Common Name: Dimethylaniline CAS Number: 121-69-7 DOT Number: UN 2253 Date: January, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Dimethylaniline can affect you when breathed in and by passing very readily through your skin. * Exposure lowers the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. This can result in a bluish color to skin and lips, headache, dizziness, collapse, and even death. * It may irritate the eyes. IDENTIFICATION Dimethylaniline is a brownish liquid with an irritating odor. It is used in making dyes and rubber. REASON FOR CITATION * Dimethylaniline is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by ACGIH, DOT, NFPA and EPA. * 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. * ODOR THRESHOLD = 0.013 ppm. * The odor threshold only serves as a warning of exposure. Not smelling it does not mean you are not being exposed. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 5 ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 5 ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift and 10 ppm as a STEL (short term exposure limit). * 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 Dimethylaniline 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 Dimethylaniline 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 Dimethylaniline: * If Dimethylaniline is absorbed through the skin or breathed in, a condition called methemoglobinemia results (lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen). This results in a bluish color to skin and lips (cyanosis), headache, dizziness and, with higher exposures, collapse and death. * Contact may irritate or burn the eyes, and may irritate the nose and throat. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Dimethylaniline and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Dimethylaniline has been tested and further testing is required to evaluate its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * While Dimethylaniline has not been identified as a reproductive hazard, there is some evidence that women working with a related compound (aniline) have a higher incidence of reproductive cycle disorders and abortions. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated exposure to Dimethylaniline may cause the methemoglobinemia condition described above to occur gradually instead of all at once. MEDICAL TESTING If symptoms develop or overexposure occurs, repeat the above tests as soon as possible and get an exam of the nervous system. Blood methemoplobin level. 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 pump liquid Dimethylaniline 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 Dimethylaniline should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Dimethylaniline. * Eye wash fountains in the immediate work area should be provided for emergency use. * On skin contact with Dimethylaniline, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the work shift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Dimethylaniline, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Di methylaniline is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. 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 Dimethylaniline. 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 splash proof chemical goggles and face shield when working with liquid, 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. * Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to Dimethylaniline does not occur. * Where the potential exists for exposures near or over 2.5 ppm, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with an organic vapor cartridge/canister. Increased protection is obtained from full facepiece powered air purifying respirators. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Dimethylaniline, or in the case of a full facepiece respirator you experience eye irritation, leave the area immediately. Check to make sure the respirator to face seal is still good. If it is, replace the filter, cartridge, or canister. If the seal is no longer good, you may need a new respirator. * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your workplace. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters, cartridges, or canisters to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. * Where the potential exists for exposures near or over 5 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. * Exposure to 100 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 100 ppm exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Dimethylaniline you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Dimethylaniline must be stored to avoid contact with OXIDIZERS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, and NITRATES), since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area. * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where Dimethylaniline is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. Common Name: Dimethylaniline DOT Number: UN 2253 DOT Emergency Guide code: 57 CAS Number: 121-69-7 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJDOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY - 2 REACTIVITY - 0 ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Dimethylaniline is a COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers for small fires. * For large fires use water spray, fog or foam. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN A FIRE including Oxides of Nitrogen and Carbon Monoxide. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Dimethyaniline is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Ventilate area of spill or leak. * Cover and mix with a 9:1 mixture of sand and soda ash and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Dimethylaniline as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== FIRST AID POISON INFORMATION Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. * Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. Skin Contact * Immediately rush under shower. Remove all clothes, including shoes. Wash with soap and water. Do not put your clothes back on. Get medical attention immediately. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: less than or equal to 1 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC) Flash Point: 145oF (62.8oC) Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Benzenamine, n,n Dimethyl Other Names and Formulations: n,n-Dimethylaniline; Versneller NL 63/10. ----------------------------------------- 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 Dimethylaniline is a yellow liquid used to make vanillin and dyes, and as an intermediate in the production of other organic chemicals. It may enter the environment from industrial and municipal waste treatment plant 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. Dimethylaniline has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of Dimethylaniline to plants, birds, or land animals. 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. Dimethylaniline has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of Dimethylaniline to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Dimethylaniline is highly soluble in water. Concentrations of 1,000 milligrams and more will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Dimethylaniline is slightly persistent in water, with a half-life of between 2 to 20 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. About 83% of Dimethylaniline will eventually end up in air; about 16.5% will end up in water; and the rest will end up in about equal amounts in terrestrial soils and in aquatic sediments. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living oranisms 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 Dimethylaniline found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of Dimethylaniline in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.