| Agent Name |
Methylamine |
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| CAS Number |
74-89-5 |
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| Formula |
C-H5-N |
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| Major Category |
Nitrogen Compounds |
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| Synonyms |
Aminomethane; Anhydrous Methylamine; Carbinamine; MMA; Mercurialin; Methanamine; Methylamine; Methylaminen [Dutch]; Metilamine [Italian]; Metyloamina [Polish]; Monomethylamine; N-Methylamine; [ChemIDplus] UN1061; UN1235 |
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| Category |
Amines, Aliphatic |
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| Description |
Colorless gas with a fish- or ammonia-like odor; Note: A liquid below 21 degrees F. Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used in tanning, dyeing, and in organic synthesis; also used as a fuel additive; [ACGIH] Used in paint removers and photographic developers; [Hawley] |
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| Comments |
Liquid causes first degree burns on short exposure. [CHRIS] Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH] Has potential to cause toxic pneumonitis after exposure to high concentrations from a spill or leak; [ICSC] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
5 ppm |
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| STEL (ACGIH) |
15 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
10 ppm |
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| MAK |
10 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
100 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: It has been reported that transient irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat has resulted from brief exposures to concentrations of 20 to 100 ppm; the odor was intolerable at 100 to 500 ppm [Clayton and Clayton 1981]. Inhalation of methylamine vapors (at concentrations greater than 100 ppm) has caused irritation of the nose and throat, followed by violent sneezing, burning sensation of the throat, coughing, constriction of the larynx and difficulty in breathing, pulmonary congestion, and edema of the lungs [Deichmann and Gerarde 1969]. |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
0.0009 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
4.68 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 448 ppm/2.5H |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 4.7 ppm); The Guide from the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "methylamine, anhydrous." Flash point = 32 deg F; |
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| Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
4: burns readily |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
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| Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: METHYLAMINE
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