Agent Name |
Dimethyl sulfide |
CAS Number |
75-18-3 |
Formula |
C2-H6-S |
Major Category |
Other Classes |
Synonyms |
Dimethyl sulfide; Dimethyl sulphide; Methane, thiobis-; 2-Thiapropane; DMS; Dimethyl monosulfide; Dimethyl thioether; Dimethylsulfid [Czech]; Exact-S; Methanethiomethane; Methyl monosulfide; Methyl thioether; Methylthiomethane; Sulfure de methyle [French]; Thiobis(methane); Methyl sulfide; [ChemIDplus] |
Category |
Sulfur Compounds |
Description |
Colorless liquid with a very unpleasant odor; [ACGIH] |
Sources/Uses |
Dimethyl sulfide is a common air pollutant of paper mills, sewage treatment plants, and oil refineries. It is used as a food flavoring agent. [ACGIH] Also used as a chemical intermediate, a sulfiding agent, an anti-coking agent, a gas odorant, and a mineral salt solvent; [CHEMINFO] |
Comments |
Liquid can cause first degree burns after short contact. [CHRIS] Decomposes on heating to release hydrogen sulfide and sulfur oxides; [ICSC] Low toxicity after skin or inhalation exposure; [HSDB] When applied to the skin, under a patch, for 48 hours, 1% dimethyl sulfide in petroleum jelly does not cause skin irritation. Dimethyl sulfide vapor can reach high concentrations at room temperature and act as a simple asphyxiant. It is a skin and respiratory tract irritant and can cause CNS depression after heavy inhalation exposure. Workers exposed to concentrations below 6% (60,000 ppm) may suffer respiratory collapse and death. [CHEMINFO] |
Reference Link |
HSDB |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
TLV (ACGIH) |
10 ppm |
Vapor Pressure |
502 mm Hg |
Odor Threshold Low |
0.0098 ppm |
Odor Threshold High |
0.02 ppm |
Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 40,250 ppm/4 hr |
Explanatory Notes |
Boiling point = 37 degrees C; [ICSC] Odor threshold from CHEMINFO; |
Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
Flammability (NFPA) |
4: burns readily |
Adverse Effects |
Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
Neurotoxin |
Other CNS Neurotoxin |
Other Poison |
Simple Asphyxiant |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: DIMETHYL SULFIDE
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