Maleic anhydride

Synonyms

cis-Butenedioic anhydride; 2,5-Furanedione; Maleic acid anhydride; Toxilic anhydride; [NIOSH]

Category

Acid Anhydrides, Cyclic

Description

Colorless needles, white lumps, or pellets with an irritating, choking odor; [NIOSH] Deliquescent; [CHEMINFO]

Sources/Uses

Used in Diel-Alder syntheses; copolymerization reactions; and manufacturing of alkyd-type resins, dye intermediates, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides (Malathion). [Merck Index] Other uses are coatings, epoxies, and paper sizing resins; [ACGIH]

Comments

Causes respiratory distress and lung hemorrhage in rats inhaling 86 mg/m3 six hours/day, five days/week for four weeks; Causes severe corneal ulcerations after instillation into rabbit eyes; A dermal sensitizer based on animal testing and limited data in humans; [ACGIH] Solid form causes first degree burns on short exposure; [CHRIS] Maleic anhydride is a skin irritant. [Quick CPC] Maleic anhydride is a severe eye irritant; [HSDB] Causes occupational asthma: a 34 year old male developed asthma 1 month after starting work in a plant manufacturing polyurethane products. The patient showed a dual asthmatic response after specific inhalation challenge with maleic anhydride. [Reference #1] Maleic anhydride can cause contact urticaria. [Occupational allergic contact urticaria from maleic anhydride. Kanerva L, et al. Contact Dermatitis. 2000 Mar;42(3):170-2. No abstract available.] Danger of skin and airway sensitization; [MAK] See "ACID ANHYDRIDES."

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

No

0.01 mg/m3, Inhalable fraction and vapor

1 mg/m3

0.081 mg/m3, (can also occur as vapor and aerosol)

10 mg/m3

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Human data: In volunteers, 6 to 8 mg/m3 caused nasal irritation within 1 minute and ocular irritation after 15 to 20 minutes [Gervais 1967]. In another study, concentrations of 10 mg/m3 and higher were found to be extremely irritating [IHFA 1969].

0.25 mm Hg

0.25 ppm

Odor Threshold High

0.32 ppm

Explanatory Notes

Odor threshold from AIHA; VP from HSDB;

Reference Link #2

must be preheated

0.2 ppm

2 ppm

20 ppm

Yes

Yes

Yes

Skin burns

Not Classifiable

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Asthma, occupational
• Contact dermatitis, allergic
• Contact urticaria

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides)
• Plastic Composites Manufacturing
• Pulp and Paper Processing