Ethylenediamine
May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)
CAS number: 107–15–3
NIOSH REL: 10 ppm (25 mg/m3) TWA
Current OSHA PEL: 10 ppm (25 mg/m3) TWA
1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL
1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 10 ppm (25 mg/m3) TWA [skin]
Description of Substance: Colorless, viscous liquid with an ammonia-like odor.
LEL(@12 F): 2.5% (10% LEL(@12 F), 2,500 ppm)
Original (SCP) IDLH: 2,000 ppm
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by AIHA [1970] that an 8-hour exposure to 4,000 ppm killed 6 of 6 rats, but that an 8-hour exposure to 2,000 ppm killed 0 of 6 rats [Smyth et al. 1951]. Further support for the chosen IDLH is gained from the statement by UCC [1971] that humans will not stay in concentrations of 2,000 ppm.
Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed
ACUTE TOXICITY DATA
Lethal concentration data:
Species |
Reference |
LC50 (ppm) |
LCLo (ppm) |
Time |
Adjusted 0.5-hr LC (CF) |
Derived value |
| Rat | Smyth et a. 1951 | LC100: 4,000 | ----- | 8 hr | 10,000 ppm (2.5) | 1,000 ppm |
Lethal dose data:
Species |
Reference |
Route |
LD50 (mg/kg) |
LDLo (mg/kg) |
Adjusted LD |
Derived value |
| Rat G. pig Rat |
Izmerov et al. 1982 Smyth et al. 1941 Smyth et al. 1951 |
oral oral oral |
500 470 1,160 |
----- ----- ----- |
1,400 ppm 1,316 ppm 3,248 ppm |
140 ppm 132 ppm 325 ppm |
Other animal data: It has been reported that rats have survived an 8-hour exposure to 2,000 ppm [Smyth et al. 1951].
Human data: It has been reported that workers will not stay in concentrations of 2,000 ppm [UCC 1971].
| Revised IDLH: 1,000 ppm Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for ethylenediamine is 1,000 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in animals [Smyth et al. 1951]. This may be a conservative value due to the lack of relevant acute toxicity data for workers exposed to concentrations between 1,000 and 2,000 ppm. |
REFERENCES:
1. AIHA [1970]. Ethylene diamine. In: Hygienic guide series. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 31:113-115.
2. Izmerov NF, Sanotsky IV, Sidorov KK [1982]. Toxicometric parameters of industrial toxic chemicals under single exposure. Moscow, Russia: Centre of International Projects, GKNT, p. 66.
3. Smyth HF, Seaton J, Fischer L [1941]. The single dose toxicity of some glycols and derivatives. J Ind Hyg Toxicol 23(6):259-268.
4. Smyth HF Jr, Carpenter CP, Weil CS [1951]. Range-finding toxicity data: list IV. AMA Arch Ind Hyg Occup Med 4:119-122.
5. UCC [1971]. Toxicology studies: ethylene diamine. New York, NY: Union Carbide Corporation.