Common Name: 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline CAS Number: 101-77-9 DOT Number: None Date: October 30, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline should be handled as a CARCINOGEN WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * A single large exposure or repeated smaller exposures can cause serious liver disease (toxic hepatitis) with symptoms of fever, upper abdominal pain, jaundice, and loss of appetite. * 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline may affect the kidneys. * Exposure can irritate the eyes. IDENTIFICATION 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline is a light brown crystalline (sugar or sand like) solid. It is used as an epoxy hardening agent and in making resins and rubber. REASON FOR CITATION * 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by ACGIH, NIOSH, NFPA and other authorities. * Definitions are attached. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. * If you think you are experiencing any work related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.1 ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift. * 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline may be a CANCER CAUSING AGENT in humans. There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level. * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limits listed above. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline and at the end of the workshift. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of 4,4'-Methylene to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to 4,4'-Methylene: * Exposure can irritate the eyes. * 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline can cause liver disease (toxic hepatitis) from a single large exposure. Symptoms could include loss of appetite, jaundice, dark urine, fever, upper abdominal pain and fatigue. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to 4,4'-Methylene and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline may be a CANCER CAUSING AGENT in humans since it has been shown to cause liver, thyroid and other types of cancers in animals. * Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a cancer causing agent. Such substances may also have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated exposure can damage the liver and may damage the kidneys. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following are recommended: * Liver function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Kidney function tests. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following control is recommended: * Where possible, automatically transfer 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline from drums or other storage containers to process containers. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline should change into clean clothing promptly. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to 4,4'- Methylene Dianiline. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. * When vacuuming, a high efficiency particulate absolute (HEPA) filter should be used, not a standard shop vacuum. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/ manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/ clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Eye Protection * Wear dust proof goggles and faceshield when working with powders or dust, unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 0.1 ppm, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode, or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. Common Name: 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 101-77-9 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 1 REACTIVITY 0 ---------------------------------------- CANCER CAUSING AGENT ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline may burn, but does not readily ignite. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until cleanup is complete. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of 4,4'-Methylene as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with 4,4'-Methylene you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well ventilated area away from STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE, and FLUORINE). FIRST AID POISON INFORMATION Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of water. PHYSICAL DATA Flash Point: 428oF Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: 4,4'-Methylenebis Benzenamine Other Names and Formulations: MDA; DDM; 4,4'-Diaminodiphenylmethane; Methylenebis(aniline). ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline is a synthetic chemical which is produced commercially for its use as an intermediate in the preparation of epoxy resins, polyurethane foams, rubber chemicals, and elastic polymer fibers. It is a light brown crystalline solid. It may enter the environment from industrial discharges or spills. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life, moderate to high acute toxicity to land animals, and high toxicity to birds. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline to plants. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline is moderately soluble in water. Concentrations of between 1 to 1,000 milligrams will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline is highly persistent in water, with a half-life greater than 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. About 98.8% of 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline will eventually end up in water; about 0.6%, respectively, will end up in terrestrial soils and aquatic sediments. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. The concentration of 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of 4,4'-Methylene Dianiline in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.