ATSDR - Toxic Substances - Dinitrophenols
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Dinitrophenols

CAS ID #: 51-28-5

Affected Organ Systems: Dermal (Skin), Hematological (Blood Forming)

Cancer Classification: None

Please contact NTP, IARC, or EPA’s IRIS Hotline with questions on cancer and cancer classification.

Chemical Classification: Phenols/phenoxy acids

Summary: Dinitrophenols are a class of manufactured chemicals that do not occur naturally in the environment. There are six different dinitrophenols. The most commercially important dinitrophenol, 2,4-di-nitrophenol (DNP), is a yellow solid with no smell. It is used in making dyes, wood preservatives, explosives, insect control substances, and other chemicals, and as a photographic developer. It was used in diet pills in the 1930s but was banned for this use in 1938. It may be sold under several trade names, including Caswell No. 392, Sulfo Black B, and Nitro Kleenup. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the Public Health Service, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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    Summary about a hazardous substance taken from Chapter One of its respective ATSDR Toxicological Profile.

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  • Toxicological Profile

    Succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for a hazardous substance.

  • Addendum to the Profile (PDF, 176KB*)

    Addendum to the Toxicological Profile for Dinitrophenols (March 2011)

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