Agent Name |
Methyl isothiocyanate |
CAS Number |
556-61-6 |
Formula |
C2-H3-N-S |
Major Category |
Toxic Gases & Vapors |
Synonyms |
Isothiocyanate de methyle [French]; Isothiocyanate de methyle [ISO-French]; Isothiocyanatomethane; Isothiocyanic acid, methyl ester; Isotiocianato de metilo [Spanish]; Isotiocianato di metile [Italian]; MIT; MeNCS; Methane, isothiocyanato-; Methyl isothiocyanate; Methyl mustard; Methyl mustard oil; Methyl-isothiocyanat [German]; Methylisothiocyanaat [Dutch]; Methylisothiocyanaat [Netherlands]; Methylisothiocyanat [Denmark]; Methylisothiokyanat [Czech]; Methylsenfoel [German]; Metile isotiocianato [Italian]; Mitc; Morton EP-161E; Trapex; Trapex-40; Trapexide; Vorlex (Nor-Am); Vorlex 201 (Nor-Am); Vortex; WN 12; UN2477; [ChemIDplus] |
Category |
Other Toxic Gases & Vapors |
Description |
Colorless crystals that sublime at room temperature; [HSDB] |
Sources/Uses |
Used as an insecticide and soil fumigant; Possibly used as a chemical weapon; [HSDB] Released from a pesticide factory in Bhopal India in 1984, killing about 2.500 people and leaving many survivors with chronic lung disease; [Rom, p. 503-4] |
Comments |
A strong irritant, vesicant, and lacrimator; Inhalation of high concentrations can cause bronchoconstriction, lung injury, seizures, and coma; [HSDB] May cause second or third degree burns after brief skin contact. [CHRIS] |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Not evaluated |
TIH |
Yes |
Vapor Pressure |
3.54 mm Hg |
Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 1,900 mg/m3/1H |
Explanatory Notes |
Flash point = 20 deg F; [CAMEO] |
Flammability (NFPA) |
2: high ambient temperature required |
Adverse Effects |
Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
Lacrimator |
Yes |
Neurotoxin |
Other CNS Neurotoxin |
Links to Other NLM Databases |