Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

P-PHENETIDINE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Dyestuffs intermediate, pharmaceuticals, lab reagent. Fragrance

SYNONYMS

C2H5O-C6H4-NH2, C8-H11-NO, para-phenetidine, 4-aminoethoxybenzene, 4-aminoethoxybenzene,
p-aminophenetole, p-aminophenetole, para-aminophenetole, 4-aminophenetole, 4-
aminophenetole, p-ethoxyaniline, p-ethoxyaniline, para-ethoxyaniline, 4-
ethoxybenzeneamine, 4-ethoxybenzeneamine, 4-ethoxyaniline, 4-ethoxyaniline, phenethidine,
p-phenetidin, p-phenetidin, para-phenetidin, NH2C6H4OC2H5, C8-H11-N-O, C8-H11-N-O

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Danger of cumulative effects.
Irritating to eyes.
May cause SENSITIZATION by skin contact.
Possible risk of irreversible effects.
Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 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.  

EYE

  This 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 be harmful; systemic effects may resultfollowing 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 be harmful.  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

  Repeated or long-term occupational exposure is likely to produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  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.  Most arylamines are powerful poisons to the blood-making system. High chronic doses cause congestion of the spleen and tumor formation.  Absorption into the body leads to the formation of methemoglobin which in sufficient concentration causes cyanosis. Onset may be delayed 2 to 4 hours or longer.  In a factory manufacturing the vat dye Thioindigo Orange from p-phenetidine, anaemia and methaemoglobinaemia were common findings amongst workers. Incidents of irritation of the throat, nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue and cyanosis of the fingernails and lips were frequent.  [Vasilenko & Nakonechnyi, Hygiene & Sanitation, 35, 1970]  About 30% of ingested phenetidine is excreted as ethereal sulfates. A p-toluidine-  ammonium glucuronate complex has been isolated from p-, o-, m-phenetidine urines.