What is it?
Diaminodiphenylmethane is a chemical used to prevent oxidation and ozone damage in rubber products and as a hardener for epoxy resins. It is a cold-curing hardener that does not require heat or ultraviolet radiation to harder on set the resin.

How do I avoid it?
Patients who are allergic to diaminodiphenylmethane are most likely exposed to the cause of their allergy at work. The most common sources of problems are rubber and plastic products and adhesives. Rubber or vinyl gloves approved of by the physicians should be worn at work. Certain personal and recreational products like those listed may also cause problems. Such patients may be allergic to the p-phenylenediamine, products that are present in most permanent and semipermanent hair dyes.

Workers primarily at risk are those in the aircraft, automobile and boat industries and those in polyvinylchloride film manufacturing, electronic and electrical industries, tool and die casting, and the construction trades. Non-occupation exposures include plastic jewelry, eyeglass frames, chamber pots, handbags, and vinyl gloves.

Uses:
  • Adhesive and glues (for example, two-part household glue)
  • Balls
  • Corrosive inhibitors
  • Dental bonding agents
  • Earphones
  • Electric encapsulators and surface coatings
  • Epoxy resin curing agent
  • Eyeglass frames
  • Eyelash curlers
  • Face masks
  • Germicides
  • Handbags
  • Insecticides (phosphate)
  • Laminates
  • Neoprene
  • Paint and inks
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Plastic jewelry
  • Plastics
  • Polyurethane foam production
  • Polyvinylchloride products
  • Shoe soles
  • Spandex (a polyurethane fiber) elasticized clothing, hair nets, and support hose
  • Surface-active agents
  • Tires and heavy-duty rubber products

Other names for Diaminodiphenylmethane:
  • DDM
  • p,p-Diaminodiphenylmethane
  • 4,4-Methylene-bis(benzenamine)
  • 4,4-Methylenedianiline
  • Tonox
  • 4,4’-diaminodiphenylmethane
  • MDA
  • 4-(4-aminobenzyl)aniline
  • 4-4’-diaminoditan

Potential cross-reacting/co-reacting substances:
  • Amino compounds
  • Azo dyes
  • p-Amino substituted benzene compounds such as benzocaine and PABA
  • Paraphenylenediamine
  • Polyurethane resin

How safe is it?

Hang tight. We're thinking.