Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

O-ANISIDINE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Intermediate in production of azo dyestuffs and guaiacol. Intermediate

SYNONYMS

C7-H9-N-O, C7-H9-N-O, CH3-O-C6H4-NH2, CH3-O-C6H4-NH2, o-aminoanisole, o-aminoanisole, 2-
aminoanisole, 2-aminoanisole, 1-amino-2-methoxybenzene, 1-amino-2-methoxybenzene, 2-
anisidine, 2-anisidine, o-anisylamine, o-anisylamine, "benzenamine, 2-methoxy-",
"benzenamine, 2-methoxy-", 2-methoxy-1-aminobenzene, 2-methoxy-1-aminobenzene, o-
methoxyaniline, o-methoxyaniline, 2-methoxyaniline, 2-methoxyaniline, 2-
methoxybenzenamine, 2-methoxybenzenamine, o-methoxyphenylamine, o-methoxyphenylamine

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May cause CANCER.
Possible risk of irreversible effects.
Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.

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.  Strong evidence exists that the substance may cause irreversible but non-lethal mutagenic effects following a single exposure.  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.  At sufficiently high doses the material may be nephrotoxic(i.e. poisonous to the kidney).  

EYE

  Although the liquid 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 liquid may be miscible with fats or oils and may degrease the skin, producing a skin reaction described as non-allergic contact dermatitis. The material is unlikely to produce an irritant dermatitis as described in EC Directives .  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.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There is ample evidence that this material can be regarded as being able to cause cancer in humans based on experiments and other information.  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.  There is limited evidence that, skin contact with this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Most arylamines are powerful poisons to the blood-making system. High chronic doses cause congestion of the spleen and tumor formation.  Workmen exposed to air concentrations of 0.4 ppm for 3.5 hours/day for 6 months developed no anaemia or chronic poisoning. There were however complaints of headache and vertigo. Blood chemistry revealed increased sulfhaemoglobin, methaemoglobin and frequent occurrence of erythrocytic inclusion bodies (Heinz bodies).  When p-anisidine was painted on mice skin at 10-30 mg/m3 for 2 hours/day, 6 days/week there was a decrease in excitable nerves at the end of 1 month, followed after 12 months by chronic intoxication, anaemia and reticulocytosis.  In a study of mice and rats fed o-anisidine hydrochloride for 103 weeks (5000 mg/kg) there was a significant increase in transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder in both sexes. The p-isomer gave equivocal results when administered in the diet male rats and no evidence of carcinogenicity in male or female mice or female rats.