Also known as N-Methylmethanamine and DMA, this biogenic (aliphatic) amine can be detected in the urine of humans and other mammals; it is produced in the metabolism of choline and choline-containing phosphatides and has strongly ammoniacal odor that could be also fish-like. Urinary excretion in humans is increased after eating certain fish, meat, dairy, and grains containing dimethylamine. The German cockroach (smaller species) utilizes dimethylamine as a pheromone for communication. Dimethylamine is used in leather tanning and as an accelerator in the manufacturing of rubber, detergents, and pesticides.
Odor threshold is 1.6 ppm, irritation may occur at 5 ppm or higher. Exposure Routes are via inhalation, skin and/or eye contact. Symptoms range from irritation of nose and throat; sneezing, cough, dyspnea (breathing difficulty); pulmonary edema; conjunctivitis; dermatitis; liquid: frostbite.
Because of its good solubility in lipids, dimethylamine is readily and rapidly absorbed in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts and acts as a central nervous system depressant. Concentrated dimethylamine vapors are highly irritating to mucous membranes. There is no evidence of carcinogenic potential.
Odor threshold is 1.6 ppm, irritation may occur at 5 ppm or higher. Exposure Routes are via inhalation, skin and/or eye contact. Symptoms range from irritation of nose and throat; sneezing, cough, dyspnea (breathing difficulty); pulmonary edema; conjunctivitis; dermatitis; liquid: frostbite.
Because of its good solubility in lipids, dimethylamine is readily and rapidly absorbed in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts and acts as a central nervous system depressant. Concentrated dimethylamine vapors are highly irritating to mucous membranes. There is no evidence of carcinogenic potential.
