Aniline

A chemical compound implicated, along with o-toluidine, in the causation of bladder cancer. Aniline and o-toluidine, both aromatic amines, are used in the manufacture of a variety of dyes, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and chemicals employed in the manufacture of rubber. The primary routes of exposure to these compounds are inhalation and dermal contact. There is no doubt that aniline and o-toluidine are carcinogens — agents that cause cancer. Evidence reported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) clearly associates the occupational exposure to o-toluidine and aniline with an increased risk of bladder cancer among workers. The risk of bladder cancer is greatest among workers with possible and definite exposures to o-toluidine and aniline, and the risk increases with the duration of exposure.

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C₆H₅(NH₂); an oily, colorless or brownish liquid, of aromatic odor and acrid taste, that is the parent substance of many synthetic dyes; derived from benzene by the substitution of the group —NH₂ for one of the hydrogen unatoms. A. is highly toxic, may cause industrial poisoning, and may be carcinogenic. SYN: aminobenzene, benzeneamine, phenylamine. [Ar. an-nil, indigo]

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an·i·line 'an-əl-ən n an oily liquid poisonous amine C₆H₅NH₂ obtained esp. by the reduction of nitrobenzene and used chiefly in organic synthesis (as of dyes and pharmaceuticals)

aniline adj

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an·i·line (anґĭ-lin) [Ar. an-nil indigo plant] a colorless oily liquid arylamine derived from coal tar or indigo, made commercially by reducing nitrobenzene. It is slightly soluble in water and freely so in ether and alcohol. Combined with other substances, especially chlorine and the chlorates, it forms the aniline colors or dyes. It is an important cause of serious industrial poisoning (anilinism), and high doses or long exposure may be carcinogenic. Called also amidobenzene and aminobenzene.