Dimethyl sulfate

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

Category

Other Toxic Gases & Vapors

Description

Colorless, oily liquid with a faint, onion-like odor; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as a methylating agent in the synthesis of many organic compounds; [ACGIH]

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]

Biomedical References

Yes

Yes

0.1 ppm

1 ppm

7 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by Patty [1963] that a 20­minute exposure to 13 ppm caused severe symptoms in monkeys and a 20­minute exposure to 75 ppm resulted in the LC50 for guinea pigs [Ghiringhelli et al. 1957; Ghiringhelli and Sironi 1958].

0.677 mm Hg

LC50 (rat) = 45 mg/m3/4 hr

Explanatory Notes

Flash point = 182 deg F; VP from HSDB;

Reference Link #2

high ambient temp required

Yes

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Skin burns

Probable (2a)

Anticipated human carcinogen

Confirmed Animal

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Pneumonitis, toxic