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)

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 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

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       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

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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.

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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)

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