Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

M-TOLUIDINE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Manufacture of dye- stuffs. Fragrance

SYNONYMS

C7-H9-N, 3-aminotoluene, 3-aminotoluene, "meta toluidine", 3-aminophenylmethane, 3-
aminophenylmethane, m-methylaniline, m-methylaniline, 3-amino-1-methylbenzene, 3-amino-1-
methylbenzene, m-aminotoluene, m-aminotoluene, 3-methylaniline, 3-methylaniline, "3-
methyl benzeneamine", "3-methyl benzeneamine", 1-methyl-3-aminobenzene, 1-methyl-3-
aminobenzene, 3-methyl-1-aminobenzene, 3-methyl-1-aminobenzene, m-methylbenzeneamine, m-
methylbenzeneamine, 3-methylbenzeneamine, 3-methylbenzeneamine, 3-toluidine, 3-toluidine,
m-tolylamine, m-tolylamine

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Danger of cumulative effects.
Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Very toxic to aquatic organisms.

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.  The substance and/or its metabolites may bind to hemoglobin inhibiting normal uptake of oxygen. This condition, known as "methemoglobinemia", is a form of oxygen starvation (anoxia).  Symptoms include cyanosis (a bluish discoloration skin and mucous membranes) and breathing difficulties. Symptoms may not be evident until several hours after exposure.  At about 15% concentration of blood methemoglobin there is observable cyanosis of the lips, nose and earlobes. Symptoms may be absent although euphoria, flushed face and headache are commonly experienced. At 25-40%, cyanosis is marked but little disability occurs other than that produced on physical exertion. At 40-60%, symptoms include weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, increasingly severe headache, ataxia, rapid shallow respiration, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, lethargy and stupor. Above 60% symptoms include dyspnea, respiratory depression, tachycardia or bradycardia, and convulsions. Levels exceeding 70% may be fatal.  

EYE

  There is some evidence that material may produce eye irritation in some persons and produce eye damage 24 hours or more after instillation. Moderate inflammation may be expected with redness; conjunctivitis may occur with prolonged exposure.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may produce toxic effects; systemic effectsmay result following absorption.  There is some evidence to suggest that the material may cause mild but significant inflammation of the skin either following direct contact or after a delay of some time. Repeated exposure can cause contact dermatitis which is characterized by redness, swelling and blistering.  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

  Inhalation of aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may produce toxic effects; these may be fatal.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of vapors, fumes or aerosols, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Clinical signs of intoxication in humans include methaemoglobinaemia and haematuria. An exposure of 40 ppm of toluidine (all isomers) in air for 60 minutes produces severe intoxication. Prolonged exposure to as little as 10 ppm was reported to cause symptoms of illness. A 1-hour exposure at 640 mg/kg p-toluidine, in air, cause ocular and upper respiratory tract irritation in rats.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Repeated or long-term occupational exposure is likely to produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Although hepatic tumours are observed in male mice fed low doses of m-toluidine there is no evidence of a dose-response relationship.  Most arylamines are powerful poisons to the blood-making system. High chronic doses cause congestion of the spleen and tumor formation.