Orated SIM* EPA 7494= 94 COB EflMUMMnM PMMtlon OKwntar 19M Agwcy OtCT of Potubon Pmminon »od Tore* (7401) oEFA Chemicals in the Environment CARBON DISULFIDE (CAS NO 75-15-0) ------- Chemicals can be released to the envi- ronment as a result of their manufacture. processing, and use. The EPA has de- veloped information summaries on se- lected chemicals to describe how you might be exposed to these chemicals, how exposure to them might aflccl vou and the cm iroruncnl, what happens (o them in the environment, who regulates them, and whom to contact for additional informa- tion HPA is committed to reducing envi- ronmental releases of chemicals through source reduction and other practices that reduce creation of pollutants WHAT IS CARBON DISULFIDE, HOW IS IT USED, AND HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED? " v, ' ~ ••' -u' Carbon disulfide is a colorless, flammable liquid with a pleasant odor. Impure samples have a yellow color and a disagreeable odor. It occurs naturally mostly due to the action of microorganisms living in sediments found on the sea floor and in marshes. Carbon disulfide is pro- duced in large amounts (207 million pounds in 1992) by three companies in the United States. US demand for carbon di- sulfide has declined in recent years and is likely to continue to fall. The largest users of carbon disulfide are chemical compa- nies that make rayon. Companies use smaller amounts of the chemical to make agricultural fumiganls. rubber chemicals, and cellulose. Companies also use carbon disulfide to clean metal surfaces. Olive oil processors use the chemical to extract olive oil ------- Exposure lo carbon disulfidc can oc- cur in the workplace or in the environment following releases to air, water, land, or ground water Carbon disulfide enters the body when breathed in with contaminated air or when consumed with contaminated food or water. It is also absorbed through skin contact. It docs not remain in the body due lo its breakdown and removal. WHAT HAPPENS TO CARBON DISULFIDE IN THE ENVIRONMENT? Carbon disulfide evaporates when exposed to air. It dissolves when mixed with water. Most direct releases of carbon disulfidc to the environment are to air. Carbon disulfide also evaporates from water and soil exposed to air. Once in air. il breaks down to other chemicals. Because it is a liquid that does not bind well to soil, carbon disulfide that makes its way into the ground can move through the ground and into groundwater. Plants and animals are not likely to store carbon disulfide HOW DOES CARBON DISULFIDE AFFECT HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT? Effects of carbon disulfide on human health and the environment depend on how much carbon disulfide is present and the length and frequency of exposure. Effects also de- pend on the health of a person or the condition of the environment when exposure occurs. Breathing or otherwise consuming carbon disulfide for short periods of time ad- versely affects the human nervous system. Effects range from di//mess and headaches, to ------- blurred vision and agitation, to con- vulsions, coma, and death. Carbon disulfidc vapor also irritates the nose and the throat. Direct skin contact with liquid carbon disulfidc causes chemical bums. Carbon disulfidc can severely damage the eyes. These effects are not likely to occur at levels of carbon di- sulfidc that are normally found in the environment. =f*^ Breathing or otherwise con- suming small amounts of carbon fc t sulfide over long periods of time oq*--- cause potentially permanent damage to the human nervous system. Effects range from tremors and weakness to mental impairment. Carbon disulfidc can also damage die human cardio- vascular system, resulting in increased blood pressure and coronary heart disease. Workers repeatedly exposed to carbon disulfidc have developed gastrointestinal and immune insuffi- ciency problems. Laboratory studies show that exposure to large amounts of carbon disulfidc during pregnancy adversely affects the developing fetus of animals. Studies also show that repeated exposure to carbon disulfidc causes adverse kidney effects in ani- mals. Carbon disulfide by itself is not likely to cause environmental harm at levels normally found in the envi- ronment. Carbon disulfidc can con- tribute to the formation of photo- chemical smog when it reacts with other volatile organic carbon sub- stances in air. ------- WHAT EPA PXOGKAM omen REGULATE CABBON DHULPIDC, AND mm WIUT uun • ir •KOLMD? EPAOmcE Pol fulion Prevention A Toxic* Air Solid Wart** Enxrg«nc> Reaponae Water LAW Tone Sufamnoet Control Act Emergency Pl«nnin« 4nd Oinmiunity Rigtt^o-Kiww Ad (EI^RA^ Regulation* (§313) Toxio* Rel«uc Invcnlwy <*^» Clean Air Art TniBp Amir n Fn h uniiilil Tnji inn. rnoijMMliiin. mill iiliilir 1rt f"ii| iifinnl) RwNin»C«n«ratka rad R«oov«y Act /EPOIA (1304/311/312) Ciata Water Act A technical aupport document is available from the T8CA AaaMUno*IirfbnM*k»S«rvic«, (202) 554-1404. WHAT OTHER FEDEIIAL AGENCIES OR GROUM CAN I CONTACT FOR INK>RMATION ON CARBON nmiLfiDET ACENCY^GROUP PHONE NUMBER AjBBoy ftr Tone Subatinoci and Dimii RijaKry (404)639-6000 American Conference of GovrnimaiUl lixij*triaJ Hygienub (913)742-2020 (800)643-4794 (800)356-4674 NationaJInathuUforOocupatkiBalSiftryaadH«tHh(NlOSH) Occupational Safety and HaaJth Adminiitf«bon PBONX NUMBER (202) 554-1404 (800) 535-0202 (202)260-1531 (919) 541-0888 (800) 535-0202 (202)260-7588 i book under US. Department of Labor) ------- |