Triethylamine

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Skin irritation: BASF-Test "Industrial hygiene orientating investigation", report Nr. VI/389, 1960. The study is comparable to the OECD guideline 404. Rabbits, occlusive, undiluted, 1, 5, 15 min.
Eye irritation: BASF Test "Industrial hygiene orientating investigation", report Nr. VI/389, 1960. The study is comparable to the OECD Guideline 405. Rabbits, 50 µL.
Respiratory irritation: F. Gagnaire et al., 1989. Nasal Irritation and Pulmonary Toxicity of Aliphatic Amines in Mice. Journal of Applied Toxicology, Vol. 9(5), 301-304 (1989). Nasal exposed , Range of exposure concentrations 77-305 ppm.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Skin irritation / corrosion

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

adverse effect observed (corrosive)

Eye irritation

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

adverse effect observed (irritating)

Respiratory irritation

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

adverse effect observed (irritating)

Additional information

Skin irritation

In the BASF skin irritation study (BASF, 1960), triethylamine was applied to the rabbit skin under occlusive condition for 1, 5 and 15 min. The animals were observed for 26 days. 1 min of exposure caused full thickness necrosis. The 24 -72 h scores revealed edema with necrosis. Triethylamine was corrosive to the rabbit skin. In a supporting study (Springborn Laboratories, 1989) similar effects in treated animals were observed. Meyers and Ballantyne exposed male rabbits dermally to small volume of triethylamine (0.01 mL) under uncovered conditions and to large volume (0.5 mL) occlusively during 4 hours. After 18 -24 hours unoccluded contact with small volume test material produced moderately erythema without necrosis. However, severe irritation with necrosis was recorded at the end of the 4 -h contact period and at 24 and 48 h following contact when dosed with large volumes under occlusive conditions.

Eye irritation

In the BASF eye irritation study (BASF, 1960), triethylamine was applied to rabbit eyes. The observations were recorded after 10 min, 1 and 3 hours. Thereafter, the animals were observed up to 19th day. Severe ocular injury was observed in rabbits treated with 0.050 mL undiluted triethylamine. Irreversible effects occurred after 10 min of exposure. Meyers and Ballantyne tested 0.005 mL of triethylamine on rabbit eyes (Meyers and Ballantyne, 1997). After 18 -24 hours the following observations were reported: severe corneal opacity, iritis, necrosis and hemorrhage of the eyelids, and chemosis. Similar findings were observed in the old studies. A corneal opacity and severe conjunctival inflammations with following necrosis developed promptly if 0.1 mL triethylamine was applied to the rabbit eyes. The effects persisted through several days and appeared to be not reversible (refer to eye irritation endpoints of the IUCLID file).

Respiratory irritation

In nasal irritation and pulmonary toxicity study of 20 aliphatic amines in mice, Gagnaire et al. (1989) exposed mice to airborne TEA to determine the RD50 value. This value indicates 50% decrease in the respiratory rate and is considered to be successfully used to predict safe industrial exposure. Mice were exposed nasal to a range of concentrations of triethylamine. The breathing frequency was used as an index of upper respiratory tract irritation. The onset of action of TEA was very rapid, ca. 30 sec. to 1 min. 156 ppm of TEA was determined as RD50 in mice. The tested concentrations produced a range of effects, whose severity was concentration dependent. At the end of a 15 -min exposure period, the recovery of respiratory frequencies to the pre-exposure values was also rapid, ca.1 min. Due to the rapid recovery of respiratory frequency in mice, triethylamine is considered to be moderately irritating to the upper respiratory and lower respiratory tract. The predicted safe levels to prevent upper airway irritation should not exceed 15 ppm for TEA. The effects of TEA were reversible in non-cannulated mice, but irreversible in tracheally cannulated mice (effects on the lower airways, can culminate in pulmonary congestion).

Effects on skin irritation/corrosion: corrosive

Effects on eye irritation: corrosive

Effects on respiratory irritation: highly irritating

Justification for classification or non-classification

Due to corrosive effects of TEA observed in treated animals in irritation studies, classification is warranted according to the criteria of EU Directive 67/548/EEC and EU Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP) Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008:

According to GHS:Skin corr. Cat.1A; Eye damage Cat.1; STOT-SE Cat.3, respiratory irritating

According to DSD:C, R35 Corrosive; Causes severe burns.