How can tetryl affect my health?
Workers at military facilities during World Wars I and II who breathed tetryl-laden dust complained of coughs, fatigue, headaches, eye irritation, lack of appetite, nosebleeds, nausea, and vomiting. Workers who routinely handled tetryl developed a distinct yellow staining of the hands, neck, and hair. Many workers who had skin contact with tetryl developed skin rashes. Some also developed allergies with asthma-like reactions (severe coughing and wheezing) after breathing tetryl. Rabbits fed high doses of tetryl every day for 6–9 months developed effects on the kidneys and liver. Decreased blood-clotting capability and changes in the spleen were also noted. We do not know if these effects would occur in humans exposed to similar doses of tetryl. We do not know if tetryl causes birth defects, or if it affects reproduction in humans or animals.
