Methylamine

Synonyms

Aminomethane; Anhydrous Methylamine; Carbinamine; MMA; Mercurialin; Methanamine; Methylamine; Methylaminen [Dutch]; Metilamine [Italian]; Metyloamina [Polish]; Monomethylamine; N-Methylamine; [ChemIDplus] UN1061; UN1235

Category

Amines, Aliphatic

Description

Colorless gas with a fish- or ammonia-like odor; Note: A liquid below 21 degrees F. Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used in tanning, dyeing, and in organic synthesis; also used as a fuel additive; Methylamine is present in wine (5-6 ppm) and cigarette smoke; it is a major product of caffeine metabolism; [ACGIH] Used in paint removers and photographic developers; [Hawley]

Comments

Workers tolerate transient exposures to 10 ppm without irritation; Brief exposures at 20 to 100 ppm cause eye, nose, and throat irritation; [ACGIH] Liquid causes first degree burns on short exposure. [CHRIS] Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH] Has potential to cause toxic pneumonitis after exposure to high concentrations from a spill or leak; [ICSC]

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

5 ppm

15 ppm

10 ppm

5 ppm, Ceiling = 10 ppm

100 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Human data: It has been reported that transient irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat has resulted from brief exposures to concentrations of 20 to 100 ppm; the odor was intolerable at 100 to 500 ppm [Clayton and Clayton 1981]. Inhalation of methylamine vapors (at concentrations greater than 100 ppm) has caused irritation of the nose and throat, followed by violent sneezing, burning sensation of the throat, coughing, constriction of the larynx and difficulty in breathing, pulmonary congestion, and edema of the lungs [Deichmann and Gerarde 1969].

0.0009 ppm

Odor Threshold High

4.68 ppm

LC50 (rat) = 448 ppm/2.5H

Explanatory Notes

Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 4.7 ppm); The Guide from the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "methylamine, anhydrous." Flash point = 32 deg F;

Reference Link #2

burn readily

10 ppm

100 ppm

500 ppm

Yes

Skin burns

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Photographic Processing
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Smoking cigarettes