TRIS NITRO®

ANGUS Chemical Company
Technical Bulletin
TRIS NITRO ®
TRIS(HYDROXYMETHYL)NITROMETHANE*
USE IN CHEMICAL TOILET APPLICATIONS
TRIS NITRO is an effective deodorizer for
chemical toilet formulations with a number of
distinct advantages:
Long lasting odor control
Seven day protection in hot, humid conditions
Ease of handling
Ease of formulation
Low toxicity
Biodegradable
Regulatory acceptance
Product Advantages
Long Lasting Odor Control
The primary function of chemical toilet deodorizers is odor
control. When properly formulated, TRIS NITRO will
provide excellent long-term odor control as compared with
other deodorizer ingredients.
Seven Day Protection in Hot, Humid Conditions
Truly effective chemical toilet deodorizers will control odor
for seven days in hot, humid weather. TRIS NITRO’s slow
release mechanism provides increased deodorizer
strength as a function of temperature and tank load.
Therefore, TRIS NITRO’s deodorizing action will be
available when needed most.
*Indexed by Chemical Abstracts as
2-hydroxymethyl-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol,
CAS Registry No. 126-11-4.
A subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company
ANGUS Chemical Company
1500 E. Lake Cook Road
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
TB 83
Ease of Handling
TRIS NITRO is not an irritant and does not present a
danger if skin contact occurs. Consequently, there is a
reduced level of concern for rental operators regarding
user safety. Also, TRIS NITRO is not a RCRA hazardous
waste; there are no reporting requirements for spills which
eliminates the concern of rental operators about spills in
the field.
Ease of Formulation
TRIS NITRO is water soluble and compatible with most
chemical toilet deodorizer additives.
Low Toxicity
The Oral LD50 for TRIS NITRO solid in rats is 1875 mg/kg.
Under the requirements of the Federal Hazardous
Substances Act, formulations with an oral LD50 of greater
than 5000 mg/kg may be classifiable as nontoxic. The
LD50 of a 25% solution of TRIS NITRO is on the order of
7500 mg/kg. However, because of the possibility of
synergistic effects from other additives, the final
formulation must be tested for toxicity to demonstrate its
safety.
Biodegradable
TRIS NITRO rapidly degrades in the environment which is
important for disposal purposes.
Regulatory Acceptance
There is no nationally recognized standard regarding the
biodegradability of chemical toilet deodorizers. However,
TRIS NITRO has been approved for use in chemical
toilets in the State of California.
Phone: 847-215-8600
Toll Free: 800-447-4369
Fax: 847-215-8626

TRIS NITRO is available as a 50% aqueous solution of
tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane, and a 95% white
crystalline solid which is quite stable when dry.
TRIS NITRO is a highly effective deodorant for use in
chemical toilet formulations. It provides the deodorant
properties of formaldehyde without the hazardous
exposure associated with formaldehyde. TRIS NITRO is
quite stable in neutral or acidic solutions. However, in
slightly alkaline solutions, TRIS NITRO slowly
decomposes to release formaldehyde. This release
increases as pH or temperature increases. By controlling
pH and/or temperature, the working life of TRIS NITRO
can be varied from a few minutes to several months
according to conditions of use (see Figure 1). It is
because of this controlled release that TRIS NITRO is
such an effective deodorant; it performs on demand when
tank load or temperature increase and deodorizing
performance is needed most. Under ordinary use
conditions, the odor of formaldehyde should not be
detectable.
Formulating Considerations
The action of TRIS NITRO is based primarily on
formaldehyde release, controlled by alkalinity in aqueous
solution. TRIS NITRO is soluble in water, alcohols and
glycols and can be readily incorporated into water-based
dilutable concentrates. However, the pH of these
concentrates should not be higher than 7.0 to ensure
stability of the TRIS NITRO during storage and shipping
prior to on-site dilution. If such a concentrate is not
buffered (contains no phosphates or other polyvalent
anions), its dilutions will be readily alkalinized during use,
thus permitting controlled release of the active
deodorizing agent. As an alternative, a small amount of
caustic soda or other alkaline material can be added to
the freshly-diluted solution to assure immediate initiation
of controlled formaldehyde release.
Perfumes and dyes chosen for TRIS NITRO-containing
concentrates should be stable to formaldehyde and to pH
variations; TRIS NITRO is non-foaming and effective when
used with all classes of surfactants. It can also be used in
combination with other commonly-used active ingredients
of toilet deodorizing solutions, if desired.
Environmental Considerations
When properly used and disposed of, TRIS NITRO will
have no measurable effect on the environment. As a
deodorizing agent for chemical toilets, TRIS NITRO
should never be released directly to the environment if
materials containing it are properly handled. For example,
some formulated products are harmful to fish and wildlife
if released directly to water courses even if they do not
contain TRIS NITRO. Such materials must always be
treated physically, chemical, and/or biologically in
industrial treatment systems to render them harmless
before disposal.
2
TRIS NITRO provides deodorizer protection under
alkaline conditions by decomposing to release
formaldehyde. TRIS NITRO in any alkaline fluid will, in
time, breakdown (see Figure 1). Even when a fluid has
been treated a number of times, TRIS NITRO will not
increase in concentration in the system. Used fluids, for
example, will have much lower TRIS NITRO
concentrations than when freshly prepared, and the
remaining TRIS NITRO will degrade. A study has shown
that low concentrations of TRIS NITRO are assimilated by
sludge obtained from a municipal sewage system.
When properly handled and disposed of, TRIS NITRO will
not be released directly to the environment. Nevertheless,
studies have been conducted to assess the possible
effects on wildlife which might result from improper
handling or accidental spills of the compound.
DAYS
DAYS
DAYS
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
6
5
4
3
2
1
Figure 1
Stability of TRIS Nitro in
Phosphate Buffer Solutions
Concentration = 1% Concentration of Buffer = 5%
pH 6.0
pH 4.0
pH 7.5
pH 4.0
pH 9.0
pH 6.0
Note: No decomposition at pH 4.0
pH 6.0
pH 7.5
Data at 25°C
Data at 40°C
Data at 60°C
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
pH 9.0
0% Decomposed
pH 7.5
pH 9.0

The 5-day dietary LC 50 in mallard ducks was found to be
in excess of 80,000 ppm of TRIS NITRO (expressed as
the 50% solution). The LC 0 was in excess of 40,000 ppm.
The symptoms of toxicity seen at doses of 20,000 ppm
or more appeared to be reversible when the birds were
fed an untreated diet for 16 days post-treatment. All birds
were normal when fed 2500, 5000, or 10,000 ppm
TRIS NITRO.
The 5-day dietary LC 50 in bobwhite quail was found to be
in excess of 5000 ppm of TRIS NITRO (expressed as the
50% solution). No symptoms suggestive of toxicity were
seen in birds fed 1250, 2500, or 5000 ppm TRIS NITRO.
The LC 50 of TRIS NITRO for rainbow trout was calculated
at 410 ppm. This implies that TRIS NITRO 50% is
practically nontoxic to trout.
Toxicity
Acute Oral Animal Studies
A seven-day study on TRIS NITRO crystals given by
gavage was conducted in mice with the following results:
LD0 LD50 LD100 1000 mg/kg
1900 + 350 mg/kg
3000 mg/kg
In a similar 14-day study of 50% aqueous TRIS NITRO in
rats, the LD 50 was determined to be 1875 mg/kg.
Intraperitoneal Study in Mice
In a seven-day study in mice TRIS NITRO crystals gave
the following results by the intraperitoneal route:
LD0 LD50 LD100 1000 mg/kg
1850 + 340 mg/kg
3000 mg/kg
Skin Irritation Studies
In another study, TRIS NITRO 50% aqueous, diluted with
distilled water to 1000 ppm, 3000 ppm and 10,000 ppm
active ingredient in water, was applied to the skin of six
rabbits. No skin irritation was observed for any of the
exposed animals after 24 hours exposure.
A series of 48-hour patch tests were conducted by an
independent dermatologist on 25 human volunteers using
TRIS NITRO at concentrations of 0.3% and 0.6% in some
typical cutting-oil emulsions. Another group was exposed
to the cutting oil alone without TRIS NITRO. The tests
were severe in that they were conducted with
concentrations of TRIS NITRO considerably higher than
any that have been found necessary to protect the
emulsions from bacterial contamination. Both the closed
and open methods of application were employed. The
closed method insures maximal contact of the preparation
with the skin and minimal loss by evaporation or wiping
on the subject’s clothing. There was absolutely no skin
irritation in either the open or closed tests on any of the
25 subjects.
In order to check on the sensitizing potential of aged
cutting-oil emulsions containing TRIS NITRO, a series
of human patch tests was conducted by another
independent organization. The subjects were
housewives, 30-65 years of age. The tests consisted of
three successive patch exposures of 24 hours duration
with 24 hours or more between exposures. The three
compositions employed consisted of (a) a typical cuttingoil
emulsion without TRIS NITRO, (b) the same emulsion
to which 0.5% TRIS NITRO had been added just before
use in the test, (c) the same emulsion to which 0.5%
TRIS NITRO had been added some time previously so
that aging effects would have had ample opportunity to
develop. The results of this test showed that addition of
0.5% TRIS NITRO (five to ten times as much as normally
used) caused no increase in irritating effect whether it
was added just before use or some time previously. The
dermatologist concluded that normal users of the
emulsions would not be expected to experience any
primary irritation under the usual conditions of use.
These findings are ample evidence that TRIS NITRO is
not a primary irritant and that the sensitizing potential is
minimal. A small but significant proportion of workers
exposed to cutting oils in the metalworking industry
experience dermatitis from diverse causes. Some cutting
oils containing TRIS NITRO may be involved in a fraction
of these cases due to some chemical reaction which is
not understood, but which may occur over a long period
of time.
Eye Irritation Study
In an eye irritation study conducted on rabbits using the
technique of Drazie, 0.1 mL of 50% aqueous TRIS
NITRO was placed in one eye of each of six rabbits.
Only two of the rabbits showed mild redness of the
conjunctivae and only one animal had a score of two at
24 hours. The eyes of all rabbits were normal for the
remainder of the observation period.
Sub-acute Dermal Study
Groups of 30 rats (15 males and 15 females per group)
were exposed to 0, 250, 500, or 1000 mg/kg/day of TRIS
NITRO (100%) for five days per week for thirteen weeks.
Treatment produced yellow discoloration at the
application site, however, no dermal reactions were
apparent even under microscopic examination. No
exposed animals died and no adverse effects were
noted for any of the dosed rats in terms of clinical
observations, body weights, body weight gains, food
consumption, hematology or serum chemistry values,
urinalysis, opthalmologic findings, absolute and relative
organ weight, or gross necropsy findings.
3

Teratology
Three groups of 25 pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were
dosed by gavage daily with 0, 50, 375, or 750 mg/kg/day
of TRIS NITRO on gestation days 6 through 15. The
females were observed at least twice daily and weighed at
appropriate intervals. On gestation day 20, the animals
were sacrificed, and the fetuses were weighed, sexed,
examined for external, skeletal and soft tissue anomalies,
and developmental variations.
Mortality and clinical signs of toxicity were observed at a
dose level of 750 mg/kg/day.
Body weight gain was severely decreased throughout the
entire dosing period in the high-dose group.
A slight decrease in the mean fetal body weight was
apparent in litters from the high dose group. The “noneffect”
level for maternal toxicity, fetotoxicity, and
teratogenicity was considered to be 375 mg/kg/day of
TRIS NITRO.
Mutagenicty
TRIS NITRO was judged to be nonmutagenic in an Ames
Bacterial/Microsomal Assay. The study utilized Salmonella
typhimurium strains TA 98, TA 100, TA 1535, TA 1537 and
TA 1538. The study was done at dosages of 0.1 to 1.0
mg/plate with and without S9 liver microsomal fraction.
Similar results were obtained in a chromosome aberration
study in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Doses of
0.25 to 2.5 mg/mL were utilized. No mutagenic effect for
TRIS NITRO was noted either with or without S9 liver
microsomal fraction.
Doses of 0.313 to 2.5 mg/mL were employed in the
unscheduled DNA synthesis assay in rat liver cell culture.
Analysis of prepared slides by autoradiographic technique
demonstrated grain counts similar to the untreated control
for all doses. TRIS NITRO was judged to be
nonmutagenic in this assay.
Biodegradable
TRIS NITRO rapidly degrades in the environment which is
important for disposal purposes.
There is no nationally recognized standard regarding the
biodegradability of chemical toilet deodorizers. However,
TRIS NITRO has been approved for use in chemical
toilets in the State of California.
The information and data contained herein are believed to be correct. However, we do not warrant
either expressly or by implication the accuracy thereof. In presenting uses for this product, no
attempt has been made to investigate or discuss any patent situations which may be involved.
A subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company
TRIS NITRO is a Registered Trademark
of ANGUS Chemical Company.
ANGUS Chemical Company manufactures
and markets a variety of products most of
which are derived from chemicals called
nitroparaffins. Using a unique chemical
process, these short-chain molecules can be
further processed and refined into nitroparaffin
derivatives.These and other ANGUS
products offer customers worldwide a multitude
of performance properties
in a broad range of applications
including paints, coatings and inks,
biotechnology, pharmaceutical and
agricultural intermediates, personal care
products, metalworking fluids, water treatment
and fuel systems.
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