The acute toxicity and primary irritancy of N-benzyl-N,N-dimethylamine

N-Benzyl-N,N-dimethylamine (BDMA), a polyester foam catalyst, was determined to have LD50 values of 0.65 (0.48-0.88) ml/kg perorally in the rat, and 1.66 (1.35-2.04) ml/kg by 24-hr occluded dermal contact in rabbits. The Lt50 for saturated vapor atmosphere exposure of rats was 35.4 min, and the 4-hr LC50 was 373 (311-447) ppm for rats and mice. Histological examination of the respiratory tract of animals exposed to BDMA concentrations of 277 ppm or higher revealed acute inflammatory changes in the nasal mucosa and pulmonary congestion. Unoccluded skin contact with 0.01 ml undiluted BDMA in rabbits produced moderate local erythema and edema. A 4-hr occluded contact resulted in local necrosis. Severe eye irritancy was produced by 0.005 ml undiluted BDMA and 0.5 ml 5% BDMA in propylene glycol; 1% BDMA was nonirritant to the eye. BDMA should be regarded as an acutely hazardous material by all routes of exposure.