TNT is poisonous, and skin contact can cause skin irritation, causing the skin to turn a bright yellow-orange color. During the First World War,
munition workers who handled the chemical found that their skin turned bright yellow, which resulted in their acquiring the nickname "canary girls" or
simply "canaries." People exposed to TNT over a prolonged period tend to experience anemia and abnormal liver functions. Blood and liver effects,
spleen enlargement and other harmful effects on the immune system have also been found in animals that ingested or breathed trinitrotoluene. There is
evidence that TNT adversely affects male fertility.[22] TNT is listed as a possible human carcinogen, with carcinogenic effects demonstrated in animal
experiments (rat), although effects upon humans so far amount to none [according to IRIS of March 15, 2000]. [23] Consumption of TNT produces red
urine through the presence of breakdown products and not blood as sometimes believed.[24] Some military testing grounds are contaminated with TNT.
Wastewater from munitions programs including contamination of surface and subsurface waters may be colored pink because of the presence of TNT. Such
contamination, called "pink water", may be difficult and expensive to remedy. |
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