Carbon disulfide: Health effects
Description
Carbon disulfide breaks down into other chemical substances after it enters the body. Medical tests can measure levels of these substances in urine and blood, but the tests are not reliable indicators of total exposure.
Acute effects: At very high levels, carbon disulfide may be life-threatening because of its effects on the nervous system or heart. Exposure can be through inhalation, absorption through the skin, ingestion, or skin or eye contact. In acute poisoning, early excitation of the central nervous system resembling alcoholic intoxication occurs, followed by depression, stupor, restlessness, unconsciousness, and possible death. If recovery occurs, narcosis, nausea, vomiting, and headache can occur.
Chronic effects: In chronic poisoning, there are sensory changes such as a crawling sensation in the skin, sensations of heaviness and coldness, and "veiling" of objects so that they appear indistinct. Exposure can cause changes in breathing, chest pains, muscle pain, weakness, loss of feeling in the hands or feet, eye problems, skin blisters, chronic fatigue, loss of memory, personality changes, irritability, dizziness, anorexia, weight loss, psychosis, polyneuropathy, gastritis, kidney and liver damage, dermatitis, mental deterioration, Parkinsonian paralysis, and insanity.
Carbon disulfide may damage the developing foetus. It may decrease fertility in men and women, causing sperm abnormalities and spontaneous abortions.
Entering the body
Probable routes of human exposure to carbon disulfide are inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact.
Exposure
The people most often exposed to carbon disulfide are workers in plants that use carbon disulfide in their manufacturing processes. Releases of carbon disulfide from industrial processes are almost exclusively to the air; individuals in proximity to these sites may be exposed. Exposure may result from breathing air, drinking water, or eating foods that contain it. People may also be exposed through skin contact with soil, water, or other substances that contain carbon disulfide.
Health guidelines
Worksafe Australia:
Maximum time weighted average TWA: 10 ppm 31 mg/m<3
Harmful: concentration cut-off level: 0.20 % weight/weight
Toxic: concentration cut-off level: 1 % weight/weight
Irritant: concentration cut-off level: 20 % weight/weight
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