Synonyms: Methyl Sulfide; Dimethyl Sulphide; Thiobismethane; DMS; Methylthiomethane; 2-Thiapropane; 2-Thiopropane

OSHA IMIS Code Number: D650

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 75-18-3

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: PV5075000

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1164 130

Chemical Description and Physical Properties:

flammable, colorless liquid with characteristic odor
molecular weight: 62.14
vapor pressure: 53.2 kPa @ 20°C
molecular formula: C₂H₆S
boiling point: 37.3°C
melting point: -98°C
flash point: -49°C

Incompatibilities: Reacts violently with oxidants causing fire and explosion hazard

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 10 ppm, 25 mg/m³ TWA

Potential Symptoms: Irritation of eyes and skin; cough, sore throat; nausea; weakness

Health Effects: Irritation-Eyes---Marked (HE14); Irritation-Skin---Mild (HE16)

Affected Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system

Notes:

1. OSHA does not have a PEL for dimethyl sulfide.
2. Vapor/air mixtures of dimethyl sulfide may be explosive.
3. Dimethyl sulfide is listed by the FDA as a synthetic flavoring substance that is permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption (21 CFR 172.515).
4. Dimethyl sulfide is a minor metabolite of the amino acid methionine, the drug cysteamine, and dimethylsulfoxide, and it can be measured in breath, blood and urine.
5. Hematological health effects of organic sulfide exposure on employees at a pulp and paper plant have been studied, but the role of dimethyl sulfide in these effects is unknown.

Literature Basis:

• International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Dimethylsulphide.
• Blom, H.J., Boers, G.H., van den Elzen, J.P., Gahl, W.A. and Tangerman, A.: Transamination of methionine in humans. Clin. Sci. (Lond.) 76(1): 43-49, 1989.
• Egorin, M.J., Rosen, D.M., Sridhara, R., Sensenbrenner, L. and Cottier-Fox, M.: Plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetics of dimethylsulfoxide and its metabolites in patients undergoing peripheral-blood stem-cell transplants. J. Clin. Oncol. 16(2): 610-615, 1998.
• Gahl, W.A., Ingelfinger, J., Mohan, P., Bernardini, I., Hyman, P.E. and Tangerman, A.: Intravenous cysteamine therapy for nephropathic cystinosis. Pediatr. Res. 38(4): 579-584, 1995.
• Klingberg, J., Beviz, A., Ohlson, C.G. and Tenhunen, R.: Disturbed iron metabolism among workers exposed to organic sulfides in a pulp plant. Scand. J. Work Environ. Health 14(1): 17-20, 1988.
• Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Dimethyl Sulfide. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 941-942.
• Suarez, F.L., Furne, J.K., Springfield, J. and Levitt, M.D.: Morning breath odor: influence of treatments on sulfur gases. J. Dent. Res. 79(10): 1773-1777, 2000.

Date Last Revised: 02/06/2007

Primary Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method (SLC1):

• sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
  analytical solvent: Methylene Chloride
  maximum volume: 5 Liters
  maximum flow rate: 0.1 L/min
  current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FPD
  method reference: OSHA Salt Lake Technical Center In-House Files
  method classification: Partially Validated
  

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