Colorless, fuming liquid, white crystals, fishy, ammoniacal odor, used for preferential etching. High via oral, intravenously and dermal routes. The high vapor pressure can present serious health hazards by the inhalatory absorption route moderate to high concentration vapors are highly irritating to the eyes, nose and respiratory system.
Eye splashes can cause permanent corneal lesions.
By any route of absorption, moderate to strong central nervous system poisons can be caused, i.e. tremors, increased central nervous system excitability and at sufficient doses convulsions. This can progress to depression, respiratory arrest and death. Other systemic effects are in the hematopoietic system and the liver and kidney. It is a powerful explosive often used in rocket fuels. Use in fume hood only.