Toxicity Profile for Trimethylamine and its hydrochloride (1993)

Abstract

Trimethylamine vapour caused eye damage in one individual, and was irritant to the respiratory tract. An aqueous solution has caused skin burning in man and eye damage in rabbits. Trimethylamine was of moderate acute toxicity to rats and mice by the oral and inhalation routes, with the central nervous system being a particular target for attack in laboratory animals given single exposures. In rats, effects on the prostate and seminal vesicles have been reported following repeated oral doses whereas repeated exposure by inhalation resulted in blood effects and, in a Soviet study, damage to the lungs, liver, kidneys and spleen. Ames tests for mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium bacteria were negative. When pregnant mice were treated by repeated intraperitoneal injections of trimethylamine hydrochloride, no foetal abnormalities were reported and foetotoxicity was only observed at maternally toxic doses. Trimethylamine has not been tested for carcinogenicity.