Ethyl acrylate.  Documentation Renata Soćko, Sławomir Czerczak Methyl acrylate. Documentation Renata Soćko, Sławomir Czerczak Diethylamine. Documentation Małgorzata Kupczewska-Dobecka Dimethyl disulfide. Documentation Katarzyna Miranowicz-Dzierżawska Divinylbenzene. Documentation Andrzej Sapota, Anna Kilanowicz 2-Furylmethanol. Documentation Andrzej Starek Acetic acid. Documentation Roman Knapek 4,4’-Methylenodianiline. Documentation Małgorzata Gołofit-Szymczak Pentane and its isomers. Documentation Andrzej Starek Contens of. Nos. 2(40) – 1(43)

Ethyl acrylate.  Documentation
Renata Soćko, Sławomir Czerczak

Ethyl acrylate is a colorless liquid with an acrid odor.
Ethyl acrylate is used to make acrylic resins and as emulsion and solution polymers for surface coating textiles, paper, and leather. It is also used in the production of acrylic fibers, adhesives, and binders. Ethyl acrylate has limited use as a fragrance and flavoring agent.
The acute toxicity of ethyl acrylate for laboratory animals is moderate by all routes of administration. The subcutaneous LD₅₀ for rabbit is 1790 mg/kg, and the oral LD₅₀ for the rat is 1020 mg/kg.
The liquid and vapor phases of ethyl acrylate are irritating to the eyes, the skin and mucous membranes. Pro-longed worker inhalation exposure to ethyl acrylate produced drowsiness, headache, and nausea. Limited data indicate the potential for ethyl acrylate to produce skin sensitization.
Based on animal exposure data of a chronic irritation study we established 20 mg/m³ as the maximum exposure limit value for ethyl acrylate. This value should minimize adverse lacrimation and irritation of the skin and respiratory tract. STEAL value of 40 mg/m³. Because ethyl acrylate has been shown to penetrate the skin in amounts sufficient to induce systemic toxicity, the skin notation is considered appropriate. According to the irritant and sensitized effect of ethyl acrylate we suggest an additional determination with letters "I" and "A".

Methyl acrylate. Documentation
Renata Soćko, Sławomir Czerczak

Methyl acrylate is a clear, colorless, volatile liquid with a persistent acrid odor. An odor threshold of 4.8 ppb has been reported.
Methyl acrylate is used to make acrylic resins and as emulsion and solution polymers for surface coating textiles, paper, and leather. It is also used in the production of acrylic fibers, adhesives, and binders. Methyl acrylate has limited use as a fragrance and flavoring agent. It is used to produce medical and dental prostheses, contact lenses, and other specialty plastics such as latex coatings and floor and fabric finishes.
The acute toxicity of methyl acrylate for laboratory animals is moderate by all routes of administration. The subcutaneous LD₅₀ for rabbits is about 1300 mg/kg, and the oral LD₅₀ for rats is about 300 mg/kg.
The liquid and vapor phases of methyl acrylate are irritating to the eyes, the skin and mucous membranes. Prolonged worker inhalation exposure to methyl acrylate produced drowsiness, headache, and nausea. Limited data indicate the potential for methyl acrylate to produce skin sensitization. Also exposure to methyl acrylate affected blood pressure and respiration in animals at high concentrations, but there has not been any published evidence to support the existence of an acute intoxication syndrome in humans.
Based on a 2-year inhalation study of animals we established 14 mg/m³ as the maximum exposure limit value for methyl acrylate. This value should minimize adverse lacrimation and irritation of the skin and respiratory tract. STEAL value of 28 mg/m³. Because methyl acrylate has been shown to penetrate the skin in amounts sufficient to induce systemic toxicity, the skin notation is considered appropriate. According to the irritant and sensitized effect of methyl acrylate we suggest an additional determination with letters I and A.

Diethylamine. Documentation
Małgorzata Kupczewska-Dobecka

Diethylamine is an alkaline, colourless, volatile liquid with a strong ammoniacal odour. The human olfactory threshold is 0.42 mg/m³. Diethylamine is used in the production of the corrosion inhibitor, and in the production of some pesticides and insect repellents, pharmaceuticals (e.g., the alcohol antagonist disulfiram ANTABUS, flurazepam, lidocaine) and rubber processig chemicals. After a single oral exposure the LD₅₀ was 108 mg/kg body weight in the rat and 130 mg/kg bw in the mouse. After dermal exposure the LD₅₀ was 820 mg/kg bw in rabbits.
Acute DEN exposure produces severe irritation or corrosion to the eyes and skin of laboratory animals and of humans. Irritation was seen in humans exposed to 30 mg/m³. Repeated inhalation exposure to DEN vapour also produces irritation of the upper respiratory tract of rodents. The RD₅₀ was 550 or 606 mg.m³ in the mouse. Using the NIOSH summary report of the pathology seen in this study, 75 mg/m³ was an LOAEL. Based on the LOAEL, an 8-hour TWA value of 15 mg/m³ has been recommended. In order to minimize irritation symptoms, STEL of 30 mg/m³ has been recommended.

Dimethyl disulfide. Documentation
Katarzyna Miranowicz-Dzierżawska

Dimethyl dislufide (DMDS) is a liquid with an unpleasant odor (typical for mercaptanes). It is used in rendering, manufacturing starch, whisky and wood pulp. It can be found in the general environment: in biogenic emissions from soil, in certain fungi, liverstock excretions and it may be formed in improperly stored fish. It is slightly irritating to eyes, the skin and the upper respiratory tract. DMDS administered orally was observed to slightly in-hibit the thyroid activity of rats. It caused a reduction in some liver enzyme activities. It had an influence on CNS.
Based on the toxicity of dimethyl disulfide the following exposure limit values have been proposed: MAC - 2.5 mg/m³, MAC(STEL) - 5 mg/m³.

Divinylbenzene. Documentation
Andrzej Sapota, Anna Kilanowicz

Divinylbenzene (DVB) is a liquid of light straw colour. Technical DVB preparation is a mixture consisting of divinylbenzene and ethylvinylbenzene (EVB) isomers (meta and para). Most frequently both compounds are found in the following stoichiometric mixture: 50 ÷ 60% DVB: 45 ÷ 50% EVB.
Divinylbenzene is a co-monomer for the formation of network polymers. Occupational exposure to divinylbenzene is observed in the rubber industry (in the production of synthetic rubber), in the plastics industry (in the production of polyesters, vinyl polymers and plastics); as well as in the production of pesticides where DVB is used as a stabilizer.
Divinylbenzene is well absorbed by airways and poorly by skin. In workers exposed to DVB, this compound demonstrates a weak irritating effect on the respiratory tract, on the skin and eyes. There is no data on a chronic effect of DVB on humans.
The acute toxicity of divinylbenzene in experimental animals is relatively low. The compound demonstrates a slightly irritating effect on rabbit eyes and in subchronic investigations also a weak irritating effect on the skin. There is no data concerning chronic toxicity. In short-term experiments on mice exposed through inhalation to DVB for a week, apart from degenerative and necrotic lesions in nasal cavity olfactory epithelium, liver cells necrosis and temporary inflammatory changes in renal tubules were demonstrated. DVB did not show any mutagenic action in Ames tests. In available literature no data have been found on embryotoxic, fetotoxic or teratogenic effects of DVB. This compound is not classified by IARC as regards carcinogenic activity. In Poland a MAC value has not been established.
Taking into account the fact that divinylbenzene is found in a mixture with ethylvinylbenzene, the above-mentioned toxic action of DVB concerns a mixture of this compound, whereas there is lack of data on a pure DVB effect. Due to the similarity of DVB to styrene, both structural and concerning metabolism (by reactive epoxides), we suggest accepting the same MAC value for DVB as for styrene, that is 50 mg/m³. The suggested value should protect workers against potential systemic or irritating effects on mucosa. There are no bases for establishing STEL and BEI values.

2-Furylmethanol. Documentation
Andrzej Starek

2-Furylmethanol (2-FM) is a colorless liquid. It is mainly used as an intermediate in the synthesis of furane resin and other organic compounds as well as industrial solvents.
The acute toxicity of 2-FM in laboratory animals is moderate. The oral LD₅₀ in rats is 177-275 mg/kg.
The vapours of 2-FM are irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract in humans and animals. In humans this chemical also exerts a depressive effect on the central nervous system. No mutagenic effect has been found in the relevant toxicological studies. The data on carcinogenic, embriotoxic, fetotoxic and teratogenic effects of 2-FM are not available in toxicological literature.  
The proposed maximum exposure limit (MAC) - 30 mg/m³ and the MAC-STEL - 60 mg/m³ are based on the irritative effects of 2-FM observed in humans.

Acetic acid. Documentation
Roman Knapek

Acetic acid (AA) is a colorless combustible liquid with an acrid odor. AA is used in organic synthesis, in the food industry and in the household. AA is of low toxicity for animals by oral, dermal and inhalative exposure. Depending on the concentration AA can irritate or damage the skin, mucosa and eyes. Chronic exposure to AA can cause chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract, the skin and conjunctiva, and also erosion of tooth enamel. AA concentration up to 25 mg/m3 does not irritate the eyes and the respiratory tract. No chronic, car-cinogenic or mutagenic effects have been found.
The proposed maximum exposure limit MAC (TWA) of 15 mg/m³ is based on the irritating property of AA. AA in a concentration of 65 mg/m³ does not irritate the eyes or nose mucosa.

4,4’-Methylenodianiline. Documentation
Małgorzata Gołofit-Szymczak

4,4’-Methylenodianiline (MDA) are colourless to pale yellow crystalline tan flakes.
MDA has been used for the production of polyurethane, polyamides, azo dyes and elastomers. It is also use as an antioxidant and curative in rubber and corrosion inhibitors.
The major routes for occupational exposure to MDA are dermal, oral and inhalation.
CL₅₀ for MDA, following oral administration in the rat is 335 mg/kg to 830 mg/kg body weight and 200 mg/kg for rabbits after dermal treatment.  
MDA is a hepatotoxic agent. Acute exposure of human to MDA results in liver damage, cholangitis and centrilobular cholestasis. Human effects after chronic exposure are: liver damage, elevated serum alkaline phos-phatase, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and bilirubin.
No case report or epidemiological study are available to evaluate the carcinogenicity of MDA to humans associ-ated with accidental, intentional or occupational exposure to MDA. Carcinogenicity in rats and mice is well established.
Carcinogenic classification - IARC, group 2B - possibly carcinogenic to humans.
The Expert Group has recommended a TLV for 4,4’-methylenodianiline of 0.8 mg/m³ and Skin notation - substance absorbed through the skin - and Ca - probably carcinogenic to human.

Pentane and its isomers. Documentation
Andrzej Starek

Pentane and its isomers (isopentane and neopentane, PI) are colorless, volatile, and inflamable liquids used as foaming and propellant agents, and also as organic solvents.
The data on acute and chronic intoxications by these chemicals in humans have not been found in available literature. In laboratory animals PI are practically nontoxic. At high concentrations these chemicals exert irritative and narcotic effects.
The maximum exposure limit (MAC) of 3000 mg/m³ for PI is recommended to protect against eye and respira-tory tract irritation and depression of the central nervous system. There is no basis for a MAC-STEL value for these chemicals.