| Agent Name |
Dimethyl sulfate |
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| CAS Number |
77-78-1 |
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| Formula |
C2-H6-O4-S |
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| Major Category |
Toxic Gases & Vapors |
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| Synonyms |
DMS (methyl sulfate); Dimethyl monosulfate; Dimethyl sulfate; Dimethyl sulphate; Dimethylester kyseliny sirove [Czech]; Dimethylsulfaat [Dutch]; Dimethylsulfat [Czech]; Dimetilsolfato [Italian]; Dwumetylowy siarczan [Polish]; Methyl sulfate; Methyl sulfate (VAN); Methyle (sulfate de) [French]; Sulfate de dimethyle [French]; Sulfate dimethylique [French]; Sulfato de dimetilo [Spanish]; [ChemIDplus] UN1595 |
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| Category |
Other Toxic Gases & Vapors |
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| Description |
Colorless, oily liquid with a faint, onion-like odor; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used as a methylating agent in the synthesis of many organic compounds; [ACGIH] |
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| Comments |
Dimethyl sulfate causes blistering and ulceration of the skin. In cases of industrial poisoning, workers experienced burning eyes first and then respiratory symptoms, including irritation of the nose and throat, chest pain, cough, and dyspnea. Persistent abnormalities in liver function following exposure have been reported. Death is due to circulatory failure. In the presence of water vapor, dimethyl sulfate readily hydrolyzes into methanol and sulfuric acid. [ACGIH] Causes second or third degree burns after short skin exposure; [CHRIS] In a textile plant using dimethyl sulfate to produce surfactants, air levels were low but workers in one building had high blood levels secondary to skin absorption. [Schettgen T, Broding HC, Angerer J, Drexler H. Dimethyl sulphate; a hidden problem in occupational medicine. Occup Environ Med 2004;61:73-75] Dimethyl sulfate causes no known injury to the liver in experimental animals or humans. [Zimmerman, p. 368] A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; Can cause effects on the liver, kidneys, and CNS; [ICSC] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
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| TIH |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
0.1 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
1 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
7 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by Patty [1963] that a 20�minute exposure to 13 ppm caused severe symptoms in monkeys and a 20�minute exposure to 75 ppm resulted in the LC50 for guinea pigs [Ghiringhelli et al. 1957; Ghiringhelli and Sironi 1958]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
0.67 mm Hg |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 45 mg/m3/4 hr |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Flash point = 182 deg F; |
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| Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
2: high ambient temperature required |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
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| Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Probable Carcinogen |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: DIMETHYL SULFATE
|
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