Pyridine

Synonyms

Azabenzene; Azine; CP 32; Piridina [Italian]; Pirydyna [Polish]; Pyridin [German]; Pyridine; [ChemIDplus] UN1282

Category

Pyridines

Description

Colorless to yellow liquid with a nauseating, fish-like odor; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as a solvent for paint and rubber; used as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals, dyes, pesticides, textile finishes, and other chemicals; also used as a flavoring agent; [ACGIH]

Comments

Liquid causes first degree burns on short exposure. [CHRIS] In rat studies, pyridine produces anesthesia after inhalation of high concentrations and liver injury after sub-chronic feeding. The liver and kidneys are target organs in animal results. Workers avoid exposure because of its foul odor. Workers exposed to 125 ppm complained of transient nausea, headache, low back and abdominal discomfort, and urinary frequency without evidence of liver or kidney injury. [ACGIH] Allergic contact dermatitis reported in a laboratory technician; [Kanerva, p. 1831] An irritant and potential CNS depressant; May have effects on the liver and kidneys; [ICSC]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

1 ppm

5 ppm

1000 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Human data: Nausea, headache, insomnia, nervousness, and low back or abdominal discomfort with urinary frequency have occurred in individuals exposed to concentrations averaging 125 ppm for 4 hours/day for 1 to 2 weeks [Patty 1963]. Chronic poisoning with mild symptoms of central nervous system injury occurred in workers at a plant where pyridine vapor concentrations ranged from 6 to 12 ppm [Tessinger 1948].

20.8 mm Hg

0.23 ppm

Odor Threshold High

1.9 ppm

LC50 (rat) = 28,500 mg/m3/1H

Explanatory Notes

Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 0.66 ppm); Flash point = 20 deg C; VP from HSDB;

Whole body: less than 24 hours; [TDR, p. 1062]

Reference Link #2

may ignite at ambient temp

Yes

Other CNS neurotoxin

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

Yes

Skin burns

Possible (2b)

Confirmed Animal

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, allergic
• Encephalopathy, acute toxic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Painting (Solvents)

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Smoking cigarettes