Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HEXAMINE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Used in the manufacture of explosive compounds, sealing compounds, hide preservatives,
phenol- formaldehyde resin cross- linking agents, corrosion inhibitors, and lubrication
and insulation oils. It is also used in the manufacture of adhesives, dye fixatives,
shrink- proof textiles, and protein modifiers. Other uses include antiseptics,
pharmaceuticals, fuel tablets for camping stoves and organic synthesis. Decomposes on
heating to form highly irritating and flammable formaldehyde and ammonia gases.
Intermediate

SYNONYMS

C6-H12-N4, HMTA, hexamethyleneamine, "1, 3, 5, 7-tetraazatricyclo[3.3.1.1]-decane", "1, 3,
5, 7-tetraazatricyclo[3.3.1.1]-decane", "1, 3, 5, 7-tetraaza-adamantane", "1, 3, 5, 7-
tetraaza-adamantane", Aminoform, Ammoform, Cystamin, Cystogen, Formin, Formamine,
Ammonioformaldehyde, Metramine, Hexaform, Uritone, Hexilmethyleneamine, Urotropine,
Resotropin, Urotropin, "Methenamine GR"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May cause SENSITIZATION by inhalation and skin contact.
Highly flammable.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Large doses of ammonia or injected ammonium salts may produce diarrhea and may be sufficiently absorbed to produce increased production of urine and systemic poisoning. Symptoms include weakening of facial muscle, tremor, anxiety, reduced muscle and limb control.  Ingestion of formaldehyde may cause immediate severe abdominal pain, with vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, anuria, dizziness, followed by unconsciousness, convulsions and may result in death.  The methanol stabiliser in solutions is a cause of visual impairment and possible permanent blindness.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may cause transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn). Slight abrasive damage may also result. The material may produce foreign body irritation in certain individuals.  

SKIN

  Skin contact is not thought to have harmful health effects, however the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions.  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can cause inflammation of the skin on contact in some persons.  Mild irritation is produced on moist skin when vapour concentrations of ammonia exceed 10000 ppm. High vapour concentrations (>30000 ppm) or direct contact with solutions produces severe pain, a stinging sensation, burns and vesiculation and possible brown stains. Extensive burning may be fatal. Vapour exposure may, rarely, produce urticaria.  Minor regular skin contact with formaldehyde results in hardening of skin - tanning.  Formaldehyde is a sensitising agent capable of inducing contact dermatitis. Episodes of contact dermatitis have been observed amongst workers exposed to formaldehyde in hospitals, in the production of formaldehyde resins, textiles, shampoos and laminated furniture. Contact urticaria has also been reported as a result of dermal exposure.  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

  The material is not thought to produce either adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract following inhalation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, adverse effects have been produced following exposure of animals by at least one other route and good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  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.  The highly irritant properties of ammonia vapor result as the gas dissolves in mucous fluids and forms irritant, even corrosive solutions.  Inhalation of vapour at relatively low concentrations may cause a tingling sensation in the nose and upper respiratory tract. Slightly higher concentrations may cause a burning sensation, headache.High vapour concentrations of formaldehyde are capable of causing chest constriction, bronchiopneumonia, dysphagia, oedema, spasms of the larynx and dyspnoea.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.  Prolonged or repeated minor exposure to ammonia gas/vapour may cause long-term irritation to the eyes, nose and upper respiratory tract. Repeated exposure or prolonged contact may produce dermatitis, and conjunctivitis.  Other effects may include ulcerative changes to the mouth and bronchial and gastrointestinal disturbances. Adaptation to usually irritating concentrations may result in tolerance. In animals, repeated exposures to sub-lethal levels produces adverse effects on the respiratory tract, liver, kidneys and spleen. Exposure at 675 ppm for several weeks produced eye irritation in dogs and rabbits; corneal opacity, covering between a quarter to one half of the total surface area, was evident in rabbits.  When administered by inhalation, formaldehyde induced squamous cell carcinomas of the nasal cavity in rats of both sexes. Although excess occurrence of a number of cancers has been reported in humans, the evidence for a possible involvement of formaldehyde is strongest for nasal and nasopharangeal cancer. The occurrence of these cancers showed an exposure-response gradient in more than one study, but the numbers of exposed cases were often small and some studies did not show excesses In humans. Formaldehyde exposure has been associated with cancers of the lung, nasopharynx and oropharynx and nasal passages.  Several investigations have concluded that specific respiratory sensitisation occurs based on positive bronchial provocation tests amongst formaldehyde-exposed workers. These studies have been criticised for methodological reasons. One large study however revealed that 5% of persons exposed to formaldehyde and had asthma-like symptoms met the study criteria for formaldehyde-induced asthma; this included a positive response on a bronchial provocation test with 2.5 mg/m3 formaldehyde. Although differential individual sensitivity has been established, the mechanism for this increased sensitivity is unknown.  There is limited evidence that formaldehyde has any adverse effect on reproduction or development in humans. An investigation of reproductive function in female workers exposed to formaldehyde in the garment industry, revealed an increased incidence of menstrual disorders, inflammatory disease of the reproductive tract, sterility, anaemia, and low birth weights amongst off-spring.  Respiratory sensitization may result in allergic/asthma like responses; from coughing and minor breathing difficulties to bronchitis with wheezing, gasping.  Sensitization may result in allergic dermatitis responses includingrash, itching, hives or swelling of extremities.  HMTA is a known skin sensitiser and some individuals develop skin irritation from contact with the solid, vapour or solution.