Ecological and toxicological characteristics of the water of reservoirs contaminated with asymmetric dimethylhydrazine

Introduction. Due to the long-term use of asymmetric dimethylhydrazine as a component of rocket fuel, there seems to be a relevant problem with its contamination of environmental objects and its negative effects on those who come into contact with it. In order to carry out federal state sanitary and epidemiological control (supervision) over the content of this substance in the water of reservoirs, it is necessary to establish appropriate hygienic regulations providing for a complex of organoleptic, general sanitary and toxicological studies.

Material and methods. The object of research was an asymmetric dimethylhydrazine (heptyl, 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (CH₃)₂N₂H₂, CAS No. 57-14-7) with a mass fraction of 99% and a specific gravity of d₄²⁰ = 0.7914 g/cm³. Heptyl is well soluble in water.

Results. It has been established that the toxicant, without causing changes in organoleptic properties, has a negative impact on a number of general sanitary characteristics of this ecosystem: biochemical oxygen consumption, nitrification processes, saprophytic microflora. The lowest threshold concentration of the compound for this hazard indicator was 3.0·10^-5 mg/l.

A single intragastric injection of an aqueous solution of heptyl into the body of female rats, subject to storage for 30 days, at different periods of exposure to the substance caused individual violations of homeostasis. The greatest toxic effect was noted after the solution was soaked for 1 day.

Limitations. The identified behavioral features of heptyl must be taken into account when it once pollutes the water of reservoirs (in case of an emergency). However, the data obtained are insufficient to substantiate the hygienic standards of compounds in the water of water bodies.

Conclusion. The results of the performed studies indicate that the ingress of asymmetric dimethylhydrazine into the water represents an ecological and toxicological hazard, registered by two basic signs of harmfulness, which is taken into account when justifying the MPC of the compound in the water of reservoirs.

Compliance with ethical standards. The experimental study was approved by the Independent Ethics Committee at the Scientific Research Institute of Hygiene, Toxicology and Occupational Pathology of the FMBA of Russia (Protocol No. 2 dated June 18, 2024).

Authors’ contribution:
Demidova S.A. – planning and execution of the research;
Maslennikov A.A. – concept and design of the research, analysis of the results, writing the text;
Gorshenin A.V. – collection and processing of the material;
Agaev H.S.S. – statistical data processing;
Novikova O.N. – editing;
Dulov S.A. – concept and design of the research, analysis of the results, editing;
Kucherskoy S.A. – analysis of the results, editing;
Oskina D.G. – analysis of the results, editing.
All co-authors – approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Funding. The study was conducted within the framework of the state program of the Russian Federation “Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation”

Received: September 17, 2025 / Accepted: October 2, 2025 / Published: November 19, 2025

1. Andreeva E.S., Nesterova I.S. Environmental risks of functioning of space industry facilities Mezhdunarodny`j nauchno-issledovatel`skij zhurnal / International Scientific Research Journal. 2023; 128(2). https://doi.org/10.23670/IRJ.2023.128.74 (in Russian)

2. Uteulin K.R. Ecotoxicant – asymmetric dimethylhydrazine. Novosti Nauki Kazakhstana. 2021; 2(149): 194–208 (in Russian)

3. Semenov A.V., Bulkin S.A. Heptyl and its dangerous properties In: Collection "Problems of chemical safety". Proceedings of the IV All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference [Sbornik "Problemy` obespecheniya ximicheskoj bezopasnosti". Sbornik trudov IV Vserossijskoj nauchno-prakticheskoj konferencii]. Khimki: 2023;115–9. (in Russian)

4. Zyablitskaya A.N., Novikova I.I., Shchuchinov L.V. The results of environmental and hygienic monitoring in the areas of impact of separating parts of launch vehicles. Gigiena okruzhayushhej sredy`. 2023; 102(10): 82–94. (in Russian)

5. Osiko S.M. Environmental problems of rocket and space activities: the impact of rocket fuel on the environment in areas where spent stages fall. Molodoj ucheny`j. 2020; 23(313): 482–5. (in Russian)

6. Selivanova L.N., Zakharova Z.M., Lastochkina E.M., Vlasova L.A. Harmful chemicals in the rocket and space industry. Guide [Vredny`e ximicheskie veshhestva v raketno-kosmicheskoj otrasli. Spravochnik]. Edited by V.V. Uyba. Moscow: FMBA, Burnazyan FMBC; 2011, 408. (in Russian)

7. Muravyov A.G. Guidelines for determining water quality indicators by field methods [Rukovodstvo po opredeleniyu pokazatelej kachestva vody` polevy`mi metodami]. St. Petersburg: Christmas+; 2004. (in Russian)

8. Unified methods of water analysis. [Unificirovanny`e metody` analiza vod]. Ed. Lurie Yu.Y. Moscow: Chemistry 1971. 375. (in Russian)

9. Lurie Yu.Y. Analytical chemistry of industrial wastewater Analytical chemistry of industrial wastewater [Analiticheskaya ximiya promy`shlenny`x stochny`x vod]. Moscow: Khimiya; 1984. (in Russian)

10. Tsyganok V.M. Determination of the influence of the studied substances on the processes of natural self-purification during hygienic rationing in the field of sanitary protection of reservoirs: In. Collection of scientific papers of the F.F. Research Institute of Hygiene. Erisman [Sbornik nauchny`x trudov NII gigieny` im. F.F. E`rismana], Moscow: 1974; 55–8. (in Russian)

11. Lakin G.F. Biometrics [Biometriya]. Moscow: Vysshaya Shkola; 1990. (in Russian)

12. Plokhinsky N.A. Algorithms of biometrics [Algoritmy` biometrii]. Moscow: Publishing House of Moscow State University; 1980. (in Russian)

13. New aspects of the study of the effects of the use of heptyl in rocket technology [Novy`e aspekty` issledovaniya posledstvij ispol`zovaniya geptila v raketnoj texnike]. Ed. Shatrov Ya.T. Moscow: Pelikan; 2008. (in Russian)

14. Lavrinenko I.A., Lavrinenko V.A. Investigation of the toxic effects of rocket fuel on some functional parameters of laboratory animal cells. In. Priority areas for the development of modern science: proceedings of the II International Correspondence Scientific and Practical Conference (Cheboksary, January 24, 2011) [Prioritetny`e napravleniya razvitiya sovremennoj nauki: materialy` II Mezhdunarodnoj zaochnoj nauchno-prakticheskoj konferencii (Cheboksary`, 24 yanvarya 2011 g.). Cheboksary: Nauchno-issledovatel`skij institut pedagogiki i psixologiiж 2011; 160–6. (in Russian)