Ethanol, 2-[(2-aminoethyl)amino] - information sheet

AEEA
CAS Registry Number 111-41-1

Publications summarized:

The Government of Canada conducts risk assessments of substances under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) to determine whether they present or may present a risk to human health or to the environment.
- The risks posed by a substance are determined by both its hazardous properties (potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount or extent to which people or the environment are exposed.
- When needed, the Government implements risk management measures under CEPA and other federal acts to help prevent or reduce potential harm.
The Government concluded that AEEA is not harmful to human health or to the environment at levels of exposure considered in the assessment.
AEEA may have hazardous properties; however, the risk to people in Canada is considered to be low. The preventative actions and risk reduction section below provides links on where to find updates on activities.

The assessment focused on the substance ethanol, 2-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]-, also referred to as AEEA. This substance was assessed as part of the Internationally Classified Substance Grouping of the Substance Groupings Initiative of the CMP.
AEEA is an industrial chemical that does not occur naturally in the environment.
According to information gathered by the Government, in Canada, AEEA is used mainly as a compound from which other compounds are made (chemical intermediate), but can also be used as a curing agent for epoxy resins; in commercial building materials; as a component of adhesives and sealants used in asphalt paving or patching; as a component in super glues and corrosion inhibitors; as a lubricant additive; and as an additive for cooling systems.
AEEA can be used in the manufacture of surfactants with wide-ranging applications, such as lubricating fluids, industrial detergents, fabric softeners and cosmetics.
AEEA may also be used in the manufacture of food packaging materials with no direct contact with food.

The assessment indicated that the potential for exposure of people in Canada to AEEA from the environment is expected to be minimal. Also, people in Canada are not expected to be exposed to AEEA through food consumption or the use of products available to consumers.
The assessment also indicated that AEEA releases were expected to be limited, and expected to mainly occur during handling of AEEA in industrial processes to prepare other chemicals.

The important or critical effects used to characterize the risk to human health in the assessment were developmental and reproductive effects.
Also, AEEA has a low to moderate potential to cause toxic effects in aquatic organisms.

Based upon the information presented in the assessment, the risk to human health from AEEA is considered to be low.
Results of the assessment indicate that AEEA is not expected to accumulate in organisms or remain in the environment for a long time. Also, the quantity of AEEA that may be released to the environment is below the level expected to cause harm to organisms.
It was determined that there is low risk of harm to the environment from AEEA.
The Government of Canada published the Final Screening Assessment for Ethanol, 2-[(2-aminoethyl)amino] (AEEA) on May 28, 2016.

The Government concluded that AEEA is not harmful to human health at levels of exposure considered in the assessment, and that AEEA is not entering the environment at levels that are harmful.

Although AEEA is not considered to be harmful to human health or the environment, this substance is considered to have health effects of concern based on its potential reproductive and developmental effects. There may be a concern if exposures were to increase through, for example, an increased presence in products available to consumers.
AEEA is subject to the Significant New Activity (SNAc) provisions of CEPA. This requires that the Government be notified of certain proposed new activities related to these substances, and that the new activity be assessed for potential risks to human health and the environment before being undertaken.
The order outlines the definition of a significant new activity in relation to AEEA, as well as the information that needs to be provided to the Government for assessment before the new activity is undertaken.

Updates on actions for AEEA can be found on the timeline for the Internationally Classified Substance Grouping.
Information on SNAc provisions applied to substances, where applicable, is found in the SNAc publications dataset.
Additional information on the risk management of substances addressed under the CMP is available.
Use the Substances Search tool to find substances that are referenced in certain legislative or regulatory instruments or on Government of Canada websites.

AEEA may be found in products available to consumers. People in Canada should follow any safety warnings and directions related to the product and dispose of products responsibly.
Assessments conducted under CEPA focus on risks of exposure of the general population. Hazards related to chemicals used in the workplace are defined within the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). If a substance is harmful to the general population, it could also be of concern for individuals in situations where a higher volume of the substance is used or where the substance is used for a longer duration (for example, the workplace). The Government of Canada recognizes that it is the responsibility of the federal, provincial and territorial occupational health and safety organizations to coordinate legislation for the safe use of chemicals in the workplace. We are working to support this role by integrating the information, tools, and/or technical expertise of the CMP and Health Canada’s Workplace Hazardous Products Program.