TRIETHYLAMINE | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

TRIETHYLAMINE†

Chemical Identification
CAS #	121-44-8
Formula	C₆H₁₅N
Synonyms	diethylaminoethane; N,N-diethylaminoethane; TEA

Physical Properties
Physical description	Colorless liquid with a strong, ammonia-like odor.
Boiling point	193°F	Molecular weight	101.22
Freezing point/melting point	-175°F	Vapor pressure	54 mmHg
Flash point	20°F	Vapor density	3.48
Specific gravity	0.73	Ionization potential	7.50 eV
Lower explosive limit (LEL)	1.2%	Upper explosive limit (UEL)	8%
NFPA health rating	3	NFPA fire rating	3
NFPA reactivity rating	0	NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)	2480
Sampling group
Sampler/Sampling media	XAD-7 tube (80/40 mg) coated with phosphoric acid [SKC 226-98]
Sampling time^*	100 min
Sampling volume (TWA)^*	10 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)^*	0.1 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Analytical method instruments	GC-FID
Method reference	OSHA PV2060 (partially validated)
Notes
Special requirements

^* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)

**Exposure Limits**
OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak		NIOSH REL Up to 10-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		ACGIH TLV© 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		CAL/OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak
PEL-TWA	25 ppm (100 mg/m³)	REL-TWA		TLV-TWA	0.5 ppm [2014]	PEL-TWA
PEL-STEL		REL-STEL		TLV-STEL	1 ppm [2014]	PEL-STEL
PEL-C		REL-C		TLV-C		PEL-C	1 ppm (4.1 mg/m³)
Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	Y	Skin notation	Y
Notes: See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1.		Notes: See Appendix D - Substances with No Established RELs.		Notes:		Notes:
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH	200 ppm
Carcinogenic classifications: TLV-A4		Notes:
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:

Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Triethylamine

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Triethylamine

Literature References

ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Triethylamine. See annual publication for most recent information.
Åkesson, B., Skerfving, S. and Mattiasson, L.: Experimental study on the metabolism of triethylamine in man. Br. J. Ind. Med.. 45(4): 262-268, 1988.
Åkesson, B., Vinge, E. and Skerfving, S.: Pharmacokinetics of triethylamine and triethylamine-n-oxide in man. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 100(3): 529-538, 1989.
Ballantyne, B.: Glaucopsia: an occupational ophthalmic hazard. Toxicol. Rev. 23(2): 83-90, 2004.
Järvinen, P.: Headache and blood pressure among triethylamine-exposed foundry workers. Occup. Med. (Lond.) 48(2): 113-117, 1998.
Järvinen, P., Engström, K., Riihimäki, V., Ruusuvaara, P. and Setälä, K.: Effects of experimental exposure to triethylamine on vision and the eyes. Occup. Environ. Med. 56(1): 1-5, 1999.
Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Triethylamine. In, Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 2267-2269.

Last Updated Date : 07/13/2021

TRIETHYLAMINE†

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References