Safety Statements: Poison by ingestion, intraperitoneal, and intravenous routes. An experimental teratogen. A human skin irritant and allergen. In the preparation of sponge rubber, an azo compound is used that decomposes to form tetramethylsuccinonitrile or TMSN. Rats exposed to a concentration of 90 ppm exhibit their first convulsion after 1.5–2 hours or less. Rats exposed to concentration of 5.5 ppm exhibited their first convulsions in 27–31 hours and were dead in 31–46 hours. Absorbed by skin. The fatal dose in humans is thought to be about 25 mg/kg of body weight. TSN is slowly detoxified by the body. This nitrile is different from other nitriles in that thiosulfate is a poor antidote for intoxication. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of CN− and NOx. See also CYANIDE.
Hazard Symbols: Toxic by inhalation and skin contact. TLV: 0.5 ppm.
