Ethanethiol
Agent Name
Ethanethiol
Alternative Name
Ethyl mercaptan
CAS Number
75-08-1
Formula
C2-H6-S
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
1-Mercaptoethane; Ethanethiol; Ethyl hydrosulfide; Ethyl sulfhydrate; Ethyl thioalcohol; LPG ethyl mercaptan 1010; Mercaptoethane; Thioethanol; Thioethyl alcohol; Ethyl mercaptan; [ChemIDplus] UN2363
Category
Thiols
Description
Colorless liquid with a strong, skunk-like odor; Note: A gas above 95 degrees F; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used as an odorant for natural gas; used as an intermediate in the plastic, pesticide, and organic chemical industries; [ACGIH]
Comments
Its toxicity in rats and mice is similar to that of butyl mercaptan. Acutely, it is about 1/5 as toxic as hydrogen sulfide. Human volunteers exposed to 1mg/m3 (0.5 ppm) experienced no symptoms, while those exposed to 10 mg/m3 (4 ppm) complained of mucous membrane irritation and fatigue. [ACGIH] Liver necrosis occurs in animals receiving sublethal doses. [HSDB] See "THIOLS."
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
TLV (ACGIH)
0.5 ppm
PEL (OSHA)
Ceiling(OSHA) = 10 ppm
MAK
0.5 ppm
IDLH (NIOSH)
500 ppm
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the mouse 4hour LC50 of 2,770 ppm [Fairchild and Stokinger 1958 cited by ACGIH 1971]. . . . Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.
Vapor Pressure
529 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
9.8E-05 ppm
Odor Threshold High
0.003 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 4,420 ppm/4H
Explanatory Notes
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 0.00035 ppm); Flash point = -48.3 C; VP from HSDB;
NFPA
burn readily
Adverse Effects
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Other Poison
Chemical Asphyxiant
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.