2,4-Dinitrophenol
Quick Reference
What is 2,4-Dinitrophenol?
Historically was used to synthesize explosives, as an herbicide, and as a wood preservative before being briefly used as a weight loss drug in the early 1900s. Pharmaceutical use was banned in the 1930s due to toxicity, although it can still be acquired illicitly today for weight loss and self-harm. Use as an herbicide and wood preservative is banned in Canada. Its primary modern use is as a reagent and pH indicator in the lab, and it is typically transported in small 25g and 300g containers, and occasionally in 1 Kg and 5 Kg containers.
Crew Safety
- Staging/Perimeter
- Usually, no staging will be required unless a large transport vehicle is involved in a crash. If so a 100m perimeter should be used, if there’s a fire, then an 800 m perimeter should be established.
- Additional Resources
- Consider consultation with poison control.
- PPE requirements
- No special PPE requirements, standard contact precautions are sufficient.
- Safely initiating patient contact
- No special considerations.
Effect on the Patient
At high concentrations, contact may irritate the skin and mucous membranes, sometimes causing a yellow discoloration of the skin. Systemic affects are primarily a result of an increased basal metabolic rate leading to hyperthermia. May observe diaphoresis, tachycardia, tachypnea. Eventually metabolic acidosis develops. As symptoms progress seizures and arrhythmias may occur.
Patient Decontamination
Wash exposed skin with soap and water. If eye irritation is present flush for 15 minutes. Some sources recommend activated charcoal if ingested.
Patient Treatment
- Monitor bG closely. If LOC is altered and bG is low-normal, treat as if hypoglycemic.
- If hyperthermic cool aggressively. Do not administer Acetaminophen or ASA.
- Seizures can be treated with Midazolam. Avoid intubation as a reduced respiratory rate following induction can rapidly result in death.
Safe Transfer of Care
No secondary contamination concerns.
Paramedic and Equipment Decontamination
No special considerations.
Quick Access Resources
DPIC Monograph
Paramedic Specialist Safety Data Sheet
No SDS available.
Emergency Response Guidebook
Revision History
| Version | Date | Changes | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 2026-05-01 | Initial version | Clinical Hub |