DNP Info.

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As A Restricted Chemical

2,4-Dinitrophenol can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. It can irritate the skin. Long-term exposure
may cause a skin allergy to develop. Breathing DNP can irritate the nose and throat causing coughing and wheezing. High exposure to 2,4-dinitrophenol can affect the nervous system causing headache, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, convulsions (fits), and even death. Prolonged exposure to DNP may damage the liver and kidneys.
2-,4-Dinitrophenol is HIGHLY EXPLOSIVE, FLAMMABLE and
REACTIVE when DRY, and a DANGEROUS FIRE and
EXPLOSION HAZARD. Extreme caution must be exercised when handling, storing, and working with DNP in its raw form.

Identification

2,4-Dinitrophenol is a yellow crystalline (sand-like) solid but is often found in a solution. It is used in dyes, photo developers, explosives, and as a preservative of lumber.

Hazard Summary

• 2,4-Dinitrophenol can effect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin.
• 2,4-Dinitrophenol can cause reproductive damage. Handle with extreme caution.
• 2,4-Dinitrophenol is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID and a FIRE HAZARD.
• Contact can irritate the skin. Long term exposure may cause dermatitis.
• 2,4-Dinitrophenol can irritate the eyes, and may cause clouding of the eye lenses (cataracts).
• Breathing 2,4-Dinitrophenol can irritate the nose and throat.
• High or repeated exposure can affect the nervous system causing nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, convulsions and even death.
• 2,4-Dinitrophenol may damage the liver and kidneys.

Health Hazard Information

Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below.

Acute Health Effects

The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to 2,4-Dinitrophenol:
• 2,4-Dinitrophenol can irritate the skin and eyes.
• Breathing 2,4-Dinitrophenol can irritate the nose and throat.
• Exposure to 2,4-Dinitrophenol cause fatigue, thirst, sweating, headache and weakness. It may also cause anxiety and excitement.

Chronic Health Effects

The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to 2,4-Dinitrophenol and can last for months or years:

Cancer Hazard
According to the information presently available 2,4-dinitrophenol has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. As a rule phenols tend to be carcinogenic, but the effects that DNP has in that regards requires a more in-depth study to determine its effects.

Reproductive Hazard
There is limited evidence that 2,4-dinitrophenol may damage the developing fetus meaning that feal damage has occured in a small percentage of women who were exposed to DNP, but the number could be purely coincidental. No controlled studies have been performed to prove this hazard.

Cataract Development
The most notable health hazard that 2,4-dinitrophenol presents is the reason the FDA barred its use as a weight loss agent. During its short stay as the leading weight loss drug offered, less than 1% of the women who consumed this substance developed clouding of the eyes, or cataracts. Today, supplements are available to counter this effect as described in the Weight Loss section of this website.

Other Long-Term Effects
• Exposure to 2,4-Dinitrophenol can cause dermatitis.
• High or repeated exposure can effect the nervous system causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, anxiety, weakness, convulsions and even death.
• 2,4-Dinitrophenol may damage the liver and kidneys.

Medical Testing

If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful:
• Liver and kidney function tests.
• Exam of the eyes.
• Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose skin allergy.

Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure.

Precautions

When handling 2,4-DNP, wear protective gear. This includes gloves, eyewear, and other necessities to contain the form of the material being worked with (i.e. dust mask when working with powder). 2,4-Dinitrophenol is considered a restricted chemical so special cautions need to be taken when shipping because of its volatile nature. Reccipients and shippers alike must be aware of the nature of their cargo and informed of its shipping state and method. DNP in its bulk form should be shipped wetted with no less than 15% water by weight. The package should avoid friction, jarring, and heat to contain its explosiveness. The Environmental Protection Agency has more information on shipping regulations.