Common menu bar links

Institutional links

CAS Registry Number 302-01-2

Hydrazine is an industrial chemical and also occurs naturally in algae and tobacco plants.
It is also found in water in a form known as hydrazine hydrate. For purposes of this screening assessment, hydrazine hydrate was not considered to be different from hydrazine.

Hydrazine is mainly used as a corrosion inhibitor in boiler water used at power generating plants.
Hydrazine may also be found as an unintended residual (leftover from the manufacturing process) in particular polymers, which may in turn be used in cosmetics, personal care products, natural health products, pharmaceuticals, food packaging materials, food additives and pesticides.
Hydrazine is not manufactured in Canada above the reporting threshold, but it is imported into Canada.

Prior to the assessment, hydrazine was identified as a potential concern to human health based on its classification by international organizations as a substance that was found to cause cancer in laboratory animals, and based on a moderate potential for exposure (not including workplace exposures) to the general population of Canada.
Hydrazine was not considered to be a high priority for assessment of potential risks to the environment; however, potential environmental effects were also evaluated in this screening assessment.

Exposure of the general population in Canada to hydrazine is expected to be low since it is primarily used in industrial settings.
Canadians may also be exposed from inhalation of tobacco smoke.

Hydrazine may be released mainly in water with smaller proportions being released to air and soils. Releases of hydrazine to the environment are primarily associated with the operation of nuclear and fossil fuelled power plants.

The Government of Canada has conducted a science-based evaluation of hydrazine, called a screening assessment.
Screening assessments address potential for harm to the general population (not including workplace exposures) and the environment.
The Government of Canada has concluded that hydrazine may be considered to be harmful to human health.
Hydrazine is not expected to remain in the environment for a long time or to accumulate in organisms. However, the quantities of hydrazine that may be released to the environment are above levels expected to cause harm to organisms; therefore, the Government of Canada has also concluded that hydrazine is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or under conditions that constitute a danger to the environment.

Exposure of the general population of Canada is currently considered to be low and the Government of Canada is taking action so that exposure remains low.
The application of the Significant New Activity (SNAc) provisions to this substance will be recommended. This would require that any proposed new manufacture, use or import be subject to further assessment, and would determine if the new activity requires further risk management consideration.
The final screening assessment report and risk management approach document were published on January 15, 2011. The risk management approach document will be followed by a 60-day public comment period, ending March 16, 2011.

The health risks associated with a chemical depend on the hazard (its potential to cause health effects) and the dose (the amount of chemical to which you are exposed).
Hydrazine is not intentionally added to products, but may be present as a by-product or as a residual of the manufacturing process. The general population of Canada is only exposed to trace amounts through a variety of sources.
Tobacco smoke is also a source of hydrazine. Canadians are reminded that they should not smoke. For more information about smoking and how to quit, please visit the Health Concerns - Tobacco section of Health Canada's Web site or speak with a doctor.
Canadians who handle hydrazine in the workplace should consult with their occupational health and safety representative about safe handling practices, applicable laws and requirements under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).