DIMETHYLAMINE, ANHYDROUS

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
4 3 0	Health	3	Can cause serious or permanent injury.
	Flammability	4	Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature.
	Instability	0	Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
	Special

A colorless gas smelling of fish at low concentrations and of ammonia at higher concentrations. Shipped as a liquid under its vapor pressure. Contact with the unconfined liquid can cause frostbite by evaporative cooling and chemical type burns. The gas, which is corrosive, dissolves readily in water to form flammable corrosive solutions. The gas is heavier than air and can asphyxiate by the displacement of air. Gas is easily ignited and produces toxic oxides of nitrogen when burned. Long-term inhalation of low concentrations or short-term inhalation of low concentrations has adverse health effects. Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket. Used to make other chemicals and as a solvent.

• Highly Flammable

Highly flammable. Water soluble.

FLAMMABLE. Flashback along vapor trail may occur. May explode if ignited in an enclosed area. Vapors are eye, skin and respiratory irritants. (USCG, 1999)

VAPOR: Irritating to eyes, nose and throat. If inhaled, will cause difficult breathing. LIQUID. Will burn skin and eyes. Harmful if swallowed. (USCG, 1999)

DIMETHYLAMINE is a base, neutralizing acids in exothermic reactions, and a reducing agent. It is temperature sensitive. Reacts vigorously with mercury and chlorine (NTP, 1992). Reacts violently with strong oxidizing agents and attacks copper and copper compounds [Handling Chemicals Safely, 1980 p. 123]. Reacts with hypochlorites to give N-chloroamines, some of which are explosives when isolated [Bretherick, 1979 p. 108].

• Amines, Phosphines, and Pyridines

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbent listed below.

• Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents

Excerpt from ERG Guide 118 [Gases - Flammable - Corrosive]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 118 [Gases - Flammable - Corrosive]:

DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical or CO2.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 118 [Gases - Flammable - Corrosive]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Dimethylamine:

Skin:
• PREVENT SKIN CONTACT (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.
• FROSTBITE - Compressed gases may create low temperatures when they expand rapidly. Leaks and uses that allow rapid expansion may cause a frostbite hazard. Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent the skin from becoming frozen.

Eyes:
• PREVENT EYE CONTACT (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.
• FROSTBITE - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact with the liquid that could result in burns or tissue damage from frostbite.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, the worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.

Provide:
• EYEWASH (LIQUID) - Eyewash fountains should be provided (when this chemical is in liquid form) in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection.
• QUICK DRENCH (LIQUID) - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided (when this chemical is in liquid form) within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.]
• FROSTBITE WASH - Quick drench facilities and/or eyewash fountains should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is any possibility of exposure to liquids that are extremely cold or rapidly evaporating. (NIOSH, 2024)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Dimethyl amine	124-40-3	Vapor				>480	>480	>480		>480

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2024)

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: CAUTION: Exposure of skin to compressed gases may result in freezing of the skin. Treatment for frostbite may be necessary. Remove the victim from the source of contamination. IMMEDIATELY wash affected areas gently with COLD water (and soap, if necessary) while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Dry carefully with clean, soft towels. If symptoms such as inflammation or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician or go to a hospital for treatment.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: This compound is a gas, therefore inhalation is the first route of exposure. (NTP, 1992)

• DIMETHYLAMINE
• DIMETHYLAMINE (ANHYDROUS)
• DIMETHYLAMINE, ANHYDROUS
• DIMETHYLAMINE, [ANHYDROUS]
• METHANAMINE, N-METHYL
• METHANAMINE, N-METHYL-
• METHYLAMINES (DI-)
• N-METHYLMETHANAMINE