Abstract
Hydrazine (N2H4) is a clear, inorganic colourless liquid. It is known to be a skin sensitizer, a corrosive agent and it causes dermatitis on contact. Hydrazine is employed in chemical plants, used as a corrosion inhibitor for feed waters and may be added to rocket fuels. The authors report the case of a 68-year-old man with multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) covering his arms and face. The patient worked in a steam power plant with extensive exposure to hydrazine for a period of over 10 years. The present case report strongly suggests that there may be a correlation between the long-term exposure to hydrazine and an increased risk for multiple BCCs.
References
1.
ICPS 1991: international programme on chemical safety. Health and safety guide No 56. Hydrazine health and safety guide. http://www.inchem.org/documents/hsg/hsg/hsg056.htm.
2.
International Agency for Research on Cancer: IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. Lyon, IARC, 1987, vol 71, suppl 7, pp 991–1013. http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol71/mono71-43.pdf.
3.
International Agency for Research on Cancer: Re-evaluation of some organic chemicals, hydrazine, and hydrogen peroxide. IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risk of chemicals to humans. Lyon, IARC, 1999, vol 71. http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol71/mono71.pdf.
4.
Schmidt EW: Hydrazine and Its Derivates: Preparation, Properties and Applications. New York, Wiley & Sons, 1984.
5.
Hazardous substances data base. National Library of Medicine. 2000. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?HSDB.
6.
Helmers S, Ruland RT, Jacob LN: Epitheloid sarcoma of the thumb associated with hydrazine fuel exposure: a case report. Military Med 2004;169:41–44.
7.
The Merck Index, ed. 8. Rahway, Merck & Co, 1968.
8.
Raphaelian LA: Hydrazine; in Kirk RE, Othmer DF (eds): Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, ed 2. New York, Wiley & Sons, 1966, vol 11, pp 164–196.
9.
Liu YY, Schmeltz I, Hoffmann D: Chemical studies on tobacco smoke: quantitative analysis of hydrazine in tobacco and cigarette smoke. Anal Chem 1974;46:885–889.
10.
Evans DM: Two cases of hydrazine hydrate dermatitis without systemic intoxication. Br J Ind Med 1959;16:126–127.
11.
Keilig W, Speer U: Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from hydrazine. Derm Beruf Umwelt 1983;31:25–27.
12.
Van Ketel WG: Contact dermatitis from a hydrazine derivative in a stain remover: cross-sensitization to apresoline and isoniazid. Acta Derm Venereol (Stockh) 1964;44:49–53.
13.
Wrangsjo K, Martensson A: Hydrazine contact dermatitis from gold plating. Contact Dermatitis 1986;15:244–245.
14.
Dilman VM, Anisimov VN: Potention of antitumor effect of cyclophosphamide and hydrazine sulfate by treatment with the antidiabetic agent, 1-phenyletyhlbiguanide (phenformin). Cancer Lett 1979;7:357–361.
15.
Gold J: Enhancement by hydrazine sulfate of antitumor effectiveness of cytoxan, mitomycin C, methotrexate and bleomycin, in walker 256 carcinosarcoma in rats. Oncology 1975;31:44–53.
16.
Rogers AM, Back KC: Comparative mutagenicity of hydrazine and 3 methylated derivatives in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells. Mutat Res 1981;89:321–328.
17.
Bhide SV, D’Souza RA, Sawia MM, Ranadive KJ: Lung tumour incidence in mice treated with hydrazine sulfate. Int J Cancer 1976;18:530–535.
18.
Severi L, Biancifiori C: Hepatic carcinogenesis in CBA/Cb/Se mice and CB/Se rats by isonicotinic acid hydrazide and hydrazine sulfate. J Natl Cancer Inst 1968;41:331–349.
19.
Toth B: Lung tumor induction and inhibition of breast adenocarcinomas by hydrazine sulfate in mice. J Natl Cancer Inst 1969;42:469–475.
20.
Biancifiori C, Gironelli-Santilli FE, Milia U, Severi L: Pulmonary tumours in rats induced by oral hydrazine sulphate. Nature 1966;212:414–415.
21.
Shimizu H, Toth B: Effect of lifetime administration of 2-hydroxyethylhydrazine on tumorigenesis in hamsters and mice. J Natl Cancer Inst 1974;52:903–906.
22.
Latendresse JR, Marit GB, Vernot EH, Haun CC, Flemming CD: Oncogenic potential of inhaled hydrazine in the nose of rats and hamsters after 1 or 10 1-hr exposures. Fundam Appl Toxicol 1995;27:33–48.
23.
Morgenstern H, Ritz B: Effects of radiation and chemical exposures on cancer mortality among Rocketdyne workers: a review of three cohort studies. Occup Med 2001;16:219–237.
24.
Ritz B, Morgenstern H, Froines J, Moncau J: Chemical exposures of rocket engine test-stand personnel and cancer mortality in a cohort of aerospace workers. J Occup Environ Med 1999;41:903–910.
25.
Ritz B, Zhao Y, Krishnadasan A, Kennedy N, Morgenstern H: Estimated effects of hydrazine exposure on cancer incidence and mortality in aerospace workers. Epidemiology 2006;17:154–161.
26.
Back KC, Carter VL Jr, Thomas AA: Occupational hazards of missile operations with special regards to the hydrazine propellants. Aviat Space Environ Med 1978;49:591–598.
27.
Keller WC: Toxicity assessment of hydrazine fuels. Aviat Space Environ Med 1988;59: A100–A106.
28.
Sotaniemi E, Hirvonen J, Isomaki H, Takkunen J, Kaila J: Hydrazine toxicity in the human: report of a fatal case. Ann Clin Res 1971;3:30–33.
29.
Cammarano G, Crosignani P, Berrino F, Berra G: Cancer mortality among workers in a thermoelectric power plant. Scand J Work Environ Health 1984;10:259–261.
30.
Dube M, Madarnas P, Rola-Pleszczynski M, Nigam VN: An animal model of Kaposi’s sarcoma. I. Immune status of CD1 mice undergoing dimethyl hydrazine treatment to induce angiosarcomas and other malignancies. Anticancer Res 1992;12:105–112.
31.
Madarnas P, Dube M, Rola-Pleszczynski M, Nigam VN: An animal model of Kaposi’s sarcoma. II. Pathogenesis of dimethyl hydrazine induced angiosarcoma and colorectal cancer in three mouse strains. Anticancer Res 1992;12:113–117.
32.
Albert DM, Puliafito CA: Chorioidal melanoma: possible exposure to industrial toxins. New Engl J Med 1977;296:634–635.
33.
Choudhary G, Hansen H: Human health perspective on environmental exposure to hydrazines: a review. Chemosphere 1998;37:801–843.
34.
Bajdik CD, Gallagher RP, Astrakianakis G, Hill GB, Fincham S, McLean DI: Non-solar ultraviolet radiation and the risk of basal and squamous cell skin cancer. Br J Cancer 1996;73:1612–1614.
35.
Dixon AJ, Dixon BF: Ultraviolet radiation from welding and possible risk of skin and ocular malignancy. Med J Aust 2004;181:155–157.
36.
Currie CLA, Monk BE: Welding and non-melanoma skin cancer. Clin Exp Dermatol 2000;25:28–29.
37.
Emmett EA, Buncher CR, Suskind RB, Rowe KW Jr: Skin and eye diseases among arc welders and those exposed to welding operations. J Occup Med 1981;23:85–90.
© 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel
2010
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.