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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI) Chemical Sampling Information
Dimethyl sulfate
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General Description
    Synonyms: Dimethyl ester of sulfuric acid; Dimethylsulfate; Dimethyl Sulphate; Methyl sulfate

    OSHA IMIS Code Number: 0960

    Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 77-78-1

    NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: WS8225000

    Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1595 156 [27 KB, PDF]

    NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Dimethyl sulfate: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 1 ppm, 5 mg/m3 TWA; Skin

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 1 ppm, 5 mg/m3 TWA; Skin

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 1 ppm, 5 mg/m3 TWA; Skin

    American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 0.1 ppm, 0.52 mg/m3 TWA; Skin; Appendix A3 - Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans

    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 0.1 ppm, 0.5 mg/m3 TWA; Skin; Appendix A - NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens
Health Factors
    National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Reasonably Anticipated to be Human Carcinogen. [218 KB, PDF]

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 2A, Probably carcinogenic to humans [106 KB, PDF, 14 pages]

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carcinogenic classification: Group B2, Probable human carcinogen

    NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 7 ppm

    Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, nose; headache; dizziness; lacrimation, conjunctivitis; photophobia; periorbital edema; sore throat; hoarseness, aphonia, dysphagia, cough; chest tightness, pain; dyspnea, pulmonary edema (delayed); cyanosis; vomiting, diarrhea; dysuria; analgesia; fever; proteinuria, hematuria; skin, eye burns; blurred vision; delirium (potential occupational carcinogen); INGES ACUTE: Abdominal cramps; burning sensation; edema of lips, tongue and pharynx; convulsions; shock or collapse.

    Health Effects: Mutagen (HE2); Acute eye, lung and skin effects (HE4)

    Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, liver, kidneys, CNS

    Notes: 1) No odor warning if toxic concentrations are present. Lethal exposure known to be as low as 97 ppm for 10 minutes. 2) Reactions include decomposition on contact with water to methanol, methyl hydrogen sulfate and sulfuric acid; and methylation of DNA and some proteins. 3) Blood N-methylvaline levels have been used to study occupational exposure to dimethyl sulfate and suggest skin as the major site of absorption.

    Date Last Revised: 03/10/2004

    Literature Basis:
    • EPA Air Toxics Website: Dimethyl sulfate. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Network.
    • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Dimethyl sulfate.
    • NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances: Sulfuric acid, dimethyl ester (RTECS # WS8225000).
    • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Dimethyl sulfate.
    • Anonymous: Dimethyl sulfate. IARC Monogr. Eval. Carcinog. Risks Hum. 71(Pt. 2): 575-588, 1999.
    • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Dimethyl Sulfate. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 939-941.
    • Schettgen, T., Broding, H.C., Angerer, J. and Drexler, H.: Dimethyl sulphate: a hidden problem in occupational medicine. Occup. Environ. Med. 61(1): 73-75, 2004.
    • Wang, Y., Xia, J. and Wang, Q.: Clinical report on 62 cases of acute dimethyl sulfate intoxication. Am. J. Ind. Med. 13(4): 455-462, 1988.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
    Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

    • sampling media: Porapak Q Tube (100/50 mg sections, 50/80 mesh)
      analytical solvent: Acetone
      maximum volume: 10 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.1 L/min
      current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FPD
      method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA PV2147)
      method classification: Partially Validated

    On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:

    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Dräger
      model/type: Dimethyl Sulphate 0.005/c, order no. 67 18701
      sampling information: 200 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 0.05 ppm
      detection limit: approximately 0.005 ppm
      overall uncertainty: approximately 50%
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

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