1,4,Dithiane : Profile Of Drinking Water Contaminants For Emergency Response


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1,4-DITHIANE
PROFILE OF DRINKING WATER CONTAMINANTS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE
GENERAL INFORMATION
1,4-Dithiane (diethylene disulfide) exists as a
volatile, white, monoclinic, crystalline solid at
room temperature. Although there is no known
mechanism for 1,4-dithiane formation, mustard
gas is thought to undergo polymerization and
dealkylation reactions during storage to produce
1,4-dithiane.
1,4-Dithiane has been found in groundwater
near Denver, Colorado, at concentrations of
3,600 to 9,678 (xg/L, and in Maryland at concen-
trations of 1,000 (xg/L (1 ppm).
There are few data on the environmental fate
of 1,4-dithiane. However, it easily photo-oxides
to sulfoxides and sulfones and readily forms
metal halide-addition compounds. No studies of
the fate of 1,4-dithiane in aqueous media are
available.
PHARMACOKINETICS
No quantitative data on the absorption of
1,4-dithiane from oral, inhalation, or dermal
exposure have been found in the available litera-
ture. One study, however, provided evidence
that 1,4-dithiane is systemically absorbed following
oral gavage.
HEALTH EFFECTS
Humans
No studies on the health effects of 1,4-dithiane
to humans were found in the literature.
HEALTH EFFECTS
Experimental Animals
Rats given an acute oral dose of 1,4-dithiane
developed central nervous system problems,
tearing and crusty eyes, lethargy, and crusty
noses, as well as gastrointestinal disturbances.
In a 90-day oral study with rats, the most
significant finding was the presence of anisotro-
pic crystals of an undetermined composition in
the nasal olfactory mucosa of both sexes.
Morphologic lesions also occurred in female
liver and male kidney, and these changes were
associated with increased absolute weights of
these organs.
No lifetime, reproductive, developmental, or
carcinogenicity studies were available.
It has been determined that 1,4-dithiane is
nonmutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium with
and without metabolic activation. No other
mutagenicity studies are available.
OTHER CRITERIA, ANALYSES, AND
TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES
No Threshold Limit Value, Short-Term-Exposure
Limit, or Permissible-Exposure-Limit for 1,4-dithiane
has been designated.
Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry
are the most widely applied methods for analyz-
ing 1,4-dithiane. Nuclear magnetic resonance
spectroscopy has been used to analyze the
chemical structure of 1,4-dithiane.
No specific information on the treatment of
1,4-dithiane in water is available.

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Physical and Chemical Properties
Empirical Formula
Synonyms
CAS Number
Physical State
Molecular Weight
Melting Point
Boiling Point
Vapor Pressure
Solubility
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1,4-DITyiANE
PROFILE OF DRINKING WATER CONTAMINANTS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE
GENERAL INFORMATION
1,4-Dithiane (diethylene disulfide) exists as a
volatile, white, monoclinic, crystalline solid at
room temperature. Although there is no known
mechanism for 1,4-dithiane formation, mustard
gas is thought to undergo polymerization and
dealkylation reactions during storage to produce
1,4-dithiane.
1,4-Dithiane has been found in groundwater
near Denver, Colorado, at concentrations of
3,600 to 9,678 (ig/L, and in Maryland at concen-
trations of 1,000 H-g/L (1 ppm).
There are few data on the environmental fate
of 1,4-dithiane. However, it easily photo-oxides
to sulfoxides and sulfones and readily forms
metal halide-addition compounds. No studies of
the fate of 1,4-dithiane in aqueous media are
available.
PHARMACOKINETICS
No quantitative data on the absorption of
1,4-dithiane from oral, inhalation, or dermal
exposure have been found in the available litera-
ture. One study, however, provided evidence
that 1,4-dithiane is systemically absorbed following
oral gavage.
HEALTH EFFECTS
Humans
No studies on the health effects of 1,4-dithiane
to humans were found in the literature.
HEALTH EFFECTS
Experimental Animals
Rats given an acute oral dose of 1,4-dithiane
developed central nervous system problems,
tearing and crusty eyes, lethargy, and crusty
noses, as well as gastrointestinal disturbances.
In a 90-day oral study with rats, the most
significant finding was the presence of anisotro-
pic crystals of an undetermined composition in
the nasal olfactory mucosa of both sexes.
Morphologic lesions also occurred in female
liver and male kidney, and these changes were
associated with increased absolute weights of
these organs.
No lifetime, reproductive, developmental, or
carcinogenicity studies were available.
It has been determined that 1,4-dithiane is
nonmutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium with
and without metabolic activation. No other
mutagenicity studies are available.
OTHER CRITERIA, ANALYSES, AND
TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES
No Threshold Limit Value, Short-Term-Exposure
Limit, or Permissible-Exposure-Limit for 1,4-dithiane
has been designated.
Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry
are the most widely applied methods for analyz-
ing 1,4-dithiane. Nuclear magnetic resonance
spectroscopy has been used to analyze the
chemical structure of 1,4-dithiane.
No specific information on the treatment of
1,4-dithiane in water is available.
-------
Physical and Chemical Properties
Empirical Formula
Synonyms
CAS Number
Physical State
Molecular Weight
Melting Point
Boiling Point
Vapor Pressure
Solubility
w2
Diethylene disulfide; Diethylene sulfide; p-Dithiane; 1,4-Dithiacyclohexane;
Tetrahydro-1,4-Dithiin; Triethylene trisulfide (early 1920s misnomer);
Tetramethylene 1,4-disulfide (German equivalent)
505-29-3
White, monoclinic crystals at 25°C; moderately clear,
prism shaped crystals
120.23
111-112°C (ranging from 108-113°C)
119-200°C (1 atm, 769 mm Hg)
0.8 mm Hg at 25°C (estimated); 51.4 mm Hg at 111 °C, over liquid (estimated);
11.88 g/L in water at 25°C.
/S\
h2c
H2°VCH2
Health Effects Data and Advisory Values
Genotoxicity
1,4-Dithiane was not mutagenic in the Ames Salmonella/Mamalian
Microsome Mutagenicity Assay.
Reproductive and
Developmental Effects
No studies were available for evaluating potential reproductive and develop-
mental effects.
Cancer Classification
EPA Group D: Not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity.
Reference Dose (RfD)
0.01 mg/kg/day

Drinking Water
Equivalent Level (DWEL)
0.4 mg/L

Health Advisory Values
One-Day
Ten-Day
Longer-Term (child)
Longer-Term (adult)
Lifetime
0.4 mg/L
0.4 mg/L
0.4 mg/L
1.0 mg/L
0.08 mg/L
This summary was developed using information from the Drinking Water Health Advisory.
A copy of the Health Advisory is available from the National Technical Information Service at (703) 487-4650.
The order number for the 1,4-Dithiane Health Advisory is PB93-117026.
For further information contact EPA's Office of Science and Technology at (202) 260-7571.
Office of Science and Technology
Office of Water
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
January 18,1993
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