2-Propenenitrile, reaction products with ethylenediamine, hydrogenated

Endpoint summary

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Effects on fertility

Description of key information

No data available.

Effect on fertility: via oral route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Effect on fertility: via inhalation route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Effect on fertility: via dermal route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Additional information

Exposure based adaptation of information requirements:

According to REGULATION (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex IX and Annex X, reproductive toxicity testing (section 8.7) may be omitted, if relevant human exposure can be excluded in accordance with Annex XI section 3. Furthermore and in accordance with section 3.2 (b) of Annex XI (as amended by Regulation 134/2009), testing for reproductive toxicity can be omitted when the substance is not incorporated in an article and the manufacturer can demonstrate and document for all relevant scenarios that throughout the life cycle strictly controlled as well as rigorously contained conditions as set out in Article 18(4)(a) to (f) (Regulation 1907/2006) apply.

 

Life-cycle stage(s) covered:

1.Production of crude N3/N4-amine-mix (PROCs 3, 8b, 15)

2.Polymerisation to polyamide solution (PROC 1)

3.Distillation to obtain N3- and N4-amine (PROC 3)

 

Classification:

H302: Harmful if swallowed.

H311: Toxic in contact with skin.

H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.

H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction.

H334: May cause allergy or asthma symptoms of breathing difficulties if inhaled.

The substance is harmful after single ingestion and toxic after a single dermal application. Additionally, the substance is considered corrosive to skin as well as the eyes and capable causing skin sensitising effects. Based on the bacterial reverse mutation assay, the HPRT assay, and the CA test the test substance is not considered to induce gene mutations neither in the absence nor in the presence of a metabolic activation system. Due to the contamination with the reaction educt ethylenediamine (CAS 107-15-3), the mixture is also classified as respiratory sensitiser.

 

Process description:

Ethylenediamine (EDA, CAS 107-15-3) and acrylonitrile (CAS107-13-1) aretransferred via closed pipelines to the reactor. After the temperature controlled reaction is completed, the produced Nitrile/EDA-mixture is transferred via a closed dedicated pipeline to a buffer tank, where the mixture of 6-7 of these batches is stored until enough material is collected for one hydrogenation batch. It takes less than 24 h to complete 6-7 of these batches. Sampling is not required for this process step; the reactor can immediately be used for the next reaction batch.

The Nitrile/EDA-mixture is transferred from the buffer tank via a closed dedicated pipeline to a hydrogenation reactor, containing a suspension catalyst, where the mixture is hydrogenated until no more hydrogen is consumed. A sample is drawn from the system to confirm in-spec hydrogenation in the laboratory (Deadman’s handle at sampling valves). Thereafter, the crude N3/N4-amine reaction-mixture is transferred through a pipeline and a filter with filter cartridges to the storage tank. The filter avoids the carry-over of the suspended catalyst to the storage tank.

It is not necessary to remove the filter cartridges after the transfer from the system. The solids (catalyst) in the filter cartridges are blown-back with nitrogen into the hydrogenation reactor. In a consecutive cleaning step the filter cartridges are rinsed in situ with hot water and steam, which are collected in a “cleaning tank”. The contents of this tank are periodically distilled to recover the product, which the aqueous washing fluid still contains.

At the end of their service life, when the filter cartridges need to be replaced by new ones, extended rinsing with water is applied until the cartridges are free of product. The washing water is collected in the “cleaning tank”; the old cartridges are replaced by new ones.

At the end of the service life of the catalyst, it is washed inside the hydrogenation reactor thoroughly and repeatedly with water. The washing water is transferred through an own dedicated pipeline to the same “cleaning tank” as mentioned above. After the lab confirmed that the catalyst is free of product, the aqueous catalyst suspension is transferred via installed hoses into a container and disposed. The entire process is designed to avoid open handling of either catalyst, product or washing fluids.  

The process is operated discontinuously at elevated temperature. The reactor is located outdoors. Due to the closed system, exposure to workers will not take place under normal operation conditions.

Thereafter, 2-propenenitrile, reaction products with ethylenediamine, hydrogenated (N3/N4-amine mixture) is transported from the storage tank to the reactor via a closed dedicated pipeline to the plant next door and directly injected into the chemical reactor. In this reactor a chemical reaction of the mixture with adipic acid (condensation) under addition of water to aqueous polyamide solution (60%) takes place.

This reaction step is a discontinuous production process and takes place under closed conditions.

For the distillation process the crude mixture of N3/N4-amine is transferred from the storage tank to the distillation plant via a closed dedicated pipeline and directly injected into the distillation recipient.

Transfers, buffer/storage tanks, reactors, processing equipment and feeds are operated in fully closed systems. Additionally, only a small, well-defined and trained group of workers will perform occasionally sampling tasks for quality control under strictly control conditions.

 

Rigorous containment measures:

The substance is manufactured and used under strictly controlled conditions over the entire lifecycle. Exposure is limited to occasional sampling tasks for quality control, as well as to charging and discharging processes. Transport, storage tanks, reactors, processing equipment, and feeds operate in fully closed systems.

 

Procedural and control technologies are used to minimise residual emissions/exposure as well as qualitative risk considerations:

Operational and technical conditions and measures affecting and controlling workers exposure, such as local exhaust ventilation as well as personal protective equipment, such as goggles, chemically resistant gloves, and respiratory protection where potential exposure may occur as reported in the CSR are followed (see chapters 9 & 10).

 

On the basis of the described process conditions, testing of 2-Propenenitrile, reaction products with ethylenediamine, hydrogenated in a Pre-natal Developmental Toxicity Study (OECD 414) as well as an Extended One-Generation Reproductive Toxicity Study (OECD 443) was not performed since the criteria of exposure based adaptation of information requirements are met.

Short description of key information:
No data available.

Effects on developmental toxicity

Description of key information

No data available.

Effect on developmental toxicity: via oral route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Effect on developmental toxicity: via inhalation route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Effect on developmental toxicity: via dermal route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Additional information

See discussion on "Effects on Fertility".