Propylene imine

CAS number: 75–55–8

NIOSH REL: 2 ppm (5 mg/m³) TWA [skin]; NIOSH considers propylene imine to be a potential occupational carcinogen as defined by the OSHA carcinogen policy [29 CFR 1990].

Current OSHA PEL: 2 ppm (5 mg/m³) TWA [skin]

1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 2 ppm (4.7 mg/m³) TWA [skin], A2

Description of substance: Colorless, oily liquid with an ammonia-like odor.

LEL: . Unknown

Original (SCP) IDLH: 500 ppm

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statements by Patty [1963] that 5 of 6 rats died from a 4-hour exposure to 500 ppm and 3 of 5 guinea pigs died from a 2-hour exposure to 500 ppm; at 500 ppm, rats survived a 2-hour exposure, and guinea pigs survived a 30-minute exposure [Carpenter et al. 1948].

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 G. pig G. pig G. pig Rat	Carpenter et al. 1949 Carpenter et al. 1948 Carpenter et al. 1948 Carpenter et al. 1948 Carpenter et al. 1948	----- LC17 : 500 LC60 : 500 LC100: 500 LC83 : 500	500 ----- ----- ----- -----	4 hr 1 hr 2 hr 4 hr 4 hr	1,000 ppm (2.0) 625 ppm (1.25) 800 ppm (1.6) 1,000 ppm (2.0) 1,000 ppm (2.0)	100 ppm 63 ppm 80 ppm 100 ppm 100 ppm

Other animal data: It has been reported that rats survived a 2-hour exposure to 500 ppm and guinea pigs survived a 30-minute exposure to 500 ppm [Carpenter et al. 1948].

Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.

Revised IDLH: 100 ppm Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for propylene imine is 100 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in animals [Carpenter et al. 1948, 1949]. [Note: NIOSH recommends as part of its carcinogen policy that the "most protective" respirators be worn for propylene imine at concentrations above 2 ppm.]

REFERENCES:

1. Carpenter CP, Smyth HF Jr, Pozzani UC [1949]. The assay of acute vapor toxicity, and the grading and interpretation of results on 96 chemical compounds. J Ind Hyg Toxicol 31:343-346.

2. Carpenter CP, Smyth HF Jr, Shaffer CB [1948]. The acute toxicity of ethylene imine to small animals. J Ind Hyg Toxicol 30:2-6.

3. Patty FA, ed. [1963]. Industrial hygiene and toxicology. 2nd rev. ed. Vol. II. Toxicology. New York, NY: Interscience Publishers, Inc., p. 2175.