ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
DIPHENYLAMINE ((C6H5)2NH)
SYNONYMS
None known.
CHARACTERISTICS
White or almost white crystals with a floral odour. The crystals
darken on exposure to light.
INCOMPATIBILITY
Heating produces toxic fumes of nitrogen and carbon.
Dimethylamine is incompatible with hexachloromethylamine,
trichloromethylamine and strong oxidising agents reacts
violently.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
A potential carcinogen and a teratogen and should never be
handled by staff who are pregnant as it has the potential to
cause foetal damage. It is a skin, eye and respiratory tract
irritant. It is moderately toxic. The most detrimental route of
exposure is through ingestion. Acute exposure to the skin and
eyes can cause redness and pain. Inhalation can cause coughing
and shortness of breath. Ingestion causes anorexia, diarrhoea
and hypothermia.
HANDLING and GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Teratogen do not allow staff who are pregnant to handle this
chemical.
Use a fume hood.
Handle with extreme care carcinogen.
Avoid skin and eye contact.
Avoid inhalation.
Avoid ingestion.
Keep away from heat.
Keep the lid tightly closed.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Use a fume hood to avoid inhalation. Wear protective clothing to
avoid skin contact. A long sleeved laboratory coat or gown,
rubber gloves, safety goggles and a face mask as a minimum
standard.
TREATMENTS
Skin immediately wash the affected area with large amounts of
water until all evidence of the chemical has been removed
(approximately 15 minutes). If irritation or pain persist seek
medical attention.
Eyes immediately wash the affected eye with large amounts of
water until all evidence of the chemical has been removed
(approximately 15 minutes). If irritation or pain persist seek
medical attention.
Inhalation remove from the area of exposure to fresh air. If
breathing has ceased apply artificial respiration. Keep warm and
allow to rest. Seek medical advice.
Ingestion wash the mouth with water and give two to four
glasses of water or milk to drink. Do not induce vomiting but
seek immediate medical attention.
STORAGE
Keep tightly closed in a cool, dry atmosphere. Keep away from
heat, strong oxidising agents and incompatible chemicals.
DISPOSAL
WEAR:
Butyl rubber gloves, laboratory coat and self contained
breathing apparatus.
SPILLS:
On skin and clothing: wash skin with strong soap solution
immediately. Rinse thoroughly. Contaminated clothing should be
removed, dried and washed with strong soap solution or
destroyed. It may be necessary to destroy shoes by burning.
Small spills: absorb liquid on paper towels. Brush solids on to
paper. Place in an iron pan and allow evaporation in a fume
hood. Add crumpled paper and burn. Wash spill site with a strong
soap solution.
Large spills: cover with sand and soda ash mixture (90/10). Mix
and shovel into a cardboard box. Pack with a large excess of
crumpled paper. Burn in an open pit or incinerator equipped with
an afterburner and scrubber.
PACKAGE LOTS: Either
1 Pour or sift on to a thick layer of sand and soda ash mixture
(90/10). Mix, and shovel into a heavy paper box with much paper
packaging. Burn in an incinerator. The fire may be augmented
with scrap wood. Stay on the upwind side.
OR
2 Dissolve in a flammable solvent and spray into the firebox of
an incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber.
ENVIRONMENT:
BACK to the
top of the Glossary Contents List
BACK to the top of the
Chemical Contents List