02/21/2008

Possible Health Effects
Associated with Hydrazine and Satellite Reentry

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating with federal partners to address potential health and safety threats associated with the reentry of an uncontrolled U.S. government satellite into the earth's atmosphere within the next few weeks. Because the satellite's fuel contains the toxic chemical hydrazine, it is possible that the reentry of the satellite could pose a public health threat if pieces of it fall into populated areas. The risk of health effects related to the satellite is considered to be low.

Hydrazine is a clear, colorless liquid with an ammonia-like odor. Hydrazine is highly reactive and easily catches fire. It can easily evaporate to the air and can dissolve in water. In soil, hydrazine may stick to particles. In each of these forms hydrazine breaks down quickly into less harmful compounds.

People can be exposed to hydrazine by breathing contaminated air, dermal contact, or ingestion. Breathing hydrazine may cause coughing and irritation of the throat and lungs, convulsions, tremors, or seizures. Dermal contact may cause redness, pain, and burns. Eating or drinking small amounts of hydrazine may cause nausea, vomiting, uncontrolled shaking, inflammation of the nerves, drowsiness, or coma.

Additional information about hydrazine can be found at http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/hydrazine/.