Diethylamine- HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
* Routes of Exposure
Exposure to diethylamine can occur through inhalation, ingestion, eye or skin contact, and absorption through the skin [Sittig 1991].
* Summary of toxicology
Effects on Animals: Diethylamine is a severe irritant of the eyes and a moderate irritant of the skin and mucous membranes [Hathaway et al. 1991]. Systemic effects of chronic exposure include damage to the liver and heart [ACGIH 1991]. The acute oral LD(50) in rats is 540 mg/kg. The dermal LD(50) in rabbits is 820 mg/kg. The 4-hour inhalation LC(50) in rats is 4,000 ppm [NIOSH 1995; ACGIH 1991]. Rabbits exposed to 50 ppm diethylamine for 7 hours/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks, showed signs of corneal erosion (present after 2 weeks), focal degeneration of the liver, and severe lung irritation. In all animals exposed on the same regimen to 100 ppm, striking degenerative changes were noted in the heart and liver [ACGIH 1991; Hathaway et al. 1991; Grant 1986]. A drop of diethylamine into the eye of a rabbit caused an injury graded 10 on a scale of 1 to 10 [Grant 1986]. The most severely injurious substances are rated 10. Topical application of diethylamine to the skin results in serious irritation and can cause blistering and necrosis [ACGIH 1991].
Effects on Humans: Diethylamine is corrosive to eyes, mucous membranes, and skin. Liquid splashed in the eye causes intense pain and corneal damage, and permanent visual impairment may occur [Hathaway et al. 1991; NLM 1995]. Prolonged or repeated exposure to vapors at concentrations slightly below the irritant level often results in corneal edema, foggy vision, and the appearance of halos around lights [Hathaway et al. 1991; NLM 1995]. Skin contact with liquid diethylamine causes blistering and necrosis [NLM 1995]. Exposure to high vapor concentrations may cause severe coughing, chest pain, and pulmonary edema [Genium 1986]. Ingestion of diethylamine causes severe gastrointestinal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, and may result in perforation of the stomach and esophagus [Genium 1986; NLM 1995].
* Signs and symptoms of exposure
Acute exposure: Inhalation of diethylamine vapors causes tearing and redness of the eyes, corneal edema, and the appearance of "halos" around lights; irritation of the nose, throat, and lungs, with difficult breathing and coughing; pulmonary edema may also occur. Contact of the skin with the vapors may cause skin irritation and dermatitis. Contact with liquid diethylamine can cause severe eye pain, corneal damage, and skin burns. Inhalation of the vapors may also cause headache, nausea, faintness, and anxiety [Clayton and Clayton 1982; Hathaway et al. 1991].
Chronic exposure: By analogy with the effects of other aliphatic amines, dermatitis and chronic pulmonary disease may occur as a result of chronic exposure to diethylamine [Clayton and Clayton 1982].
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