Dimethylamine
Agent Name
Dimethylamine
CAS Number
124-40-3
Formula
C2-H7-N
Major Category
Nitrogen Compounds
Synonyms
Dimethylamine; Dimethylamine (anhydrous); Methanamine, N-methyl-; N,N-Dimethylamine; N-Methylmethanamine; [ChemIDplus] UN1032; UN1160
Category
Amines, Aliphatic
Description
Colorless gas with an ammonia- or fish-like odor; Note: A liquid below 44 degrees F. Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used as an accelerator in the manufacturing of rubber, detergents, and pesticides; Used in leather tanning; Urinary excretion in humans increased after eating certain fish, meat, dairy, and grains containing DMA; [ACGIH] Used in electroplating, epoxy resin curing, textile manufacturing, photographic processing, hide dehairing, and pharmaceutical production; [HSDB]
Comments
Liquid causes first degree burns on short exposure; [CHRIS] Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Concentrations above 5420 ppm are lethal to mice with pulmonary hemorrhages and peripheral emphysema on pathological examination. Dermal sensitizer; [ACGIH] Pulmonary edema may result from inhalation of high concentrations. [NJ-HSFS] May cause permanent eye injury; Transient visual effects ("blue haze" or "halo vision") occur at low concentrations; [CHEMINFO] Animals suffer liver injury in high-dose experiments. [HSDB]
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
TLV (ACGIH)
5 ppm
STEL (ACGIH)
15 ppm
PEL (OSHA)
10 ppm
MAK
2 ppm
IDLH (NIOSH)
500 ppm
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for dimethylamine is 500 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in animals [Steinhagen et al. 1982].
Odor Threshold Low
0.00076 ppm
Odor Threshold High
1.6 ppm
RD50
511 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 4,540 ppm/6H
Explanatory Notes
Odor threshold from AIHA; The Guide from the Emergency Response Guidebook is for anhydrous dimethylamine. Flash point = 20 deg F; The AIHA WEEL = 1 ppm with a STEL of 3 ppm;
Reference Link #2
NFPA
burn readily
ERPG-1
0.6 ppm
ERPG-2
100 ppm
ERPG-3
350 ppm
WEEL
1 ppm
Adverse Effects
Skin Sensitizer
Yes
Toxic Pneumonitis
Yes
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Dermatotoxin
Skin burns
ACGIH Carcinogen
Not Classifiable
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: