Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS)

m-Phenylenediamine

Sensitiser notice: Some substances can cause a specific immune response in some people. Such substances are called sensitisers and the development of a specific immune response is termed `sensitisation'. Exposure to a sensitiser, once sensitisation has occurred, may manifest itself as a skin rash or inflammation or as an asthmatic condition, and in some individuals this reaction can be extremely severe. See Chapter 12: Guidance Note on the Interpretation of Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment, published by Worksafe Australia.

Skin absorption notice: Absorption through the skin may be a significant source of exposure. See Chapter 11 of the Guidance Note on the Interpretation of Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment, published by Worksafe Australia.

No standard should be applied without reference to Guidance on the interpretation of Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants.

Documentation notice. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), Documentation of Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices, 6th Edition, ACGIH, Cincinatti, Ohio, 1991

Note: This exposure standard is adopted from the ACGIH TLVs list. Readers should referto the relevant ACGIH documentation⁽¹⁾ for substantiation of this value. The Exposure Standards Working Grouphas recommended that m-phenylenediamine be designated as a sensitiser based on the information provided inthe ACGIH documentation. Moreover, after detailed review of the relevant literature the Working Group is ofthe view that the substance can be absorbed through the skin in a significant amount.

1. SKIN ABSORPTION

Lam et al ⁽²⁾ found using a radiolabeled isotope that significant skin absorption was observed in rats, similar to other aromatic amines. The Working Group recommends that skin notation be included since skin absorption may be a significant source of exposure.

2. RECOMMENDATION

After reviewing the relevant data, the Working Group is of the view that there is sufficient indication for the substance to be designated with the skin notation. The reader is encouraged to review the Guidance Note on the Interpretation of Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment for a more detailed discussion of skin notation.

1. ACGIH, Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices, 6th ed, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1991.

2. Lam, H.R., and Bisgaard, H.C., 'Percutaneous absorption, biotransformation, retention and excretion of 1,3-diaminobenzene in the rat', Food and Chemical Toxicology, 27, 741-749, 1989.

Documentation notice:
Documentation for the majority of substances can be found in the American Conference of Governmental Indistrial Hygienists' (ACGIH) documentation of the threshold limit values and biological exposure indices - users should refer to the ACGIH documentation cited.