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1325991 
Book/Book Chapter 
Diethylamine 
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists :: ACGIH 
2001 
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists 
Cincinnati, OH 
Documentation of the threshold limit values and biological exposure indices 
English 
is a chapter of 594530 Documentation of the threshold limit values and biological exposure indices
Acute DEN exposure produces severe irritation to the eyes and skin of laboratory animals and of humans. Irritation was seen in humans exposed at 12 and 25 ppm; however, no changes in nasal tissues were detected by rhinometry.<26l Repeated inhalation exposure to DEN vapor also produced irritation of the upper respiratory tract of rodents. Although a no-observed-effect level (NOEL) was not determined for the upper respiratory tract in the rat, respiratory tract pathology at 250 ppm was not accompanied by significant toxicity to other organs or organ systems. No sign of response at 25 ppm was seen in rats exposed for 24 weeks; however, the upper respiratory tract was not examined microscopically.(13l A TLV-TWA of 5 ppm is recommended to minimize the potential risk of irritation produced by repeated, low-level exposures to DEN. A TLV-5TEL of 15 ppm is recommended to prevent transient irritation that could be produced at higher concentrations. The professional judgment of ACGIH is that these recommended exposure values should also minimize the risk for exposed workers against systemic or chronic health hazards, although scientific studies to verify this conclusion are not available. Although the animal toxicity data for the ethylamines are similar (ethylamine, diethylamine, and triethylamine), the TLV-TWA for triethylamine (1 ppm) has been established to prevent acute symptoms in humans (visual disturbances) (see TL V Documentation for Triethylamine). To date, no reports of this manifestation have been reported with DEN exposure. Even though there are no human data for skin absorption, considering the lethal dose of DEN to rabbits following dermal exposure was 820 mg/kg, (S) a Skin notation for this chemical is recommended. ACGIH solicits additional quantitative information pertaining to the NOEL and skin absorption potential that can be used as a basis for more clearly defining these areas. DEN is classified as an A4 carcinogen, Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen, on the basis of the guinea pig study cited(1Sl and by analogy with dimethylamine (see TL V documentation for Dimethylamine), which has been tested by inhalation in animals and found noncarcinogenic. (29) 
7th 
9781882417438