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3106474 
Technical Report 
Chemical hazard information profile draft report: Hexamethylphosphoramide, CAS No. 680-31-9 
Smith, J 
1982 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
Washington, DC 
NIOSH/00132991 
U 
English 
The preliminary Environmental Protection Agency chemical hazard information profile on hexamethylphosphoramide (680319) (HMPA) is presented. Physical and chemical properties of HMPA are summarized. Worker exposures to HMPA are discussed. HMPA is currently not being used commercially. An estimated 5,000 occupational exposures have occurred since 1976, 90 percent of these being in research laboratories. Environmental exposures are discussed. Human health effects are reviewed. HMPA shows moderate toxicity to laboratory animals when given by dermal, intraperitoneal, intravenous, or oral routes. Subchronic and chronic toxicity studies have shown that HMPA is carcinogenic to rats. In-vitro tests of transformation induction, however, have given conflicting results. It has been suggested that the formation of formaldehyde during the metabolism of HMPA may be responsible for the carcinogenic action of HMPA. Tests of HMPA mutagenicity have given conflicting results; however, they show that HMPA is potentially mutagenic. HMPA has not shown any teratogenic activity; however, HMPA has caused sterility in rats and mice. The environmental effects of HMPA are discussed. HMPA is toxic to aquatic and terrestrial animals at high doses. HMPA is a known chemosterilant to insects. Preliminary risk assessments are presented. HMPA has a potential for causing adverse health effects in humans, especially in individuals chronically exposed. Commercial quantities of HMPA are probably no longer being produced and exposure is not extensive. For further risk assessment, this lack of commercial production should be verified.