THE TOXICOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTIC OF HYDRAZINE,

Lethal concentrations of hydrazine vapors are of the order of 1.0 to 2.0 mgliter. Concentrations of the order of 0.5 to 0.8 mgliter are abreactive though they result in pronounced disturbances. A threshold concentration of hydrazine which produces minimal disturbances of the higher nervous activity of animals with a one-time application is a concentration of 0.02 mgliter. It produces an increased irritability of the central nervous system. The clinical picture of acute hydrazine poisoning includes an irritating effect upon the mucuous membranes of the eyes, upper respiratory tracts and a general excitation, sometimes accompanied by convulsions. The morphological changes of the inner organs include extensive vascular disturbances, lung edema, and necrobiotic changes of the liver and kidneys. Prolonged exposure to hydrazine vapors in small concentrations may cause a chronic poisoning. The capability of hydrazine to penetrate the body through the skin and to produce a heavy and even lethal poisoning, as well as its capability to cause an acute skin irritation, and of the mucuous emembranes of the eye make it necessary to protect the skin and eyes from direct contact with hydrazine.