Methylamine and dimethylamine may be formed as metabolites of basic drugs containing N-methyl group.
Can be detected in human breath and increased in certain conditions: e.g. because of amine catabolism increase in diabetes.
It has been reported that transient irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat has resulted from brief exposures to MEthylamine concentrations of 20 to 100 ppm; the odor was intolerable at 100 to 500 ppm. Inhalation of methylamine vapors at concentrations greater than 100 ppm has caused irritation of the nose and throat, followed by violent sneezing, burning sensation of the throat, coughing, constriction of the larynx and difficulty in breathing, pulmonary congestion, and edema of the lungs.