A Summary of NASA and USAF Hypergolic Propellant Related Spills and Fires

Nufer, Brian M.

doi:10.2514/6.2010-1994

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…Hydrazines have been used in hypergolic fuels to power spacecraft for over 50 years (82). In the Titan II Nuclear Missile program, the toxic breakdown products of hydrazine and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) (including N -nitrosodimethylamine and formaldehyde) persisted for 6 weeks or longer in the missile silos after spills or leaks (Table 1) (83, 84). Ground fueling of spacecraft with hydrazine mixtures requires a crew of five using protective gear, supported by 20 specialists (84).…”

Section: Western Pacific Als/pdcmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hypothesis: Etiologic and Molecular Mechanistic Leads for Sporadic Neurodegenerative Diseases Based on Experience With Western Pacific ALS/PDC

Spencer

2019

Front. Neurol.

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Seventy years of research on Western Pacific amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinsonism-dementia Complex (ALS/PDC) have provided invaluable data on the etiology, molecular pathogenesis and latency of this disappearing, largely environmental neurodegenerative disease. ALS/PDC is linked to genotoxic chemicals (notably methylazoxymethanol, MAM) derived from seed of the cycad plant ( Cycas spp.) that were used as a traditional food and/or medicine in all three disease-affected Western Pacific populations. MAM, nitrosamines and hydrazines generate methyl free radicals that damage DNA (in the form of O 6 -methylguanine lesions) that can induce mutations in cycling cells and degenerative changes in post-mitotic cells, notably neurons. This paper explores exposures to naturally occurring and manmade sources of nitrosamines and hydrazines in association with sporadic forms of ALS (with or without frontotemporal degeneration), progressive supranuclear palsy, and Alzheimer disease. Research approaches are suggested to examine whether these associations might have etiological significance. Lay Summary Unknown environmental exposures are thought to be risk factors for non-inherited forms of certain progressive brain diseases, such as sporadic forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS), progressive supranuclear palsy (sPSP), and Alzheimer's disease (sAD). Related progressive and fatal brain disorders coalesce in a single neurodegenerative disease of largely environmental origin (ALS-Parkinsonism-dementia Complex) that has affected three genetically distinct populations residing in islands of the Western Pacific region. Prolonged study of this prototypical neurodegenerative disease has provided invaluable information on the probable environmental cause (specific chemical genotoxins) and molecular mechanisms (unrepaired nerve cell DNA-damage) by which brain degeneration begins, evolves and, years or decades later, clinical signs appear, and progress. This information is used as a foundation to explore whether chemically related genotoxins (nitrosamines, hydrazines) are possible risk factors for sALS, sPSP, and sAD. Methods to test this hypothesis in the field and laboratory are proposed.

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Section: Western Pacific Als/pdcmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hypothesis: Etiologic and Molecular Mechanistic Leads for Sporadic Neurodegenerative Diseases Based on Experience With Western Pacific ALS/PDC

Spencer

2019

Front. Neurol.

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“…Commonly used hypergolic fuels include hydrazine (HZ) and its derivatives such as monomethylhydrazine (MMH), unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH), and aerozine 50 (A-50), which is a mixture of HZ and UDMH. Hydrazine (N 2 H 4 ) and monomethylhydrazine [N 2 H 3 (CH 3 )] have been extensively used as propellants in rockets and spacecraft (Nufer and Brian, 2009;Oropeza, 2011). They are used in the aerospace industry because they are storable and stable, can withstand the extremes of hot and cold present in the vacuum of space, and are relatively energy-dense (Nufer and Brian, 2009;Oropeza, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxicity Studies of AKGA/Hydrazines Degradation By-Products and Their Compatibility with Sewage Treatment Plant Operation

Camilo

RandallAndrew

DavisChuck

et al. 2015

Environmental Engineering Science

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A new method to treat hydrazine and monomethylhydrazine (MMH) using a-ketoglutaric acid (AKGA) was proposed. From the reaction of AKGA with hydrazine or MMH, two stable products are formed, 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-oxo-3-pyridazinecarboxylic acid (PCA) and 1-methyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-oxo-3-pyridazinecarboxylic acid (mPCA), respectively. With a focus toward use at an industrial facility, tests were undertaken to determine whether waste streams produced from this reaction can be metered into a municipal wastewater facility for final disposal. PCA and mPCA were analyzed for acute toxicity using crustaceans (Ceriodaphnia dubia) and fish (Pimephales promelas) and their effect on the wastewater treatment efficiency and viability using activated sludge (AS) microbes, and their biodegradability by AS organisms. Acute toxicity on crustaceans and fish was investigated according to the methods for acute toxicity by USEPA Method EPA-821-R-02-012. The effect of mPCA and PCA in the treatment efficiency and viability were estimated from respiration inhibition tests (USEPA, 2012) and heterotrophic plate counts. Last, the biodegradability of PCA and mPCA was assessed using the Closed Bottle Method. The results of this study showed that mPCA is significantly more toxic to C. dubia and P. promelas than PCA at the high concentrations ranges used in this study (0.5-1.5 g/L). On the other hand, PCA and mPCA did not show a significant inhibition of carbonaceous respiration of AS microbes at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 g/L, although both exhibited some inhibitory effects on nitrification. Under the conditions of this study, PCA was biodegradable by AS while mPCA was not.

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“…Nevertheless, any detailed information or reports related to accidents with hypergolic liquids from some of these countries is, realistically, not available in open literature sources. Typical incidents and accidents involving the use of traditional hypergolic propellants (fuels and oxidisers) are mainly connected to leakages and spills during storage (can cause fires or poisonings) and transportation or more commonly during testing campaigns (transfer operations) [22]. This is mostly due to the fact that typical hypergolic propellants (especially oxidisers) are very volatile and corrosive fluids.…”

Section: Key Findings From the Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The typical and most frequent risks are spills and leakages. According to NASA [22], such incidents are due to human error and through the use of incompatible materials for storage of hydrazine and its derivatives and dinitrogen tetroxide. It was observed that leakages have occurred due to long term material corrosion at changing temperature conditions, often accelerating this process.…”

Section: Main Hazards and Risksmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hydrazine and its derivatives are classified as possible carcinogens [11]. Additionally, these are very flammable liquids -hydrazine may even ignite spontaneously when spread on a large surface or when in air and in contact with porous materials such as rust, wood or soil [22]. It will explode when in contact with concentrated hydrogen peroxide or nitric acid.…”

Section: Key Findings From the Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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