Aziridine

Direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Administrative data

Endpoint:

direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Accidental exposure.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Accidental Exposure to Ethylenimine and N-Ethylethylenimine Vapors

Author:

Weightman J, Hoyle JP

Year:

1964

Bibliographic source:

JAMA 189: 543-545.

Materials and methods

Study type:

poisoning incident

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Aziridine

EC Number:

205-793-9

EC Name:

Aziridine

Cas Number:

151-56-4

Molecular formula:

C2H5N

IUPAC Name:

aziridine

Method

Type of population:

other: students

Subjects:

- Number of subjects exposed: 5
- Sex: male
- Age: young

Ethical approval:

not applicable

Route of exposure:

inhalation

Reason of exposure:

accidental

Details on exposure:

The subjects were exposed to approximately 20 g of ethylenimine as well as other substances: N-ethylethylenimine, ammonia and isopentane.

Examinations:

- Urine analysis: daily urinalyses
- Haematology: blood counts, blood urea
- Lung function parameters: yes
- Other: Electrocardiograms (ECG), chest x-rays, nitrogen (BUN), serum electrolytes (Na, Cl, K), carbon dioxide combining power (C02), and serum
glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT): yes

Medical treatment:

Treatment consisted of a compound of hydrocortisone acetate and neomysin sulfate (Neo-Cortef), decongestants, antihistamine expectorant, and anti-inflammatory enzyme therapy. Hydration included large amounts of orange juice and carbonated beverages.
In one patient, antibiotics and intermittent positive-pressure treatments were added to the regime.

Results and discussion

Clinical signs:

Lacrimation, irritation of the eyes, vomiting and coughing, soreness of the throat, inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.

Results of examinations:

- Urine analysis: mild albuminuria with a few red cells in the urine
- Haematology: early hemoconcentration, manifested by hemoglobin increases up to 20 gm; sporadic eosinophilic response during the first two weeks
- Lung function parameters: timed vital capacity showed impairment in 4 patients but all chest x-rays were normal.
- Other: macular eruptions, presumably due to drugs used in therapy, suggesting that sensitization was increased by the chemical vapors; elevated cephalin flocculation tests by the tenth day indicating some inflammatory effect on the liver; electrocardiographic changes; the eyes and upper
respiratory system of each patient exhibited extensive inflammatory reaction; corrosive burn ulcération of the vocal cords in one patient and of the nasal cavity in other patient
No corneal ulcerations were found and no permanent visual impairment was encountered.

Effectivity of medical treatment:

Hemoglobin increases returned to normal limits within one week.
The eyes and upper respiratory system of each patient exhibited extensive inflammatory reaction which required several months for recovery.
Patients 4 and 5 showed improvement, but not normal results, in timed vital capacity at the end of three months as well as residual inflammation of the conjunctivae.

Outcome of incidence:

Three-month followup revealed apparent complete recovery in patients 1, 2, and 3.
Patients 3, 4 and 5 were unable to continue academic work for one semester because of ocular inflammation.

Any other information on results incl. tables

No more available data on the results.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

Exposure to ethyleneimine causes conjunctivitis, upper and lower respiratory tract inflammation, transitory polycythemia, leukocytosis, eosinophilia, and albuminuria.

Executive summary:

Five college students in Lewisburg, were accidentally exposed to two highly toxic chemicals, ethylenimine and N-ethylethylenimine, for two hours in a poorly ventilated fraternity-house room. Their complaints, delayed in onset from 3 to 7 1/2 hours after exposure, were severe soreness of the throat, severe eye irritation, vomiting, and coughing. Consistent clinical findings were conjunctivitis, upper and lower respiratory tract inflammation, transitory polycythemia, leukocytosis, eosinophilia, and albuminuria. Treatment included antihistamines, hydration, topical and systemic steroids, antibiotics, cough preparations, and enzyme therapy. All five students were free of symptoms within six months.