Melamine

Agent Name
Melamine
CAS Number
108-78-1
Formula
C3-H6-N6
Major Category
Nitrogen Compounds
Melamine formula graphical representation
Synonyms
1,3,5-Triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-triimine; 1,3,5-Triazine-2,4,6-triamine; 2,4,6-Triamino-1,3,5-triazine; 2,4,6-Triamino-s-triazine; 2,4,6-Triaminotriazine; ADK Stab ZS 27; Aero; Cyanuramide; Cyanuric triamide; Cyanurotriamide; Cyanurotriamine; DG 002; DG 002 (amine); Hicophor PR; Isomelamine; Mark ZS 27; Pluragard; Pluragard C 133; Spinflam ML 94M; Teoharn; Theoharn; Triaminotriazine; Virset 656-4; Yukamelamine; ZS 27; s-Triazine, 2,4,6-triamino-; s-Triazinetriamine; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Triazines
Description
Colorless to white solid; [ICSC] White powder; [MSDSonline]
Sources/Uses
Used as a co-monomer with formaldehyde to make high pressure laminate resins, molding compounds and surface coating resins, textile and paper treating resins, adhesive resins for gluing lumber, plywood, and flooring; Also used as a flame retardant additive for polypropylene and polyethylene, a leather tanning agent, a rust remover, a metal surface cleaner, an etching agent in the semiconductor industry, and a reagent in numerous fluorination processes; [HSDB]
Comments
Toxic by ingestion; May cause kidney stones; A skin, eye, mucous membrane, and respiratory tract irritant; [CAMEO] An irritant; Effects in high-dose animal studies include abnormal liver function tests; [MSDSonline] No occupational morbidity or mortality reported; [AIHA] Melamine-contaminated pet food caused kidney stones and acute kidney failure in cats and dogs. [Reference #1]
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Vapor Pressure
3.59E-10 mm Hg
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 3,248 mg/m3
WEEL
3 mg/m3

Adverse Effects

Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Nephrotoxin
Yes
IARC Carcinogen
Possible (2b)

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent