Amines aromatiques

Abstract

Aromatic amines are aromatic hydrocarbons in which at least one hydrogen of the cycle has been replaced by an amine substitute. They are gathered in the same chemical family but their toxicity differs from a compound to the other. Aromatic amines are used in many industries. The general population also can be exposed, from tobacco use or from alimentation. Contamination may be cutaneous, respiratory and digestive. Acute toxic effects can be methemoglobinemia (aniline), hemolytic anaemia, hepatitis (MDA), rhabdomyolysis with renal insufficiency, cardiomyopathy or ocular effects. Chronic effects include irritation, respiratory or cutaneous sensitizing (paraphenylene diamine). Many aromatic amines are known to be human carcinogenic agents (benzidine, 2-naphtylamine). Occupational bladder cancer is the most frequent of the cancers induced by aromatic amines. The industrial use of such carcinogenic aromatic amines is strongly regulated; this regulation includes the ban of the most carcinogenic ones, programs of medical surveillance for occupationally exposed workers.