N-Methylpyrrolidone NMP

N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) is a polar aprotic transfer solvent. It has low toxicity, high boiling point and outstanding solubility. Strong selectivity and good stability. Widely used in aromatics extraction, acetylene, olefin, diolefin purification, polyvinylide solvent, lithium ion battery electrode auxiliary material, syngas desulfurization, lubricating oil refining, lubricating oil antifreeze agent, olefin extraction agent, solvent for polymerization of insoluble engineering plastics, agricultural herbicides, insulation materials, integrated circuit production, Semiconductor industry precision instruments, circuit board cleaning,PVC exhaust recycling, cleaning agents, dye additives, dispersants and so on. It is also used as a solvent and polymerization medium for polymers, such as engineering plastics and aramid fibers. In addition, it can also be used in pesticides, medicines and cleaning agents.

NMP is widely used as an extraction agent in the extraction of aromatics, acetylene concentration, butadiene separation and desulfurization of syngas, and is also a solvent in the production of pesticides, engineering plastics, coatings, synthetic fibers, integrated circuits, etc., and can also be used as industrial detergents, dispersants, dyeing agents, lubricating oil antifreeze agents, etc. It is an excellent solvent, widely used as an extraction agent for aromatics extraction, lubricating oil refining, acetylene concentration, syngas desulfurization, etc., and also used in industrial cleaning.

Classical feature

NMP is a five-membered heterocyclic compound containing nitrogen, which has a wide range of applications because of its excellent properties.

Large polarity, can be completely miscible in most organic solvents (alcohols, ethers, ketones, aromatics, chlorinated hydrocarbons, etc.), the solubility of organic matter, inorganic matter.

It can be miscible with water in any proportion. Higher flash point than other similar solvents. High boiling point, low freezing point, easy to use. Good chemical and thermal stability, non-corrosive.

N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP) harms the developing fetus when tested in pregnant animals.It is toxic to the reproductive system of male and female test animals. The reproductive effects of NMP have not been studied in humans. Based on the animal tests, you should treat NMP as a potential human reproductive hazard. Overexposure to NMP irritates the eyes,skin, nose, and throat. It can also affect the central nervous system or brain causing symptoms of drunkenness similar to the effects of drinking alcohol. NMP is easily absorbed through the skin. It is widely used to replace methylene chloride and other chlorinated solvents that harm the environment and health. HESIS revised this Health Hazard Advisory to inform workers and employers that Cal/OSHA has adopted a Permissible Exposure Limit for this substance.

Products and processes that use NMP
NMP is a solvent (a liquid that dissolves solids).
It is used for many different purposes.
NMP is used in:
Painting (solvent), stripping or removing paint
Removing graffiti
Semiconductor manufacturing
Silk-screen printing
Construction adhesives and solvents
Laboratory reagents
Pharmaceutical solvents
Polymer materials manufacturing
Petrochemical solvents for extractions
Insecticide, fungicide, and herbicide products

How NMP enters your body
NMP enters your body when it touches your skin, and when you breathe its vapors or droplets of spray
in the air.
Your risk of health effects depends on the amount of NMP that enters your body. That depends mainly
on the amount (the concentration) of NMP you breathe, how much touches your skin, and how long you are exposed to NMP.
HOw NMp CAN AFFECT YOUR HEALTH

The toxic effects of NMP in humans have not been well studied. Most of the information comes from animal testing, not from human use of NMP. Animal tests are often used to determine effects of chemicals on human health.
REpRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
NMP caused delayed growth in the offspring of animals exposed during pregnancy in several studies.
NMP also reduced fertility in male rats and increased the time for female rats to become pregnant.
The effects of NMP on reproduction have not been studied in humans. In one report, a worker’s exposure to NMP during the first trimester of pregnancy was linked to abnormal growth of the fetus (intrauterine growth retardation) and stillbirth.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NMP, like other organic solvents, can affect your brain. Breathing excessive amounts for a short period of time causes headache, nausea, dizziness, clumsiness, drowsiness, and other effects like those of being drunk. Drinking alcohol within a few hours of exposure increases these effects and makes them last longer, because the effects of alcohol and solvents add together. The symptoms of shortterm exposure usually clear up within hours after exposure stops.
Repeated, frequent overexposure to NMP and other solvents over months or years can have long-lasting
and possibly permanent effects on the nervous system. The symptoms of these long-term effects
include fatigue, sleeplessness, poor coordination, difficulty in concentrating, loss of short-term memory, and personality changes such as depression, anxiety, and irritability.
EYES, NOSE, THROAT, AND SkIN
NMP is irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat. It is quickly absorbed into your body through your skin.
NMP also dissolves the natural protective oils on your skin and can cause dermatitis (dry, rough, red, or cracked skin).
LIVER AND kIDNEYS
NMP is unlikely to cause liver or kidney damage if there is no noticeable effect on the nervous system.
However, like other solvents, long-term exposure to NMP and drinking alcohol can increase your risk of liver damage.
CANCER
NMP did not cause cancer when tested in animals. It also did not cause genetic mutations in several tests.

HOw TO REDUCE YOUR ExpOSURE
By law, employers must provide a safe and healthy workplace using ventilation and other controls, and work practices to minimize your exposure to harmful chemicals such as NMP.
Cal/OSHA and the Cal/OSHA Consultation Service can help you and your employer – see “Where to Get Help” on the last page. Here are some ways employers and employees can work together to reduce exposures.
Substitution. The best way to reduce exposure is to switch to products that do not contain NMP. Do not use products if you do not have safety data sheets (SDSs) and information on health hazards. Make sure you understand the health hazard information.
Switch to solvent-free products or use mechanical methods, such as wheat starch blasting, to remove paint and graffiti, when possible. If it is not possible to switch to solvent-free paint strippers, benzyl alcohol may be a safer
substitute. Unlike NMP, benzyl alcohol does not cause reproductive and developmental damage in test animals. It also does not pose risks of cancer like methylene chloride does. Benzyl alcohol is absorbed through the skin. It may also cause allergic dermatitis. Water-based cleaners often can be substituted for products containing NMP and other toxic solvents like 1-bromopropane, for cleaning in the electronics industry and other industries.
If you cannot switch to products that are free of NMP or other solvents, take other steps to limit exposure.

Using Less. Use as little as possible of solvent-containing products. Keep containers closed between uses.
Ventilation. Make sure there is good ventilation. “Local exhaust ventilation” is most effective. It captures NMP vapors at the source before workers breathe them. In laboratories, fume hoods should be used. General ventilation using a fan-powered or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is the next best
way to bring fresh air into the work area. Relying only on open doors and windows usually will not provide enough fresh air. Indoor fans that blow NMP-contaminated air around without removing it from the work area are not effective.
Respiratory protection. Cal/OSHA permits the use of respirators to control harmful exposures only if ventilation and other control methods are not effective or feasible. A halfface respirator with organic vapor cartridges can
reduce exposure. In spraying operations, this should be combined with a mist pre-filter. A dust mask does not remove NMP vapors from the air and will not protect workers. Employers must comply with the Cal/OSHA Respiratory Protection
Standard (Title 8, Section 5144). Requirements include making sure that respirators fit properly and workers are medically cleared to wear a respirator. See www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5144.html.
Skin protection. Wear chemical protective utility gloves such as butyl rubber or Silvershield® (laminated polyethylene/EVOH) when using products that contain NMP. NMP will go right through less durable gloves such as those made of natural rubber, nitrile, or polyethylene.
Replace gloves often. Use chemical protective clothing such as aprons, sleeves, boots, and head
and face protection if NMP can contact your skin at areas other than your hands. Clean the equipment thoroughly after each use. Cal/OSHA regulations require employers to supply gloves and any other necessary protective equipment.