Dimethylethylamine

log Kow = 0.70

0.7

Odor threshold measurements on 16 aliphatic amines were made with panels of specific anosmic & normal observers. The anosmia was most pronounced with low-mol-wt tertiary amines, but was also observed with lesser degree with primary & secondary amines.

Dimethylethylamine, [liquid] appears as a clear colorless liquid with a strong odor that can vary from ammonia-like to fishlike. Vapors irritate the eyes and mucous membranes. Less dense than water. Vapors heavier than air. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion. Used in the manufacture of other chemicals.

Liquid

Clear colorless liquid with a strong odor of ammonia or fish; [CAMEO]

Danger

H225: Highly Flammable liquid and vapor [Danger Flammable liquids]

P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P280, P301+P317, P301+P330+P331, P302+P361+P354, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P317, P321, P330, P363, P370+P378, P403+P235, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Danger

H302 (100%): Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]

P260, P264, P264+P265, P270, P273, P280, P301+P317, P301+P330+P331, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P317, P321, P330, P363, P391, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Chemical: Ethanamine, N,N-dimethyl-

Chemical: Amines, C12-14-alkyldimethyl

Ethanamine, N,N-dimethyl- is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Ethanamine, N,N-dimethyl- are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

Status: Active Update: 28-06-2022 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/2004

Status: Active Update: 02-08-2021 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/14216

Ethyldimethylamine: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard

Evaluation - Chemicals that are unlikely to require further regulation to manage risks to environment

IMAP assessments - Tertiary aliphatic (C12-22) and fatty amines: Human health tier II assessment

In an industrial hygiene survey of foundry workers, some high concentrations of dimethylethylamine were found associated with cold-box sand molding. [Appl Occup Environ Hyg 2001 Jan;16(1):66-77] Volunteers exposed to 40-50 mg/m3 for 8 hours experienced mucous membrane irritation and mild corneal edema. [Br J Ind Med 1991 Jan;48(1):26-9] Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Occupational exposure to vapor reportedly causes eye irritation, visual disturbances (haze, blurred vision, lachrymation, and halo perception), and mild edema of corneal epithelium; Systemic effects reported (following suspected large releases) in foundry employees include dizziness, tightness and pain in the chest, abdominal cramps, increased heart rate, headache, and nausea; Emergency treatment: Irritants; [HSDB] Not sensitizing in guinea pig maximization test; Classified in the EU as: Causes burns; Harmful by inhalation and ingestion; Extremely flammable; [IUCLID] Causes burns; Harmful if swallowed or inhaled--can cause chemical pneumonitis; [Alfa Aesar MSDS]

European Chemicals Bureau; IUCLID Dataset, Ethyldimethylamine (CAS # 598-56-1) (2000) describes information on usage patterns, ecotoxicity and toxicity supplied to the European Union by industry.

NIOSH; Preventing Vision Disturbances and Acute Physical Distress Due to Dimethylethylamine (DMEA) Exposure; NIOSH ALERT. Publication No. 88-103 (December 1987) is a Hazard Alert warning of findings of vision disturbances in workers and providing protective measures to eliminate these hazards.

THE PROPERTIES, HAZARDS, & TOXICOLOGY, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ITS APPROPRIATE STORAGE & HANDLING, LEGAL REGULATIONS CONCERNING ITS USAGE & TRANSPORT ARE REVIEWED.[MOREL MC ET AL; DIMETHYLETHYLAMINE; CAH NOTES DOC 86: 121 (1977)]

DIMETHYLETHYLAMINE, [LIQUID] is a base. Neutralize acids to form salts plus water in exothermic reactions. May be incompatible with isocyanates, halogenated organics, peroxides, phenols, epoxides, anhydrides, and acid halides. Flammable gaseous hydrogen is generated in combination with strong reducing agents, such as hydrides.

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

A METHOD IS DESCRIBED FOR DEODORIZING WASTE GAS FROM A FOUNDRY BY SCRUBBING OUT THE WASTE GAS BY ACTIVATED SLUDGE-WATER MIXTURE IN AN ABSORBER. THESE ORGANIC CONSTITUENTS ARE BIOCHEMICALLY OXIDIZED & THE SCRUBBING WATER CAN THEN BE REUSED.

A METHOD & APPARATUS FOR SCRUBBING ETHYLDIMETHYLAMINE FROM OFFGASES IS DESCRIBED, USING A MULTICELLULAR PACKING FOR LOW ENERGY REQUIREMENTS. NUMBER OF SCRUBBING SOLUTIONS ARE RECOMMENDED.

WASTE GAS FROM PRODUCTION OF CORES USING DIMETHYLETHYLAMINE AS A CATALYST IS PURIFIED BY PASSAGE AT A RATE OF 7000 CU M/HR THROUGH A 600 L SCRUBBING UNIT UTILIZING 10% H2SO4 (PH 1.8-2.0) AS THE WASH LIQUID TO GIVE AN ODOR-FREE PRODUCT CONTAINING NO DETECTABLE AMINE CONTENT.

/Absorb small spills with paper and/ burn the paper in a suitable location away from combustible materials. Large quantities can be reclaimed or collected & atomized in suitable combustion chamber equipped with appropriate effluent gas cleaning device.

SRP: Local exhaust ventilation should be applied wherever there is an incidence of point source emissions or dispersion of regulated contaminants in the work area. Ventilation control of the contaminant as close to its point of generation is both the most economical and safest method to minimize personnel exposure to airborne contaminants.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

Wear suitable protective clothing.

In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical attention.

NIOSH recommends that all owners and managers of gray-iron and aluminum casting foundries, manufacturers of polyamides, and other users of DMEA implement or reinforce the following steps to reduce worker exposure so that vision disturbances and systemic effects do not occur: Increase the maintenance on corebox machine gaskets and the number of periodic checks of core machine operation. Modify work practices by (a) reducing the pressure that delivers DMEA to coreboxes to avoid excess gaseous DMEA in the corebox machine, (b) cleaning the joints of the coreboxes to remove excess core sand, and (c) adjusting the system that converts liquid DMEA to a gas so that less liquid DMEA remains in finished cores. Improve engineering control of DMEA by (a) performing regular, thorough evaluations of the local exhaust ventilation systems for the core machines to assure that the capture velocities are adequate and that there are no leaks in the system, (b) substituting less hazardous or less volatile amines, and (c) automating the process. Train workers to (a) handle DMEA safely with the use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, and respirators, and (b) recognize the signs and symptoms of DMEA exposure. When engineering controls are insufficient to prevent the signs and symptoms of DMEA exposures, workers must wear full-facepiece respirators with organic vapor cartridges. Reduce dermal absorption by wearing protective gloves. ... Develop and implement procedures to increase worker reporting of all vision disturbances and systemic effects to plant nurses or physicians. Health care personnel should monitor and evaluate the health of all persons who report signs and symptoms of DMEA exposure. Develop evacuation plans to be used in the event of leaks, spills, or accidents that may cause high concentrations of DMEA in the workplace.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:

When engineering controls are insufficient to prevent the signs and symptoms of N,N-dimethylethylamine exposures, workers must wear full-facepiece respirators with organic vapor cartridges.

A search of the literature indicates that gloves made from butyl rubber or Silver Shield gloves appear to provide the best protection. Gloves made from nitrile rubber are a second choice. Regardless of the material selected, the gloves should be tested under actual work conditions.

The aim was to study the effect of trimethylamine (TMA) on the metabolism of the industrial catalyst N,N-dimethylethylamine to ascertain whether biological monitoring of industrial exposure to N,N-dimethylethylamine is compromised and excretion of the malodorous N,N-dimethylethylamine in sweat and urine is increased by dietary intake of TMA. N,N-dimethylethylamine (0/25 mg) and TMA (0/300/600 mg) were given simultaneously once weekly for six weeks to five healthy volunteers. Plasma was collected before and one hour after the doses, and urine 0-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, and 8-24 hours after the doses. ... Both amines were readily absorbed from the GI tract and excreted in urine within 24 hours (N,N-dimethylethylamine 80%; TMA 86%). Oral intake of TMA increased the N,N-dimethylethylamine content of plasma and urine dose dependently, although there were large individual differences. Plasma and urinary TMA concentrations also increased, but not dose dependently. Moreover, the findings suggested the formation of endogenous TMA, little dealkylation of N,N-dimethylethylamine and TMA, and considerable first-pass metabolism. ... Although intake of TMA reduced N-oxygenation of N,N-dimethylethylamine and TMA, total urinary N,N-dimethylethylamine values (aggregate of N,N-dimethylethylamine and its oxide DMEAO excretion) were unaffected. Thus, monitoring occupational exposure to N,N-dimethylethylamine by analysis of biological specimens is not confounded by dietary intake of TMA, provided that total urinary N,N-dimethylethylamine is monitored. Although the increased urinary and hidrotic excretion of N,N-dimethylethylamine may contribute to body odor problems, they were primarily due to TMA excretion, which is much the greater.

LC50 Leuciscus idus /Freshwater fish, Orfe or Ide/ 32-46 mg/L/96 hr; static, freshwater.

EC50 Daphnia magna straus 39 mg/L for 48 hr. /conditions of bioassay not specified/

EC50 Daphnia magna 57 mg/L/24 hr. /Conditions of bioassay not specified/

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 60(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 0.70(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that N,N-dimethylethylamine is expected to have high mobility in soil(SRC). The pKa of N,N-dimethylethylamine is 10.16(4) indicating that this compound will exist almost entirely in the cation form in the environment and cations generally adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts(5). Volatilization of N,N-dimethylethylamine from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process given its cationic state. N,N-Dimethylethylamine is expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 350 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(6). No aerobic biodegradation data were found for N,N-dimethylethylamine but being structurally similar to triethylamine which, present at 100 mg/L, reached 9% and 28% of its theoretical BOD in 4 weeks using an activated sludge inoculum at 30 mg/L and 100 mg/L, respectively, and the Japanese MITI test(7), suggests that biodegradation is not an important environmental fate process(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 60(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 0.70(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that N,N-dimethylethylamine is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). A pKa of 10.16(4) indicates N,N-dimethylethylamine will exist almost entirely in the cation form at pH values of 5 to 9 and therefore volatilization from water surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(5). According to a classification scheme(6), an estimated BCF of 3(SRC), from its log Kow(2) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Pure cultures of Methanosarcina barkeri degraded N,N-dimethylethylamine under anaerobic conditions(8).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), N,N-dimethylethylamine, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 352 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase N,N-dimethylethylamine is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 5 hours(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 7.7X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). N,N-Dimethylethylamine does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and therefore is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

Develop and implement procedures to increase worker reporting of all vision disturbances and systemic effects to plant nurses or physicians. Health care personnel should monitor and evaluate the health of all persons who report signs and symptoms of N,N-dimethylethylamine exposure.

The Koc of N,N-dimethylethylamine is estimated as 60(SRC), using a log Kow of 0.70(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this estimated Koc value suggests that N,N-dimethylethylamine is expected to have high mobility in soil. The pKa of N,N-dimethylethylamine is 10.16(4) indicating that this compound will exist almost entirely in the cation form in the environment and cations generally adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts(5).

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ Experimental exposure of four volunteers to 40-50 mg/cu m of N,N-dimethylethylamine for eight hours caused irritation of the mucous membrane of their eyes, subjective visual disturbances (haze), and slight edema of the corneal epithelium. The thickness of the cornea showed a slight but consistent increase in all four subjects at these exposures and in two subjects exposed to 10 mg/cu m. Concentrations of 80 and 160 mg/cu m for 15 minutes caused eye irritation but no visual disturbances or corneal edema. Occupational exposure for eight hours to about 25 mg/cu m of N,N-dimethylethylamine (with peaks above 100 mg/cu m) was also associated with eye irritation, haze, and corneal edema. The /authors believed that the/ divergence between /their/ findings and other reports in which visual disturbances occurred at lower concentrations during occupational exposure may be due to peak concentrations.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Episodes of hazy vision (described as "looking through smoke") were reported by 91% (117/129) of the coreroom workers. Other vision disturbances included blurred vision (i.e., objects out of focus) in 79% of the coreroom workers, tearing in 72%, halo perception in 64%, and eye irritation in 48%.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Exposure to tertiary amines has been associated with a number of visual disturbances, including inability to focus and halovision. These result from edema (swelling) of the cornea (the clear, front part of the eye). In addition, a number of systemic effects have been reported, including tachycardia (rapid heart beat) and a transient drop in blood pressure.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Emergency room records indicated the following signs and symptoms in 16 coreroom personnel who sought treatment after suspected large releases of DMEA in November and December 1985: metallic taste (2 workers), eye, nose, or throat irritation (4 workers), dizziness or faintness (5 workers), tight feeling or pain in the chest (7 workers), abdominal cramps (8 workers), blurred vision (8 workers), increased heart rate (10 workers), headache (12 workers), and nausea (13 workers). Systemic effects such as nausea, headache, and increased heart rate appeared to be associated with DMEA concentrations higher than those associated with blurred vision only ... . The same investigators also concluded that halo vision occurred at higher concentrations or after longer exposures than did hazy vision. They further determined that other chemicals known to cause respiratory difficulties (specifically isocyanates) did not exceed the NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL).

For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for N,N-DIMETHYLETHYLAMINE (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

N,N-Dimethylethylamine's production and use as an intermediate in the manufacturing of quaternary ammonium compounds(1), in the production of mold cores(2), and as a stabilizer for chlorinated hydrocarbons and vinyl derivatives(1) may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC).

AEROBIC: No aerobic biodegradation data were found for N,N-dimethylethylamine but being structurally similar to triethylamine which, present at 100 mg/L, reached 9% and 28% of its theoretical BOD in 4 weeks using an activated sludge inoculum at 30 mg/L and 100 mg/L, respectively, and the Japanese MITI test(1), may degrade at similar rates(SRC).

ANAEROBIC: Pure cultures of Methanosarcina barkeri degraded N,N-dimethylethylamine under anaerobic conditions(1).

... In 12 mould core makers in four different foundries using the Ashland cold box technique ... half lives after the end of exposure for N,N-dimethylethylamine in urine of 1.5 hours and dimethylethylamine-N-oxide (DMEAO) of three hours....

... / In four healthy volunteers/ the half-lives of dimethylethylamine (DMEA) and /the metabolite/ dimethylethylamine N-oxide (DMEAO) in plasma were 1.3 and 3.0 hr, respectively. The urinary excretion of DMEA and DMEAO followed a two-phase pattern. The half-lives in the first phase were 1.5 hr for DMEA and 2.5 hr for DMEAO. In the second phase, which started about 9 hr after the end of exposure, half-lives of 7 hr for DMEA and 8 hr for DMEAO were recorded. ...

... During 8 hr, four healthy volunteers were exposed to four different N,N-dimethylethylamine air concentrations (10, 20, 40 and 50 mg/cu m; 20 mg/cu m, two subjects only). N,N-dimethylethylamine was biotransformed into dimethylethylamine N-oxide (DMEAO). On average, DMEAO, accounted for 90% of the combined amount of N,N-dimethylethylamine and DMEAO excreted into the urine. The half-lives of N,N-dimethylethylamine and DMEAO in plasma were 1.3 and 3.0 hr, respectively. The urinary excretion of N,N-dimethylethylamine and DMEAO followed a two-phase pattern. The half-lives in the first phase were 1.5 hr for N,N-dimethylethylamine and 2.5 hr for DMEAO. In the second phase, which started about 9 hr after the end of exposure, half-lives of 7 hr for N,N-dimethylethylamine and 8 hr for DMEAO were recorded. The combined concentration of N,N-dimethylethylamine and DMEAO, in both plasma and urine, showed an excellent correlation with the air concentration of N,N-dimethylethylamine. Thus, both urinary excretion and plasma concentration can be used for biological monitoring of exposure to N,N-dimethylethylamine. An 8-hr exposure to 10 mg N,N-dimethylethylamine/cu m corresponds to a postexposure plasma concentration and 2-hr postexposure urinary excretion of 4.9 umol/L and 75 mmol/mol creatinine, respectively.

In /mould core manufacturing/ workers exposed to 0.003 - 0.007 mg/L, inhaled dimethylethylamine was excreted in urine as the original amine and as its metabolite dimethylethylamine-N-oxide.

In an inhalation study with human volunteers exposed to 10 to 50 mg/cu m (3.3 to 16.7 ppm) of dimethylethylamine over 8 hr, alveolar uptake was 80% to 90%. Most of the substance was eliminated in the urine either as unchanged dimethylethylamine (10%) or as an oxidized metabolite dimethylethylamine-N-oxide (90%).

... The aims of the study were three-fold: to assess the skin uptake of the industrial catalyst N,N-dimethylethylamine (a) in vitro from water solutions by fresh guinea-pig and human skin specimens, (b) in gaseous form in vivo in human volunteers, and (c) to estimate the relevance of the uptake as an occupational hazard. ... N,N-dimethylethylamine, diluted with water or isotonic saline solution was applied to fresh human or guinea-pig skin, mounted in Teflon flow-through cells with a perfusion fluid flow rate of 1.5 mL/hr, samples being collected at 2-hr intervals for 48 hr. Three healthy male volunteers each had their right forearm exposed (in a Plexiglass chamber) for 4 hr to N,N-dimethylethylamine at each of three different levels (250, 500 and 1000 mg/cu m air). Urine was collected up to 24 hr after the start of each experiment. ... N,N-dimethylethylamine penetrated both guinea-pig and human skin. The median steady-state flux and permeability coefficient (Kp) values, were 0.009 mg/sq cm x hr and 0.001 cm/hr, respectively, for guinea-pig skin, and 0.017 mg/sq cm x hr and 0.003 cm/hr, respectively, for human skin. The median uptake in the three volunteers at the different N,N-dimethylethylamine exposure levels (250, 500 or 1000 mg/cu m) was 44, 64 and 88 ug, respectively. The median Kp for all experiments was 0.037 cm/hr. /The authors concluded that/ uptake of DMEA through the skin is of far less importance than simultaneous uptake via the airways. Thus, the amount of N,N-dimethylethylamine excreted in urine is a variable of limited use for the purposes of biological monitoring...

Used as a curing agent for cold-box sand molding in foundries, in the polymerization of polyamides, as intermediate for quaternary ammonium compounds, and as stabilizer for chlorinated hydrocarbons and vinyl derivatives; [HSDB] Used to make other chemicals; [CAMEO]

Molding and Core Making [Category: Foundry]

AS CURING CATALYST FOR RESIN BONDING OF SAND CORES

Dimethylethylamine is used in the production of mold cores in gray-iron and aluminum casting foundries and in the polymerization of polyamides.

Intermediate in the manufacturing of quaternary ammonium compounds ... stabilizer for chlorinated hydrocarbons and vinyl derivatives.

2023: <50,000 lb

Production volumes for non-confidential chemicals reported under the Inventory Update Rule. [Table#5522]

This chemical is listed as a High Production Volume (HPV) (65FR81686). Chemicals listed as HPV were produced in or imported into the U.S. in >1 million pounds in 1990 and/or 1994. The HPV list is based on the 1990 Inventory Update Rule. (IUR) (40 CFR part 710 subpart B; 51FR21438).

In 1977, the United States produced less that 1,000 pounds of DMEA, but it imported an estimated 1.2 to 12 million pounds.

Ethanamine, N,N-dimethyl-: ACTIVE

N,N-Dimethylethylamine is used /in the production of mold cores/ under pressure as a gas catalyst in the coremaking operation. The cores are solid reproductions of the hollow spaces desired within the finished castings. They are made from a mixture of silica sand or other aggregates, liquid phenolic resin, and a diisocyanate in a corebox machine (Isocure process). This mixture is cured in the corebox machine by a 1/2- to 3-second exposure to N,N-dimethylethylamine. Dry air is then blown through the core to purge any remaining N,N-dimethylethylamine. After the solidified cores are manually removed from the corebox, they are either placed on storage racks or they are assembled directly. Core finishers usually work adjacent to several of the core machines and perform many intricate manual tasks to finish and assemble the cores. From the coreroom, the finished cores are sent to the mold floor, where they are placed in molds before the molten metal is poured.