Aromatic
amines (AAs) are an important class of organic compounds
that find their application in various industries, such as dye production,
rubber manufacturing, and pharmaceutical synthesis. Despite the various
applications, they significantly harm human health and the environment.
This article provides an overview of the toxicity, hazards, and safe
handling of some primary aromatic amines (PAAs), focusing on representative
examples, such as aniline, toluidine, nitroaniline, chloroaniline,
and naphthylamine. The carcinogenicity and mutagenicity of PAAs are
a matter of concern that impacts the health of workers who are occupationally
exposed to such chemicals. Nonoccupational exposure to tobacco smoke
and household products also causes health issues in elderly patients
who remain indoors. Water and soil contamination by these pollutants
adversely affects aquatic organisms and groundwater quality. Thus,
proper handling and disposal protocols must be followed to minimize
their impact on human health and the environment. Additionally, this
review discusses the discrepancies between the European Union (EU)
and Japan’s hazard categorization for aniline as a specific
example. The information presented in this review emphasizes the importance
of understanding toxicity, hazards, and safe handling practices associated
with PAAs to ensure their responsible use and mitigate potential risks.