Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

XYLIDINE (MIXED ISOMERS)

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Manufacture of dyes, pharmaceuticals and other organic compounds.

SYNONYMS

C8-H11-N, (CH3)2C6N3NH2, dimethylaniline, aminodimethylbenzene, aminomethyltoluene,
dimethylbenzeneamine, dimethylphenylamine

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Danger of cumulative effects.
Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the aquatic
environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Toxic effects may result from the accidental ingestion of the material; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 40 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Central nervous system (CNS) depression may include general discomfort, symptoms of giddiness, headache, dizziness, nausea, anaesthetic effects, slowed reaction time, slurred speech and may progress to unconsciousness. Serious poisonings may result in respiratory depression and may be fatal.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may produce toxic effects; systemic effectsmay result following absorption.  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Temporary discomfort, however, may result from prolonged dermal exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Toxic effects may result from skin absorption.  Exposure limits with "skin" notation indicate that vapor and liquid may be absorbed through intact skin. Absorption by skin may readily exceed vapor inhalation exposure. Symptoms for skin absorption are the same as for inhalation. Contact with eyes and mucous membranes may also contribute to overall exposure and may also invalidate the exposure standard.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of the material, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Most arylamines are powerful poisons to the blood-making system. High chronic doses cause congestion of the spleen and tumor formation.  Primary routes of exposure are usually via skin contact/absorption  and inhalation of vapours.  In chronic toxicological studies NTP found that 2,6-xylidine was  carcinogenic to both male and female rats causing significant increases in  the incidences of nasal cavity adenomas and carcinomas, subcutaneous  fibromas and fibrosarcomas at a dietary level of 3000 ppm.  Severe or chronic poisoning may damage the liver, kidney and blood  functions.