O-Anisidine

o-Anisidine (2-anisidine) is a yellow liquid with a melting point of -1 to 5 °C and a density of 1.09 g/cm3. The vapor pressure is 0.05 mbar at 20 °C but increases greatly with temperature. It has an aromatic smell and is well absorbed by inhalation, oral ingestion and skin contact. o-Anisidine is a very toxic agent that causes blood, enzyme and nerve damage with cyanosis and the danger of suffocation. The agent is an experimental carcinogen and is strongly suspected to be a human carcinogen also. o-Anisidine has dangerous pollutant properties for water. Non-wastewaters from the production of dyes containing o-Anisidine are listed as RCRA hazardous waste, with the code K181. o-Anisidine is used in the manufacture of dyes. Workers in the dye industry may be occupationally exposed to it. Acute (short-term) exposure to o-anisidine results in skin irritation in humans. Workers exposed to o-anisidine by inhalation for 6 months developed headaches, vertigo, and effects on the blood. Animal studies have reported effects on the blood from chronic (long-term) dermal exposure to o-anisidine. No information is available on the reproductive, developmental, or carcinogenic effects of o-anisidine in humans. Animal studies have reported tumors of the urinary bladder from oral exposure to o-anisidine. EPA has not classified o-anisidine for carcinogenicity. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified o-anisidine as a Group 2B, possible human carcinogen.