Tetranitro Methane (CN₄O₈) is a dangerous chemical used in many industries, but did you know it can seriously affect the health of workers? Let’s explore its impact on the respiratory system, skin, eyes, and the risk of cancer when working in an environment containing this substance!
1. What is Tetranitro Methane (Methane, tetranitro-)?
Tetranitro Methane, with the chemical formula CN₄O₈, is an organic compound composed of one carbon atom bonded to four nitro groups (–NO₂). This compound exists as a colorless or pale yellow liquid with a characteristic pungent odor. It has a molecular weight of 196.04 g/mol, a melting point of about 13.8°C, and a boiling point of about 126°C.
Tetranitro Methane is known as a strong oxidizing agent and is highly reactive. In the laboratory, it is used as a reagent to detect double bonds in organic compounds and as a nitrating agent. Additionally, it has been studied for use as an oxidizer in liquid rocket propellants and as an additive for diesel fuel to increase the cetane number.
However, Tetranitro Methane is very toxic and can be hazardous to human health. Exposure to small amounts of this substance can lead to methemoglobinemia, pulmonary edema, and damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. It is also considered a potential human carcinogen.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Tetranitro Methane | Tetranitro Methane (Methane, tetranitro-) | 29042090 | 509-14-8 | CN4O8 |
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2. Where does Tetranitro Methane (Methane, tetranitro-) originate from in the production process?
During industrial production, Tetranitro Methane can arise as an unwanted by-product in chemical reactions involving nitro compounds. Particularly, in the explosives and fuel manufacturing industries, the use of nitro compounds can lead to the formation of Tetranitro Methane if the process is not strictly controlled. Additionally, during the synthesis of organic chemicals, if strong oxidizing agents and nitro-containing compounds are present, Tetranitro Methane can also be created. Identifying and controlling the sources of Tetranitro Methane during production is crucial to ensure occupational safety and minimize the negative health impacts on workers.

3. Industries that use Tetranitro Methane (Methane, tetranitro-) in production
Tetranitro Methane is used in some specific industries. In the field of rocket fuel production, it acts as a powerful oxidizer, supporting the combustion process and increasing fuel efficiency. In addition, in the chemical industry, Tetranitro Methane is used as a reagent to detect double bonds in organic compounds and as a nitrating agent. However, due to its toxic and hazardous nature, the use of Tetranitro Methane is strictly controlled and limited to special applications where it cannot be replaced by safer compounds.
4. How does Tetranitro Methane (Methane, tetranitro-) affect workers?
Exposure to Tetranitro Methane can cause many negative health effects for workers. When its vapor is inhaled or it comes into direct contact with the skin, this substance can cause severe irritation, leading to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and difficulty breathing. Prolonged exposure or exposure to high concentrations can cause serious damage to the respiratory system, liver, and kidneys. Furthermore, Tetranitro Methane is considered a potential carcinogen, increasing the risk of developing malignant diseases in workers. Therefore, identifying and controlling hazardous and harmful factors in the workplace is very important to protect the health of workers.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Tetranitro Methane (Methane, tetranitro-) for human exposure
According to the National Technical Regulation QCVN 03:2019/BYT, the permissible exposure limit (TLV) for Tetranitro Methane in the work environment is regulated as follows:
Time-Weighted Average (TWA): 0.005 ppm (parts per million)
Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL): 0.02 ppm
TWA is the average concentration of a substance in the air that a worker can be continuously exposed to for an 8-hour workday, 40 hours a week, without significant adverse health effects. STEL is the maximum concentration a worker can be exposed to for a short period (15 minutes), and this limit must not be exceeded during a work shift. Adherence to these limits is necessary to ensure the safety of workers when exposed to Tetranitro Methane.

On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, adhering to safety standards and limiting exposure to Tetranitro Methane is important. Organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States provide guidelines and safety principles to protect workers from the negative impacts of chemical substances.
6. Measures to minimize the health effects of Tetranitro Methane (Methane, tetranitro-) on workers
To minimize the health effects of Tetranitro Methane on workers, effective control and prevention measures must be implemented. First of all, occupational environment monitoring plays a crucial role in supervising and assessing hazardous factors at the workplace, thereby leading to measures to reduce harm to workers’ health.
In addition, it is necessary to establish effective ventilation and exhaust systems to reduce the concentration of chemical vapors in the air. Workers should be fully equipped with personal protective equipment such as respirators, gloves, and appropriate protective clothing. Training and education on occupational safety, especially on how to handle and work safely with dangerous chemicals, are also essential.
Compliance with occupational safety and health regulations, along with the implementation of preventive measures, will help protect the health of workers and minimize the risks when exposed to Tetranitro Methane.
Occupational safety training: Workers need to be trained and educated on the risks and safety measures when working with this type of chemical. This training should be provided periodically and regularly to ensure understanding and proper compliance with safety rules.
Periodically organize occupational environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce the level of hazard to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Occupational Environment Monitoring Center
Nam Viet’s Occupational Environment Monitoring Center is a professional unit for monitoring and measuring the quality of the working environment across all provinces in Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
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In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also assists clients in planning, handling, and tracking occupational environment issues. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meets all customer needs, and is committed to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investment in technology, engineering, and human resources, Nam Viet’s monitoring center has become one of the reputable units in the field of occupational environment monitoring in Ho Chi Minh City with the following objectives:
- We always value our brand reputation and the quality of our products and services.
- We provide our customers with the best and most suitable options possible.
- With a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.

- With the Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service from experts in the monitoring field. You will also get the best cost incentives.
8. Quotation for Occupational Environment Monitoring
To help businesses carry out occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our customers a quality and reasonably priced quotation table for occupational environment monitoring services.
- Our quotation table provides detailed information about the prices of the monitoring services we offer. This includes costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting of results. Customers can be completely assured of the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring result reports we provide.
- We are committed to always offering the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market, and we are also always ready to provide advice and answer any questions about our monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s quotation table, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.

