Synonyms: N-α-dimethyl-Benzeneethanamine; (α R)-N-α-dimethyl-Benzeneethanamine; (α S)-N-α-dimethyl-Benzeneethanamine; N-α-dimethyl-Benzeneethanamine hydrochloride

OSHA IMIS Code Number: M315

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 51-57-0 (Benzeneethanamine , N-alpha-dimethyl-, hydrochloride);
537-46-2 (Benzeneethanamine, N-alpha-dimethyl-, (alpha S)-);
7632-10-2 (Benzeneethanamine, N-alpha-dimethyl-);
33817-09-3 (Benzeneethanamine, N-alpha-dimethyl-, (alpha R)-)

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: SH4900000

Chemical Description and Physical Properties:

varies with chemical composition

Potential Symptoms: Insomnia, depression, irritability, paranoia, hallucination; stroke; myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmia; hyperthermia in overdose

Health Effects: Nervous system disturbances (HE7); Chronic (Cumulative) Toxicity---Heart abnormalities; abuse liability (HE3)

Affected Organs: CNS, cardiovascular system

Notes:

1. OSHA does not have a PEL for methamphetamine.
2. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance (21 CFR 1308.12), which is approved by the FDA for the treatment of attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity and exogenous obesity.
3. The mean elimination half-life of methamphetamine was approximately 11 hours by intravenous, intranasal and inhaled (smoked) routes of administration in eight experienced users.
4. Injuries have occurred to first responders (police officers, emergency medical staff, fire fighters) from chemicals used in illicit methamphetamine-producing laboratories, including hydrochloric acid, ammonia, phosphine, and diethyl ether.

Literature Basis:

• Anglin, M.D., Burke, C., Perrochet, B., Stamper, E. and Dawud-Noursi, S.: History of the methamphetamine problem. J. Psychoactive Drugs 32(2): 137-141, 2000.
• Burgess, J.L.: Phosphine exposure from a methamphetamine laboratory investigation. J. Toxicol. Clin. Toxicol. 39(2): 165-168, 2001.
• Fuller, K.: A dangerous business. Occup. Health Saf. 74(9): 188-191, 2005.
• Harris, D.S., Boxenbaum, H., Everhart, E.T., Sequeira, G., Mendelson, J.E. and Jones, R.T.: The bioavailability of intranasal and smoked methamphetamine. Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 74(5): 475-486, 2003.
• Matoba, R.: [Cardiac lesions in methamphetamine abusers.] Nippon Hoigaku Zassi 55(3): 321-330, 2001. (English abstract in PubMed, PMID: 11905041.)
• No author: Public health consequences among first responders to emergency events associated with illicit methamphetamine laboratories --- selected states, 1996-1999. MMWR Weekly 49(45): 1021-1024, 2000.
• Schepers, R.J.F., Oyler, J.M., Joseph, R.E., Jr., Cone, E.J., Moolchan, E.T. and Huestis, M.A.: Methamphetamine and amphetamine pharmacokinetics in oral fluid and plasma after controlled oral methamphetamine administration to human volunteers. Clin. Chem. 49(1): 121-132, 2003.
• Uemura, K., Sorimachi, Y., Yashiki, M. and Yoshida, K.: Two fatal cases involving concurrent use of methamphetamine and morphine. J. Forensic Sci. 48(5): 1179-1181, 2003.

Date Last Revised: 04/13/2006

On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:

• note: On-site surface sampling test kits are commercially available. OSHA neither endorses these kits nor recommends their use. The effectiveness and applicability of these kits are the responsibility of the user.

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