International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations

VOL.: 57 (1993) (p. 337)
CAS No.: 121-69-7
Chem. Abstr. Name: N,N-Dimethylbenzenamine

5.1 Exposure data

N,N-Dimethylaniline is used as an intermediate in the manufacture of dyes and other products and as a solvent for special purposes, a rubber vulcanizing agent and a stabilizer. It has been detected in ambient water and soil in the vicinity of industrial facilities.

5.2 Human carcinogenicity data

No data were available to the Working Group.

5.3 Animal carcinogenicity data

N,N-Dimethylaniline was tested for carcinogenicity in one study in mice and in one study in rats by gavage. It increased the incidence of forestomach papillomas in female mice. A few splenic sarcomas were observed in treated male rats.

5.4 Other relevant data

The metabolism of N,N-dimethylaniline has been studied in many species and in human tissues. It involves enzymatic N-demethylation, N-oxidation and ring hydroxylation. Aniline is a major metabolite. Chronic methaemoglobinaemia and erythrocyte haemolysis, with concomitant splenomegaly and other pathological lesions characteristic of aniline, were observed in mice and rats treated with N,N-dimethylaniline.

N,N-Dimethylaniline did not induce gene mutation in bacteria or DNA damage in cultured mammalian cells. It induced gene mutation, sister chromatid exchange and chromosomal aberrations in cultured mammalian cells.

5.5 Evaluation

There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of N,N-dimethylaniline.

There is limited evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of N,N-dimethylaniline.

Overall evaluation

N,N-Dimethylaniline is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).

For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.

Synonyms

• (Dimethylamino)benzene
• N,N-dimethylaminobenzene
• Dimethylaniline
• Dimethylphenylamine
• N,N-Dimethylphenylamine

    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations