Hydrazine: general information
Updated 10 March 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hydrazine-properties-and-incident-management/hydrazine-general-information
Overview
Hydrazine is a colourless, flammable liquid with a penetrating, pungent odour. It is naturally produced by some algae and is present in tobacco and tobacco smoke.
Uses of hydrazine
Hydrazine is used to produce agricultural chemicals and chemical blowing agents that are used to make plastics. It is also used as a rocket fuel and as a corrosion inhibitor.
How hydrazine gets into the environment
Hydrazine is released into the environment from its use as an aerospace fuel and from industries that produce and use it.
Exposure to hydrazine
The general population may be exposed to hydrazine via cigarette smoking or from the use of other tobacco products. Exposure is more likely to occur in an occupational setting where it is used or produced.
How exposure to hydrazine can affect your health
The presence of hydrazine in the environment does not always lead to exposure. In order for it to cause any adverse health effects you must come into physical contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing, eating, or drinking the substance or by skin contact. Following exposure to any chemical, the adverse health effects you may encounter depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.
Breathing in hydrazine vapours can cause irritation of the nose, throat and chest, cough, shortness of breath. Ingestion of hydrazine can cause a burning sensation in the mouth and throat and burns to the gastrointestinal tract. Skin contact with hydrazine vapour can cause irritation, burns and dermatitis.
Hydrazine can also be absorbed into the body by ingestion, inhalation or skin contact. This can result in effects such as headache, dizziness, stomach upset, low blood pressure, tiredness and liver and kidney damage. In severe cases fitting and coma can occur and can be prolonged for several days.
Contact with eyes can cause itching, burning and swelling of the eyes and blurred vision.
Temporary blindness can occur following exposure to very high concentrations of hydrazine.
Hydrazine and cancer
Hydrazine has been classified by the International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC) as possibly having the ability to cause cancer to humans.
Pregnancy and the unborn child
There is no evidence to suggest that exposure to hydrazine during pregnancy can cause damage to the unborn child at concentrations that do not affect the mother.
Children
Children would be expected to display similar symptoms to those seen in exposed adults.
What to do if you are exposed to hydrazine
It is very unlikely that the general population will be exposed to a level of hydrazine high enough to cause adverse health effects.
Additional sources of information
UKTIS. Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy
The information contained in this document from the UKHSA Radiation, Chemicals, Climate and Environmental Hazards Directorate is correct at the time of its publication.
Email chemcompendium@ukhsa.gov.uk if you have any questions about this guidance or enquiries@ukhsa.gov.uk if you have any other questions.
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