United States Office of Pesticides
Environmental Protection and Toxic Substances
Agency (H7501C) 540/FS-90-083
&EPA Pesticide
Fact Sheet
Name of Chemical: LIQUID NITROGEN
Reason for Issuance: Unconditional Registration of a New Chemical
Date Issued: July 1987
Fact Sheet Number: 212
1.Description of Chemical;
Generic Name:Nitrogen, liquified under pressure
Common Name: Liquid or Liquified Nitrogen
Trade Name: Liquid Nitrogen; Nitrogen Liquified, under
pressure, LIN.
EPA Shaughnessy Code: 128962
Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) No. 7727-37-9
Year of initial registration: July 1987
Type of Pesticide: Termiticide (for drywood termites only)
Chemical Family: Inert Gas
U.S. Producer: Blizzard Systems Inc.
208 South Gaudalupe Ave.
Redondo 3each, CA 90277
2. Use Patterns and Formulations:
Application sites: Space within the walls of buildings.
Type of formulation: compressed gas, cryogenic liquid.
Method of Application: Special equipment is used to inject
the Liquid Nitrogen into the space within the walls of
bu ildi ngs.
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Application Rate: Application rates vary according to the
size of the infestation. Apply Liquid Nitrogen through pre-
drilled holes in the wall in the infested area until the
temperature reaches —20°F. This temperature must be
maintained for at least five minutes.
3. Science—Findings :
Adequate information is available to access the toxicological
and environmental hazards of this product for use as a
drywood termiticide.
Chemical Characteristic’s:
Physical state: compressed gas, cryogenic liquid
Odor: odorless
Color: colorless
Boiling point: —195.8°C or —320.5°F
Specific gravity: 0.97 at 70°
Solubility: limited solubility in water
Miscibility: miscible with other gases
Empirical Formula: N 2
Toxicology Data Requirements:
Acute oral toxicity ——Waived
Acute dermal toxicy ——Waived
Acute dermal -Waived
Prinary eye irritation — Waived
Primary dermal irritation — Waived
Environmental Data Requirements:
Fish & Wildlife — Waived
Environmental Fate — Waived
Tolerance Assessment:
There are no tolerances currently established for this
chemical. The use as a termiticjde is a non—food use and
does not require a tolerance.
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4. Summary of Regulatory Position and Required Unique Labeling :
The use of this product as a termiticide to control drywood
termites is restricted to use only by certified applicators
or persons under their direct supervision. The restriction is
due to the highly corrosive nature of liquid nitrogen on
contact with skin and eyes.
Based on the extremely corrosive nature of this product
special precautionary labeling regarding appropriate protect-
ive clothin.g is required:
“Corrosive, causes eye and skin damage on contact. Do not get
in eyes, on sin or on clothing. Wear goggles or faceshiel’3
and protective clothing suitable for use with cryogenic
liquids. Chemical goggles, face shields and loose fitting
gloves of impervious material should be used during handling
or transfer operation or whenever the possibility of exposure
to Liquid Nitrogen spills exist.”
5. Summary of Data Gaps :
All data to support the registration of this chemical was
waived. The data requirements for chronic, subacute and
acute toxicity, and wildlife and aquatic organisms were
waived on the rationale that approximately 70% of the
earth’s atmosphere is composed of nitrogen. The human body
is in constant contact with nitrogen in the atmosphere. The
toxic effects of liquid nitrogen are well known and readily
available. The likelihood of direct human exposure is
remote, since the product is injected into the space within
the walls of buildings using specialized equipment. Since
the product is intended for use indoors, the likelihood of
direct contact with environmentally sensitive areas
containing fish, birds, and wildlife is remote.
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6. Contact Persons at EPA
Phil Hutton
Product Manager 17
Insecticide—RodentiCide Branch
Registration Division (TS—767—C)
Washington, DC 20460
Telephone: (703) 557—2690
DISCLAIMER
The information presented in this Chemical Information Fact
Sheet is for informational purposes only and may not be used to
fill data requirements for pesticide registration and
reregistration.
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