2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

Immediate medical attention is needed in the case of: oral exposure, problems with breathing, the occurrence of allergic symptoms such as edema, loss of consciousness and other symptoms indicating a health condition aggravated.

IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. Ensure patency of respiratory tract, protect against heat loss. In case of breathing depression if possible administer oxygen until normal breathing is resumed. If necessary, make artificial respiration. Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.

IF ON SKIN: Gently wash with plenty of soap and water. Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

IF CONTACT WITH EYES: Immediately wash with plenty of running water for at least 10 minutes. Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell. Contamination of eyes results in lachrymation, pain, redness of conjunctivas with a risk of damage to cornea.

IF SWALLOWED: Try to remove poison as soon as possible inducing vomiting (by administering water or water with medicinal charcoal and then provoking vomits by irritation of posterior throat wall, e.g., with a finger). Do not administer milk or alcohol. Rinse mouth. Immediately call a POISON CENTER or a doctor/physician.

Fire-fighting measures

Suitable extinguishing media: Carbon dioxide, extinguishing powders, medium or heavy foams, diffused water currents

Minor fire: extinguish with powder or carbon dioxide extinguisher.

Major fire: Do not attempt to extinguish large fire, evacuate area.

Unsuitable extinguishing media: Light foams, compact water currents.

Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture: Explosion risk in case of fire. DO NOT fight fire when fire reaches explosives. If it is not possible to contain the fire very quickly, immediately withdraw  from the area on fire, evacuating people to the distance of minimum 800 m. Combustion products: Carbon oxides (CO, CO2), nitric oxides(NOx).

Advice for firefighters: Special protective equipment for firemen: Gas-tight protective suit with breathing apparatus insulating respiratory tract, face and head protection.

Accidental release measures

For non-emergency personnel: Use personal protective equipment. Avoid contacting with skin, eyes, breathing dust. Remove sources of ignition, extinguish open fire, impose ban on smoking and on use of sparking equipment, avoid direct contact with released material.

For emergency responders: Use follows personal protective equipment: Non-static clothes (cotton), leather or rubber footwear, rubber gloves. When pouring or sieving dry trinitrotoluene use dust-proof mask or half-mask.

Do not wash into sewer. Do not let this chemical enter the environmental.

Pick up spilled material into a sealed container using non-sparking tools and hand over to professional services for destroying. Contaminated product cannot be used in production.

Handling and storage

Work in a well-ventilated place, do not use sparking tools; avoid exposure to open fire, high temperatures, mechanical influences or friction. Don’t smoke. Warning! Explosion risk. Avoid spilling and dusting of the substance, don’t breathe dust. Avoid release to the environment.

When handling, do not eat or drink, avoid contact with the material, avoid inhaling of vapours and dust, observe personal hygiene principles, use personal protective equipment. Don’t smoke. After use, wash hands and take off protective clothing and personal protective equipment before entering into lunchroom.

Storage: Warehouse for explosives according to official regulations. Store in original sealed packaging in: dry, covered and protected from direct sunlight rooms, at temperature: 5 ÷ 30°C (the temperature range is specified for the substance at cardboard boxes, however, TNT can be storaged at temperature range:  -25 ÷ 30°C). TNT storage temperature mustn’t exceed 30°C due to the properties of TNT. Relative humidity of storage of TNT mustn’t exceed 50%. Materials assigned the same danger category can be stored in one storage area, storage in vicinity of concentrated acids, alkali, flammable things or substances is prohibited. At the storage area smoking, eating, and using an open flame and sparking tools is prohibited.

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

0209

Shipping

Shipping 1

Proper shipping name and description:

TRINITROTOLUENE (TNT), dry or wetted, containing less than 30 % of water by mass

Chemical name:

2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

Language:

English

Shipping 2

Proper shipping name and description:

TRÓJNITROTOLUEN (TROTYL, TNT), suchy lub zwilżony, zawierający mniej niż 30% masowych wody

Chemical name:

2,4,6-trinitrotoluen

Language:

Polish

Class or division:

Class 1: Explosives; Division 1.1

Compatibility group:

D

Labels:

1 + pictogram 'Dangerous for the environment'

SpecialProvisions

Inland waterway transport (UN RTDG/ADN(R))

UN number:

not available

Shipping

Labels:

not available

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

0209

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

TRINITROTOLUENE OR TNT

Chemical name:

2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

Class or division:

Class 1: Explosives; Division 1.1

Compatibility group:

D

Labels:

1

Remarks

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

UN number:

0209

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

TRINITROTOLUENE OR TNT

Chemical name:

2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

Class or division:

Class 1: Explosives; Division 1.1

Compatibility group:

D

Labels:

1

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

Technical protection measures:

Local exhaust ventilation with an enclosed dust emission area and general ventilation are necessary. Inlets of a local ventilation system located at work surface or below it. Outlets of a general ventilation system in the upper part of the room and near the floor. The ventilation systems must meet requirements set for fire or explosion hazard

Personal protective equipment:

Non-static clothes (cotton), leather or rubber footwear, rubber gloves. When pouring or sieving dry trinitrotoluene use dust-proof mask or half-mask and safety goggles. Analytical and

research works related to the heating of the substance carry out in a fume cupboard.

For technical TNT (containing 0.1% ≤ DNT <3%) additional more stringent RMM and operating conditions should be used to eliminate the exposure i.e:

- PPE/OC: same as for pure TNT (DNT content <0.1%) and additionally self-contained breathing apparatus or process containment in order to eliminate the exposure to vapors and dust.

- minimisation of the activity duration and number of staff exposed.

Stability and reactivity

Reactivity:

Explosive. The substance reacts with reducers dangerously. Forms highly explosive compounds in reaction with water solutions of bases, alcoholates and metals, sensitive to mechanic and thermal induction. Substance isn’t pyrophoric.

Stability:

The substance is stable provided that the appropriate handling of the substance.

Disposal considerations

Never dispose of wastes by draining to the sewage system, avoid contamination of surface water and soil.

Waste must be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local environmental control regulations.