Triethylamine

Synonyms

(Diethylamino)ethane; Ethanamine, N,N-diethyl-; N,N-Diethylethanamine; TEA; TEN; Triaethylamin [German]; Triethylamine; Trietilamina [Italian; [ChemIDplus] UN1296

Category

Amines, Aliphatic

Description

Colorless liquid with a strong, ammonia-like odor; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as a catalyst for polyurethane foams, an accelerator for rubber, and a curing agent for amino and epoxy resins; (HSDB) Used as an accelerator in photography development; [ILO Encyclo: Amines, Aliphatic] Used to make quaternary ammonium compounds and as a catalyst to make sand-based cores and molds; [ACGIH]

Comments

TLV Basis is visual impairment and upper respiratory tract irritation; Transient visual disturbances with blurring and halo vision are reported to occur at 3 to 4 ppm but not at 1 to 1.25 ppm. Mice that inhaled lethal concentrations had respiratory irritation, tremors, and convulsions. [ACGIH] Liquid causes first degree burns on short exposure; [CHRIS] Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Short-term exposure at high concentrations may cause pulmonary edema. [ICSC] May cause permanent eye injury; Transient visual effects ("blue haze" or "halo vision") occur at low concentrations; [CHEMINFO] Experimental animals exposed repeatedly to 100 ppm show evidence of liver, kidney, lung, and heart damage. [HSDB] A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC]

Biomedical References

Yes

0.5 ppm

1 ppm

25 ppm

1 ppm

200 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the UCC [1970] report that a 4­hour exposure to 1,000 ppm killed 1 of 6 rats. . . . Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.

57.07 mm Hg

0.1 ppm

Odor Threshold High

0.65 ppm

184 ppm

LCLo (rat) = 1,000 ppm/4 hr

Explanatory Notes

Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 0.25 ppm); Flash point = -7 deg C; VP from HSDB;

Reference Link #2

may ignite at ambient temp

Yes

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Skin burns

Not Classifiable

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Molding and Core Making
• Photographic Processing
• Plastic Composites Manufacturing