TRIMETHYLAMINE

Chemical Identification
CAS #	75-50-3
Formula	C₃H₉N
Synonyms	N,N-dimethylmethanamine; TMA [Note: May be used in an aqueous solution (typically 25%, 30%, or 40% TMA.]

Physical Properties
Physical description	Colorless gas with a fishy, amine odor.
Boiling point	37.2°F	Molecular weight	59.11
Freezing point/melting point	-179°F	Vapor pressure	1454 mmHg at 70°F
Flash point		Vapor density	2.09
Specific gravity	0.633 at 68°F	Ionization potential
Lower explosive limit (LEL)	2.0%	Upper explosive limit (UEL)	11.6%
NFPA health rating	3	NFPA fire rating	4
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.)	T127
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		REL-TWA	10 ppm (24 mg/m³)	TLV-TWA	5 ppm [2012]	PEL-TWA	5 ppm (12 mg/m³)
PEL-STEL		REL-STEL	15 ppm (36 mg/m³)	TLV-STEL	15 ppm [2012]	PEL-STEL	15 ppm (36 mg/m³)
PEL-C		REL-C		TLV-C		PEL-C
Skin notation	NA	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N
Notes: Not established		Notes:		Notes:		Notes:
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH
Carcinogenic classifications: Not listed		Notes:
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3: 0.1/100 ppm/500 ppm

Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Trimethylamine, anhydrous

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Trimethylamine

Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Trimethylamine, aqueous solution.
ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Trimethylamine. See annual publication for most recent information.
Cashman, J.R., et al.: Biochemical and clinical aspects of the human flavin-containing monooxygenase form 3 (FMO3) related to trimethylaminuria. Curr. Drug Metab. 4(2): 151-170, 2003.
Amoore, J.E. and Forrester, L.J.: Specific anosmia to trimethylamine: the fishy primary odor. J. Chem. Ecology 2(1): 49-56, 1976.
Fluhr, J.W., et al.: Additive impairment of the barrier function and irritation by biogenic amines and sodium lauryl sulphate: a controlled in vivo tandem irritation study. Skin Pharmacol. Physiol. 18(2): 88-97, 2005.
Kenyon, S., et al.: The passage of trimethylamine across rat and human skin. Food Chem. Toxicol. 42(10): 1619-1628, 2004.
Mitchell, S.C. and Smith, R.L.: Trimethylamine and odorous sweat. J. Inherit. Metab. Dis. 26(4): 415-416, 2003.
Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Trimethylamine. Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 2275-2277.
Shimizu, M., Cashman, J.R. and Yamazaki, H.: Transient trimethylaminuria related to menstruation. BMC Med. Genet. 8: 2, 2007.

Last Updated Date : 07/13/2021

TRIMETHYLAMINE

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References