Ethylene glycol dinitrate exposure

Although sudden deaths due to circulatory failure have been reported among workers exposed chronically to nitrated esters such as nitroglycerin and ethylene glycol dinitrate (Carmichael and Lieben 1963), no deaths attributable to cardiovascular effects were reported for U.S. Navy personnel involved in torpedo maintenance work (Horvath et al. 1981 Forman et al. 1987). The sudden deaths for workers in the explosives industry were attributed to a compensatory vasospasm that may produce coronary insufficiency upon withdrawal from nitrate ester exposure. 

Exposure. Inhalation skin absorption. Data on toxic effects are reported chiefly from industrial exposures to ethylene glycol dinitrate (EGDN)-NG mixed vapors. 

Einert CE et al Exposure to mixtures of nitroglycerin and ethylene glycol dinitrate. Am Ind HygArwr 7 24 435-447, 1963. 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, US Department of Health, Education and Welfare Criteria for a Recommended Standard... Occupational Exposure to Nitroglycerin and Ethylene Glycol Dinitrate. DHEW (NIOSH) Pub No 78-167, 215pp. Washington DC, US Government Printing Office, 1978... 

Use and exposure Ethylene glycol dinitrate, also called nitroglycol, is a colorless to yellow, oily liquid. It reacts with acids and is used in the manufacturing of explosives to lower the freezing point of nitroglycerin, in order to produce dynamite for use in colder weather. 

Precautions and storage On exposure to heating, ethylene glycol dinitrate may cause violent combustion or explosion in work areas and release toxic fumes and nitrogen oxides. Also, it may explosively decompose on shock, friction, or concussion. Storage of ethylene glycol dinitrate requires areas... 

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