Agent HN2 Nitrogen Mustard

Agent HN2 [bis(2-chloroethyl)methylamine] can cause nausea, vomiting, bone marrow suppression, and leukopenia, as well as hyperpigmentation of the skin and loss of hair and hearing (POISINDEX 1993). The chemical has been associated with birth defects in humans and is also a carcinogen. 

Subchronic Toxicity. No studies were found in the available literature concerning the subchronic toxicity of HN2 in animals or humans. 

Chronic Toxicity. No studies were found in the available literature concerning the chronic toxicity of HN2 in animals or humans by the oral exposure route. In a 50-wk study in which 20 mice were injected subcutaneously with 1 mg HN2 kg wk , 3 of 10 animals surviving for at least 250 d exhibited chronic lymphocytopenia (Boyland and Homing 1949). 

Delayed Toxicity. Shimkin et al. (1966) reported testicular atrophy with decreased spermatogenic activity in A/J mice 39 wk after intraperitoneal treatment with HN2-hydrochloride. Twelve thrice weekly injections were given, resulting in total doses of 0.02, 1.1, 4.5, and 17.5 Limoles/kg. 

Developmental and Reproductive Effects. Sokal and Lessmann (1960) reported that no abnormalities occurred in the offspring of four women with Hodgkin s disease who had been treated with HN2 during the first and third or second and third trimesters of pregnancy. 

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