Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

O-PHENYLENEDIAMINE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Manufacture of dyes, photographic developing agent, organic synthesis, laboratory reagent.
Intermediate

SYNONYMS

C6-H8-N2, C6H4(NH2)2, 2-aminoaniline, 2-aminoaniline, "o-phenylene diamine", "o-phenylene
diamine", o-benzenediamine, o-benzenediamine, ortho-phenylenediamine, "1, 2-
benzenediamine", "1, 2-benzenediamine", orthophenylenediamine, o-diaminobenzene, o-
diaminobenzene, orthamine, "1, 2-diaminobenzene", "1, 2-diaminobenzene",
"phenylenediamine ortho", "1, 2-phenylenediamine", "1, 2-phenylenediamine", OPD, "C.I.
76010", phenylenediamines, "CI 76010", "phenylene diamine", CI76010, "C.I. Oxidation Base
16", "EK 1700", "NSC 5354", Orthamine, "SQ 15500"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Toxic if swallowed.
Irritating to eyes.
May cause SENSITIZATION by skin contact.
Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.
Possible risk of irreversible effects.
Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin.
Very 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.  

EYE

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  Irritation of the eyes may produce a heavy secretion of tears (lachrymation).  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may be harmful; systemic effects may resultfollowing absorption.  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Abrasive damage however, may result from prolonged exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Molten material is capable of causing burns.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  

INHALED

  There is some evidence to suggest that the material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.  Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled.  Processing for an overly long time or processing at overly high temperatures may cause generation and release of highly irritating vapors, which irritate eyes, nose, throat, causing red itching eyes, coughing, sore throat.  Usually handled as molten liquid which requires worker thermal protection and increases hazard of vapor exposure.CAUTION: Vapors may be irritating.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There has been concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations, but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Exposure to the material may result in a possible risk of irreversible effects. The material may produce mutagenic effects in man. This concern is raised, generally, on the basis ofappropriate studies using mammalian somatic cells in vivo. Such findings are often supported by positive results from in vitro mutagenicity studies.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  There is some evidence that inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  o-Phenylendiamine is suspected as a cause of bladder cancers in "aniline' workers. There is evidence available suggesting that o-phenylenediamine is carcinogenic in animals.  Most arylamines are powerful poisons to the blood-making system. High chronic doses cause congestion of the spleen and tumor formation.  Phenylenediamine derivatives can cause skin damage, which generallydisappears when exposure ceases.