Hydrazine (N2H4)

Best known for its use as rocket jet fuel, hydrazine (N2H4) – also known as diazane – is also used in the petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries as a synthesis intermediate and in the rubber industry as a blowing agent to produce polymer foam. Thanks to its characteristics – mainly its liquid state at ambient temperature – this gas is used to produce fuel cells.

Hydrazine effects on health

Colorless and featuring an ammonia smell at low concentration levels, hydrazine (N2H4) is very soluble into water or alcohols, which may lead to explosive vapors production. Even if it is flammable either liquid or gaseous (H226), this gas is very toxic if inhaled, swallowed or in contact with skin (H331/301/311) and classified as 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) by the IARC*. It can cause severe skin burns and eye damage as well (H314).