TRINITR#T#LUENE (TNT)

PROFILE OF DRINKING WATER CONTAMINANTS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE
GENERAL INFORMATION
Trinitrotoluene or, more specifically, a/p/ja-TNT, is the
common designation for 2,4,6-dinitrotoluene, the most
widely used military high-explosive.
TNT is chemically stable and is known to withstand
storage for 20 years. Its stability is unaffected by moisture.
Production of TNT from 1969-1971 was reported at 45
million pounds per month. TNT wastes are classified as
"red water" and "pink water". Spent washings from the
sellite purification process used in TNT production—with a
high TNT solids content—are called red water. Pink water
comes from filter effluents, scrubber discharges, spent acid
recovery wastes, washout operations, and the evaporation
of condensate from the concentration of red water.
The environmental fate of TNT in wastewater is most no-
tably influenced by its degradation by photolysis and bio-
transformation. Photolysis of TNT waste is the primary pro-
cess for the loss of TNT from the environment In soil, ad-
sorption and molecular diffusion affect its migration.
PHARMACOKINETICS
TNT is absorbed by inhalation, ingestion, or skin con-
tact, rapidly biotransformed in the liver, and excreted
mainly in the urine. Less than 1 % is distributed to other
tissues. Rapid clearance precludes extensive
bioaccumulation. TNT is well absorbed (more than 50%
of administered dose) in a variety of test species. Several
urinary metabolites have been identified.
HEALTH EFFECTS
Humans
Exposure data gathered through occupational health sur-
veys conducted at Army Ammunition Plants indicated that at-
mospheric exposure to TNT at levels ranging from 0.02 to 3.0
mg/mJ for periods up to 6 months caused abnormalities in
the blood (increased white blood cell count and a reduction
in hematocrit, hemoglobin, and red blood cells).
Exposure can cause a yellow discoloration of the skin,
nails, and hair; a bluish discoloration of the mucosa; epi-
gastric pain, tenderness, or spasm; enlarged and palpable
liver, and changes in electrocardiogram and
electroencephalogram. An amber to deep red color to the
urine is also characteristic of exposure.
Initial exposure to TNT in the atmosphere may result
in mild irritation of the respiratory passages and skin, and
gastrointestinal distress. Absorption of sufficient amounts
of TNT through the skin or lungs can produce signs of
cyanosis, aplastic anemia, cataract formation, menstrual
disorders, neurological manifestations, and nephrotoxicity.
Toxic hepatitis and aplastic anemia are reported to be the
principal causes of death following TNT intoxication.
HEALTH EFFECTS
Experimental Animals
Tests in rabbits indicated that TNT is a mild skin irri-
tant but not an eye irritant In guinea pigs it was shown to
be a moderate skin sensitizing agent
Studies in rats, mice, and dogs fed TNT for periods up to
four weeks showed early but not persistent decreases in body
weight and food intake, red pigmented urine, splenic
hemosiderosis, some anemia, and testicular atrophy.
Effects seen in studies conducted in rats, mice, dogs,
and monkeys for periods of 13 weeks to 2 years included
dose-related reductions in body weight and food intake,
anemia, and red pigmented urine. Liver, spleen, and testes
were also affected.
The toxic effects of lifetime exposure to TNT in rats
and mice included anemia, increase in platelets, lympho-
cytes and white blood count, focal to multifocal
myelofibrosis of the bone marrow, and splenic, renal, and
liver injury.
Hyperplasia, papilloma, and carcinomas of the urinary
bladder occurred in rats in a 24 month study.
OTHER CRITERIA, ANALYSES, AND
TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH) 8-hour time-weighted average
Threshold Limit Value for exposure to TNT is 0.5 mg/m3.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit remains at 1.5 mg/m\
The U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery estab-
lished a target interim Maximum Contaminant Level of
0.05 mg/L of TNT in drinking water.
Methods for the analysis of TNT in wastewater include
colorimetry, spectrophotometry, gas chromatography, liq-
uid chromatography, and HPLC.
Treatment technologies for the removal of TNT in
wastewater include, for red water, molten salt bath reduc-
tion process, carbonate process, pyrolysis reduction pro-
cess,and sulfite recovery process. For the treatment of
pink water, absorption by activated carbon has been
widely practiced.
Incineration is also used to destroy red water concen-
trate and the spent carbon from pink'water treatment.
Development of photolysis-based treatment methods
is underway.

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Empirical Formula
Synonyms
CAS Number
Physical State
Molecular Weight
Boiling Point
Melting Point
Liquid Density
Solubility (at 20°C)
Flash Point
Health Effects Data and Advisory Values
Genotoxicity
Conflicting results in vitro in Salmonella typhimurium. Frame shift
reverse mutations and base pair substitutions in two studies, no effect in
another. Negative in in vitro studies using Saccharomyces cerevisiae,
negative for unscheduled DNA synthesis in rat hepatocytes and human
diploid fibroblasts, and negative in mouse bone marrow micronucleus
assay. In vivo, no genetic damage was induced by TNT.
Reproductive and
Developmental Effects
Testicular atrophy and hyperplasia were seen in short- and longer-term
studies. No other data were available in the literature concerning the
reproductive or developmental effects of TNT.
Cancer Classification
EPA Group C, possible human carcinogen based on urinary bladder
papilloma and carcinoma in female Fischer 344 rats.
Reference Dose (RfD)
0.0005 mg/kg/day
Drinking Water
Equivalent Level (DWEL)
0.02 mg/L
Health Advisory Values
One-Day 0.02 mg/L
Ten-Day 0.02 mg/L
Longer-Term 0.02 mg/L
Lifetime 0.002 mg/L
This summary was developed using information from the Drinking Water Health Advisory.
For further information contact EPA's Office of Science and Technology at (202) 260-7571.
Office of Science and Technology
Office of Water
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
June 17,1991
Physical and Chemical Properties
c7hsn3o6
TNT, alpha-Trinitrotoluol, 1-Methyl-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene, Trotyl, Tolite,
Triton, Tritol, Trilite, alpha-TNT
118-96-7	CHg
Yellow to white crystals	^2N
227.13	T J
210°C (10mm Hg) to 212°C (12mm Hg)
80.1-81.6°C	NOo
1.465 g/cm3
In water: 0.013g/100g. In carbon tetrachloride: 0.65g/100g. In toluene:
55 g/100 g. In acetone: 109 g/1 OOg.
240°C (explodes)

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