3-dimethylaminopropiononitrile

Exposure related observations in humans: other data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

exposure-related observations in humans: other data

Type of information:

other: review

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Acceptable, well documented publication

Data source

Reference

Reference 1

Reference Type:

review article or handbook

Title:

Classical Syndromes in Occupational Medicine: Dimethylaminopropionitrile

Author:

Keogh J.P.

Year:

1983

Bibliographic source:

American Journal of Industrial Medicine 4 :479-489 (1983)

Reference 2

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Follow-up studies of workers with bladder neuropathy caused by exposure to dimethylaminopropionitrile

Author:

Baker E.L. et al.

Year:

1981

Bibliographic source:

Scand j work environ health 7 (1981): suppl 4, 54-59

Reference 3

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

An epidemic of urinary retention caused by dimethylaminopropionitrile

Author:

Keogh JP, Pestronk A, Wertheimer DS, Moreland R

Year:

1980

Bibliographic source:

J Am Med Assoc 243 :746-749

Reference 4

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Neurologic dysfunction of the bladder in workers exposed to dimethylaminopropionitrile

Author:

Kreiss K, Wegman D, Niles CA, Siroky MB, Krane RJ, Feldman RG

Year:

1980

Bibliographic source:

J Am Med Assoc 243:741-745

Reference 5

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Dimethylaminopropionitrile

Author:

Pestronk A, Keogh JP, Griffin JW

Year:

1980

Bibliographic source:

In Spencer PS, Schaumberg HH (eds) : "Experimental and Clinical Neurotoxicology ." Baltimore : Williams & Wilkins, pp 422-430

Materials and methods

Type of study / information:

Review of two epidemiological cases, description of findings and mechanism of toxicity

Endpoint addressed:

toxicity to reproduction / fertility

neurotoxicity

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Review of two epidemiological cases, description of findings and mechanism of toxicity

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

3-dimethylaminopropiononitrile

EC Number:

217-090-4

EC Name:

3-dimethylaminopropiononitrile

Cas Number:

1738-25-6

Molecular formula:

C5H10N2

IUPAC Name:

3-(dimethylamino)propanenitrile

Method

Ethical approval:

not applicable

Results and discussion

Results:

Clinical presentation
Urinary retention was the predominant symptom in exposed workers (hesitancy, decreased stream, and the need to strain to pass urine). Impotence and decreased libido were the next most striking findings. Frequency of neurological symptoms (irritability, insomnia, muscle weakness and paresthesias in hands or feet) depends on exposure time. Most patients complained of difficulty in voiding as an initial complaint, followed by loss of libido and by insomnia and irritability. Nerve condition tests showed mild slowing in several patients. Blood and urine from patients showed no patterns of abnormalities.

Long-term effects
Two years after initial illness, there were persistent symptoms of urinary retention in 7 of 11 patients, loss of libido or impotence in 5, and weakness and paresthesias in 5. Three patients had signs of neurologic dysfunction in the lower extremities.
Sacral latencies had returned to normal in the three patients in which they had initially been prolonged. Two individuals had persisting abnormal cystometrograms. A number of individuals exposed in one of two studied plants had persisting symptoms of sexual and bladder dysfunction, irritability, and insomnia. While a majority of those exposed experienced prompt symptomatic recovery, some individuals had clearly permanent changes in bladder and peripheral nerve function.

Any other information on results incl. tables

Dimethylaminopropionitrile, used as a catalyst in the manufacture of polyurethane, was responsible for two epidemics of urinary retention, sexual dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy in 1978. Most affected workers recovered promptly, but some have had persisting neuropathy, sexual and bladder dysfunction, and CNS symptoms.