Avoid getting in eyes or on skin. Wash thoroughly after handling. Store in a dry place away from
direct sunlight, heat and incompatible materials (see Section X). Reseal containers immediately
after use. Store away from food and beverages. .
Spill and Accident Procedure
Chemical Spill Dial 911 and 480-965-1823
Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area.
Avoid breathing vapors. If possible, confine the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent material.
Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.).
Small (<1 Liter) – Follow the “Hazardous Materials Incident” guidance in the posted Emergency
Response Guide.
Large (>1 Liter) – Dial 911. Follow guidance for major spill or leak in the posted Emergency Response
Guide
Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency shower
for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and ASU EH&S at 480-965-1823.
Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water from the
emergency eyewash station for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention.
Notify supervisor and ASU EH&S at 480-965-1823.
Medical Emergency Dial 911
Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends And Holidays – Dial 911. Note: all injuries and
incidents must be reported to ASU EH&S, 480-965-1823.
Non-Life Threatening Emergency –Report to your ASU campus health Services Center (451 E.
University Drive, south side of University Drive, west of Palm Walk, Hours: M-F, 8am – 6pm, Sat., 10am –
2pm). Outside of these hours, report to Tempe St. Luke’s ER, 1500 S. Mill Avenue. Note: all injuries and
incidents must be reported to ASU EH&S, 480-965-1823.
Needle stick/puncture exposure (as applicable to chemical handling procedure) – Wash the affected
area with antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For mucous membrane exposure, flush the
affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash station. Report to your ASU campus Health Services
Center (451 E. University Drive, south side of University Drive, west of Palm Walk, Hours: M-F, 8am –
6pm, Sat., 10am – 2pm). Outside of these hours, report to Tempe St. Luke’s ER, 1500 S. Mill Avenue.
Note: all injuries and incidents must be reported to ASU EH&S, 480-965-1823.
Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure
Waste Disposal:
Tetranitromethane
ASU Department of Environmental Health & Safety
4
Date: 11/7/2012
Waste must be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local environmental control regulations..
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
Label Waste
Attach a completed ASU Hazardous Waste tag to all waste containers as soon as the first drop
of waste is added to the container.
Store Waste

Store hazardous waste in closed containers, in secondary containment and in a designated
location
 Double-bag dry waste using transparent bags
 Waste must be under the control of the person generating & disposing of it
Dispose of Waste



Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 90 days
Call EH&S at 480-965-8554 for questions
Empty Containers
o Dispose as hazardous waste if it once held extremely hazardous waste (irrespective of
the container size)
o Consult waste pick-up schedule
Prepare for transport to pick-up location
 Check on-line waste tag
 Write date of pick-up on the waste tag
 Use secondary containment
Protocol/Procedure (Add lab specific Protocol/Procedure here)
Enter Text Here
NOTE
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required)

Prior to conducting any work regarding this SOP, Principal Investigator or designee must provide
to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with this substance,
work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.

The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP and
a copy of the MSDS provided by the manufacturer.

The Principal Investigator must ensure that his/her laboratory personnel have attended
appropriate/required safety training (i.e. Biosafety, Fire Safety & Prevention, Hazardous Waste
Management, Laboratory Safety ) or refresher training within the last one year.
Tetranitromethane
ASU Department of Environmental Health & Safety
5
Date: 11/7/2012
I have read and understand the content of this SOP:
Name
Signature
Date
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter
a date.
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter
a date.
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter
a date.
Click here to enter
a date.
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter
a date.
Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter
a date.
Tetranitromethane
ASU Department of Environmental Health & Safety
6
Date: 11/7/2012