Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HEXAMETHYLENEIMINE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Intermediate for pharmaceuticals, agricultural and rubber chemicals.

SYNONYMS

C6-H13-N, "11-azepine, hexahydro-", "11-azepine, hexahydro-", azacycloheptane, 1-
azacyloheptane, 1-azacyloheptane, cyclohexamethyleneimine, G-0, hexahydroazepine,
hexahydro-1H-azepine, homopiperidine, perhydroazepine, "piperidine, homo-"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Toxic if swallowed.
Causes burns.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
Highly flammable.

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 material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion.  Amines without benzene rings when swallowed are absorbed throughout the gut. Corrosive action may cause damage throughout the gastrointestinal tract. They are removed through the liver, kidney and intestinal mucosa by enzyme breakdown.  Exposure to the piperidines may result in increases blood pressure and heart rate, nausea,  vomiting, salivation, labored breathing, muscular weakness, paralysis and convulsions. It may also excite the senses of hearing and touch.  

EYE

  The material can produce chemical burns to the eye following direct contact. Vapors or mists may be extremely irritating.  If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.  Vapors of volatile amines irritate the eyes, causing excessive secretion of tears, inflammation of the conjunctiva and slight swelling of the cornea, resulting in "halos" around lights. This effect is temporary, lasting only for a few hours. However this condition can reduce the efficiency of undertaking skilled tasks, such as driving a car. Direct eye contact with liquid volatile amines may produce eye damage, permanent for the lighter species.  

SKIN

  The material can produce chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin.  Bare unprotected skin should not be exposed to this material.  Toxic effects may result from skin absorption.  Volatile amine vapors produce irritation and inflammation of the skin. Direct contact can cause burns. They may be absorbed through the skin and cause similar effects to swallowing, leading to death. The skin may exhibit whiteness, redness and wheals.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons.  Inhalation hazard is increased at higher temperatures.  Inhalation of amine vapors may cause irritation of the mucous membrane of the nose and throat, and lung irritation with respiratory distress and cough. Swelling and inflammation of the respiratory tract is seen in serious cases; with headache, nausea, faintness and anxiety There may also be wheezing.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Considered toxic by all exposure routes.  Principal routes of exposure are usually by inhalation of vapor skin contact / absorption of the material.  Secondary amines may react with nitrites to form potentially carcinogenicN-nitrosamines.