Carbon disulphide toxicity

Carbon disulphide. When working with this solvent, its toxicity (it is a blood and nerve poison) and particularly its high inflammability should be home in mind. Distillation of appreciable quantities of carbon disulphide should be carried out in a water bath at 55-65° it has been known to ignite from being overheated on a steam bath. 

Elimination of sample preparation and handling of toxic solvents such as carbon disulphide Absence of solvent simplifies chromatograph Increased sensitivity Sample tubes can be reused ... 

Carbon disulphide has a powerful toxic effect, producing headache, sickness, giddiness, a general weakening of the senses and muscular forces, and finally death. 

Note. (1) Carbon disulphide is toxic and has a dangerously low flash point (Section 2.3.2, p. 40). 

Acetonitrile is frequently used for the desorption of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydra-zones of carbonyl compounds collected on silica gel [39,40,59], while CS2 is used for samples collected onto charcoal and dichloromethane for samples collected onto Anasorb 747 [59]. Carbon disulphide is particularly suitable for the desorption of nonpolar compounds but gives less satisfactory outcomes for the polar compounds. To overcome this shortcoming, polar cosolvents such as dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide and ethanol are added to CS, to increase the recovery of polar analytes [36]. In addition, the use of CS2 suffers from a number of other drawbacks, including the facts that (1) it reacts with amines and volatile chlorocarbons (2) it is unsuitable when electron detectors (e.g. electron capture detectors, ECDs) are used, (3) it is toxic and (4) has an unpleasant odour [36]. 

The solvent hexane causes a different type of neurotoxicity, involving swelling and degeneration of motor neurones. This leads to paraesthesia and sensory loss in the hands and feet, and weakness in toes and fingers. Hexane has been widely used in industry as a solvent, and there have been many cases of neuropathy reported from different parts of the world. The toxicity is due to the metabolite 2,5-hexanedione which arises by co-1 oxidation at the 2- and 5-positions to 2,5-hexanediol, and then further oxidation to the diketone (figure 4.9). The 2,5-hexanedione then reacts with protein to form pyrrole adducts. The v-diketone structure is important, as 2,3- and 2,4-hexanedione are not neurotoxic. Methyl -butyl ketone also causes similar neurotoxic effects and is also metabolized to 2,5-hexanedione. The lipophilicity of the molecule allows distribution to many tissues including the nervous system. Thus, chemical structure and metabolism are important prerequisites for this toxicity. Exposure to the solvent carbon disulphide in industry causes neuronal damage in the central and peripheral nervous system. 

The mechanism may involve chelation of metal ions essential for enzyme activity by the oxothiazolidine and dithiocarbamate metabolites of carbon disulphide, which are formed by reaction with glutathione and glycine, respectively. However, reactive metabolites may also be formed such as active sulphur (figure 4,26) which might play a role in the various toxic effects. 

DeMatteis F, Seawright AA. 1973. Oxidative metabolism of carbon disulphide by the rat Effect of treatments which modify the liver toxicity of carbon disulphide. Chem Biol Interact 6 375-388. 

Vasak V, Kopecky J. 1967. On the role of pyridoxamine in the mechanism of the toxic action of carbon disulphide. In BriegerH, ed. Toxicology of carbon disulfide. Amsterdam, The Netherlands Excerpta Medica Foundation, 35-41. 

The presence of carbon disulphide and hydrogen sulphide is of course readily detected by their unpleasant smell at concentrations which are well below toxic concentrations. Water containing carbon disulphide as well as hydrogen sulphide irritates the skin, and both compounds may be absorbed through the skin [14]. 

The reason for this reaction is not understood, but the authors of the report suggest that the omeprazole may have allowed the accumulation of one of the metabolites of disulfiram, carbon disulphide, which could have been responsible for the toxic effects. ... 

Inorganic. Inorganic compounds are all elements, alloys, and compounds which do not contain a carbon-carbon linkage. Some examples of inorganic substances are carbides, carbon disulphide such toxic materials as phosgene or chlorine and inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, and sulphuric acids. lATA App. A... 

Carbon disulphide is extremely volatile but the pure substance has only a little smell though unpleasant. It is toxic and with its high inflammability it must be classed as hazardous. 

A colourless highly refractive liquid, CS2, slightly soluble in water and soluble in ethanol and ether r.d. 1.261 m.p. -110°C b.p. 46.3°C. Pure carbon disulphide has an ethereal odour but the commercial product is contaminated with a variety of other sulphur compounds and has a most unpleasant smeU. It was previously manufactured by heating a mixture of wood, sulphur, and charcoal modern processes use natural gas and sulphur. Carbon disulphide is an excellent solvent for oils, waxes, rubber, sulphur, and phosphorus, but its use is decreasing because of its high toxicity and its flammability. It is used for the preparation of xanthates in the manufacture of viscose yarns. 

Carbon disulphide. Carbon disulphide (MEL 10 ppm 8h TWA) is an excellent solvent with a wide range of potential uses, but it is also highly toxic. It has been shown to produce peripheral neuropathy and peripheral and brain arterial damage in humans. Epidemiological studies have shown a relationship between exposure to carbon disulphide and an increased incidence of coronary heart disease. Animal studies have shown teratogenic and fetotoxic effects. 

Add 5 ml carbon disulphide (caution flammable toxic and obnoxious vapour) from a dispenser, e.g. a glass syringe. Close the titration vessel. 

Disulfiram implantation seems to be of little use in most patients. The implant is frequently rejected or poorly absorbed. After implantation of disulfiram the blood level is only rarely comparable to that achieved after oral administration. In addition, carbon disulphide, a metabolite which is regularly found in the expiratory air after oral ingestion of disulfiram, has been found in only one patient out of 62 receiving implantation of disulfiram. Pharmacologically speaking, the implantation thus does not seem to have more than a placebo action (18 ) and the side effects are likely to be irritant rather than toxic. 

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