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Carcinogenic and Chronic Effects of 4,4′-Diaminodiphenylmethane, an Epoxyresin Hardener

Abstract

4,4′-DIAMINODIPHENYLMBTHANE (DDM) (I) has been in use in the rubber industry as an epoxyresin hardener and such like on an ever increasing scale for more than 20 years. This compound belongs to the class of aromatic amines, certain of which are known to be carcinogenic for animal and man, and to have been the cause of occupational bladder cancer1. The hepatotoxic effects of DDM in man came to light in the “Epping jaundice incident”2,3 in 1965, in which eighty-four people became ill, some seriously, with jaundice after having eaten bread made from flour accidentally contaminated with DDM during transit.

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SCHOENTAL, R. Carcinogenic and Chronic Effects of 4,4′-Diaminodiphenylmethane, an Epoxyresin Hardener. Nature 219, 1162–1163 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/2191162a0

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