Substance fact sheet
The background information page contains information and concepts that will be useful in understanding some of the issues surrounding the NPI. It is strongly recommended that you read this before reading the information presented below.
For an explanation of some of the terms used in this page, see the Glossary
| Substance name | 4,4'-Methylene-bis(2-chloroaniline) (MOCA) |
| CASR number | 101-14-4 |
| Molecular formula | C13H12Cl2N2 |
| Synonyms | 3,3'-Dichloro-4,4'-diaminodiphenyl methane; BOCA; Bis Amine; Cyanaset; DACPM; MOCA; MBOCA; Curene 442; di(4-amino-3-chlorophenyl)methane; 4,4'-diamino-3,3'-dichlorodiphenylmethane;4,4'-methylenebis(2-chloroaniline); p,p'-methylenebis(alpha-chloroaniline); methylene-bis-orthochloroaniline; bis-amine A; Cl-mda; curalin M; 4,4-Methylene bis(2-chloroaniline). |
Physical and chemical properties Physical properties: Tan to colourless solid with no odour. Melting Point (°C): 110 Boiling Point (°C): - Specific Gravity: 1.44 Vapour Density: - Chemical properties: |
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Common uses Methylene bis 2,4 aniline (MOCA) (4,4-) is used to make polyurethane products that are a significant component of many common appliances. These are widely used in such items as gear systems in modern office and home appliances, sporting goods, mouldings for motor vehicle body parts and military equipment. The compound is commonly used as a coating to set other glues, plastics and adhesives. Its main purpose is to act as a curing agent for other polyurethane and elastomer compounds. It is essential for creating chemical reactions that bond other molecules in relatively stable complex structures which comprise these compounds. |
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Sources of emissions Point sources Released from industries producing and manufacturing polyurethane products, for example components for household appliances, cameras, computers, motor vehicle component manufacturers specialised motor car body shops. Diffuse sources, and point sources included in aggregated emissions data Small quantities may be present in air or upon surfaces in the vicinity of plants that manufacture polyurethane products. Natural sources Not known to occur in nature. Mobile sources No mobile sources. Consumer products which may contain 4,4-Methylene bis 2,4 aniline (MOCA) Present as a component in relatively stable compounds which comprise polyurethane products such as sporting goods, footwear, computers, cameras, gear and bearing systems in household appliances, motor vehicle body parts and mouldings. |
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Health effects How might I be exposed to 4,4-Methylene bis 2,4 aniline (MOCA)? People working in industries that produce or use the compound for manufacture of polyurethane products are most likely to be directly exposed to the compound. Exposure may take place where the compound has been disposed of in landfill or waste disposal sites. By what pathways might 4,4-Methylene bis 2,4 aniline (MOCA) enter my body? Direct contact with the skin, eyes and inhalation of dust and or other particles to which it is attached. Relative health hazard On a health hazard spectrum of 0 - 3 4,4-Methylene bis 2,4 aniline (MOCA) registers 1.3. A score of 3 represents a very high hazard to health, 2 represents a medium hazard and 1 is harmful to health. Factors that are taken into account to obtain this ranking include the extent of the material's toxic or poisonous nature and/or its lack of toxicity, and the evaluation of its tendency to cause, or not cause cancer and/or birth defects. It does not take into account exposure to the substance. Human exposure is reflected in the NPI rank given to this substance (see comparative data below). A substance that scores highly as a health hazard is arsenic at 2.3 and one of the lowest scores is ammonia at 1.0.  Health guidelines Worksafe Australia: The compound is probably carcinogen to humans, can readily be absorbed through the skin. Time weighted average exposure levels over an 8-hour period should be limited to no more than 0.22 milligrams per cubic metre of air. See the Additional Information page for current health information. The Australian NOHSC National Exposure Standards Database link is probably the most useful source of information. Note that the emissions data in the NPI database is not directly comparable with these guidelines. What effect might 4,4-Methylene bis 2,4 aniline (MOCA) have on my health? This depends on how much methylene bis 2,4 aniline (MOCA) (4,4-) you have been exposed to, for how long, and your current state of health. Exposure can result in symptoms such as distress in the digestive system as well as burning of the skin, hands and face where direct contact has taken place. Methylene bis 2,4 aniline (MOCA) (4,4-) is probably a cancer-causing agent in humans. It can interfere with the ability of blood to carry oxygen and result in headaches, dizziness, nausea and result in a bluish colour in the lips and skin. |
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Environmental effects Environmental Fate It will remain strongly attached to soil particles if it is disposed of in landfills or waste sites. 4, 4'-Methylenebis (2-Chloroaniline) is moderately persistent in the environment with a half-life of between 20 to 200 days. It can accumulate in the roots of vegetables grown in soil that contain it as a contaminant. Environmental Transport It may enter the environment from industrial effluents or spills. Sunlight and air will breakdown the compound, as will the action of microorganisms in soil or water. It can be accumulated in the root systems of some plants and vegetables grown in soil from waste disposal sites where it has been disposed of. 4,4'-Methylenebis (2-Chloroaniline) is moderately soluble in water. It strongly attaches to soil particles if it is disposed of and is unlikely to enter groundwater. It does not readily evaporate from soil or water. Relative hazard to the environment On an environmental spectrum of 0 - 3 4,4-Methylene bis 2,4 aniline (MOCA) registers 3. A score of 3 represents a very high hazard to the environment and 0 a negligible hazard. Factors that are taken into account to obtain this ranking include the extent of the material's toxic or poisonous nature and/or its lack of toxicity, and the measure of its ability to remain active in the environment and whether it accumulates in living organisms. It does not take into exposure to the substance. Environmental exposure is reflected in the NPI rank for this substance (see comparative data below). A substance that scores highly as an environmental hazard is oxides of nitrogen at 3.0 and one of the lower scores is carbon monoxide at 0.8.  Environmental guidelines See the Additional Information page for current environmental guidelines. No national guidelines. What effect might 4,4-Methylene bis 2,4 aniline (MOCA) have on the environment? The chemical properties of 4,4'- Methylenebis (2-Chloroaniline) indicate that about 43% will enter the water, 28% aquatic sediments, and 30% terrestrial soil. The concentration of 4,4'-Methylenebis (2-Chloroaniline) found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of 4,4'-Methylenebis (2-Chloroaniline) in the water from which the fish was taken. It can become concentrated in the root fibres of plants grown in soil that contains the compound. Can broken down by microscopic organisms in the soil or air. 4, 4'-Methylenebis (2-Chloroaniline) has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to predict the short-term effects on plants, birds, or land animals. |
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Comparative data NPI Rank Approximately 400 substances were considered for inclusion on the NPI reporting list. A risk ranking was given based on health and environmental hazard identification and human and environmental exposure to the substance. Some substances were grouped together at the same rank with 208 ranks in total. 4,4-Methylene bis 2,4 aniline (MOCA) was ranked as 44 out of the 208 ranks. Total hazard score (human health + environmental criteria) = 4.3.  |
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Sources of information used in preparing this article
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