Editing HMX (section)

=== Toxicity ===
At present, the information needed to determine if HMX causes cancer is insufficient. Due to the lack of information, EPA has determined that HMX is not classifiable as to its human carcinogenicity.<ref>"Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetr... (HMX) (CASRN 2691-41-0) | IRIS | US EPA." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2012.[http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0311.htm]</ref>

The available data on the effects on human health of exposure to HMX are limited. HMX causes CNS effects similar to those of RDX, but at considerably higher doses. In one study, volunteers submitted to [[patch test]]ing, which produced skin irritation. Another study of a cohort of 93 workers at an ammunition plant found no hematological, hepatic, autoimmune, or renal diseases. However, the study did not quantify the levels of exposure to HMX.

HMX exposure has been investigated in several studies on animals. Overall, the toxicity appears to be quite low. HMX is poorly absorbed by ingestion. When applied to the dermis, it induces mild skin irritation but not delayed contact sensitization. Various acute and subchronic neurobehavioral effects have been reported in rabbits and rodents, including ataxia, sedation, hyperkinesia, and convulsions. The chronic effects of HMX that have been documented through animal studies include decreased hemoglobin, increased serum alkaline phosphatase, and decreased albumin. Pathological changes were also observed in the animals' livers and kidneys.

Gas exchange rate was used as an indicator of chemical stress in Northern bobwhite quail (''Colinus virginianus'') eggs, and no evidence of alterations in metabolic rates associated with HMX exposure was observed.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Liu|first1=Jun|last2=Cox|first2=Stephen B.|last3=Beall|first3=Blake|last4=Brunjes|first4=Kristina J.|last5=Pan|first5=Xiaoping|last6=Kendall|first6=Ronald J.|last7=Anderson|first7=Todd A.|last8=McMurry|first8=Scott T.|last9=Cobb|first9=George P.|date=2008-05-01|title=Effects of HMX exposure upon metabolic rate of northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) in ovo|journal=Chemosphere|volume=71|issue=10|pages=1945–1949|doi=10.1016/j.chemosphere.2007.12.024|issn=0045-6535|pmid=18279915|bibcode=2008Chmsp..71.1945L}}</ref> No data are available concerning the possible reproductive, developmental, or carcinogenic effects of HMX.<ref name="globalsecurity1" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmr-iagwsp.org/community/facts/hmx.html |title=Fact Sheets |publisher=Mmr-iagwsp.org |access-date=2012-05-24}}</ref> HMX is considered less toxic than [[trinitrotoluene|TNT]] or [[RDX]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.osti.gov/bridge/servlets/purl/42530-YqJ6RG/webviewable/42530.pdf |title=Information Bridge: DOE Scientific and Technical Information - Sponsored by OSTI |publisher=Osti.gov |date= December 1994|access-date=2012-05-24|last1=Daniels |first1=J. I. |last2=Knezovich |first2=J. P. }}</ref> Remediating HMX-contaminated water supplies has proven to be successful.<ref>Newell, Charles. "Treatment of RDX & HMX Plumes Using Mulch Biowalls."  ESTCP Project ER-0426. 2008.</ref>