OPPT Chemical Fact Sheet                                EPA 749-F-94-009

    CHEMICALS IN THE ENVIRONMENT: CARBONYL SULFIDE (CAS NO. 463-58-1)
                             prepared by
                OFFICE OF POLLUTION PREVENTION AND TOXICS
                  U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                              August 1994

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Chemicals can be released to the environment as a result of their
manufacture, processing, and use.  EPA has developed information
summaries on selected chemicals to describe how you might be exposed to
these chemicals, how exposure to them might affect you and the
environment, what happens to them in the environment, who regulates
them, and whom to contact for additional information.  EPA is committed
to reducing environmental releases of chemicals through source reduction
and other practices that reduce creation of pollutants.
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WHAT IS CARBONYL SULFIDE, HOW IS IT USED, AND HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED?

     Carbonyl sulfide is a colorless, flammable gas.  It is odorless
when pure but may have a sulfur odor when it contains impurities.  It
occurs naturally in petroleum crude oil, in salt marshes, in soil, and
in volcanic gases.  Worldwide, about 4 billion pounds are released each
year from these natural sources.  Carbonyl sulfide is produced as a 
by-product when carbon disulfide is made.  Three companies currently make
carbon disulfide in the United States.  EPA has no information on
current amounts of carbonyl sulfide made or used in the US.  Companies
that make pesticides are thought to be the largest users of carbonyl
sulfide.

     Exposure to carbonyl sulfide can occur in the workplace or in the
environment following releases to air, water, land, or groundwater. 
Carbonyl sulfide enters the body when breathed in with contaminated air
or when consumed with contaminated food or water.  It can also be
absorbed through skin contact.  It is not likely to be stored in the
body because of its breakdown and removal.

WHAT HAPPENS TO CARBONYL SULFIDE IN THE ENVIRONMENT?

     Carbonyl sulfide dissolves when mixed with water.  Some of it reacts 
with water to produce hydrogen sulfide.  Most direct releases of carbonyl 
sulfide to the environment are to air.  Carbonyl sulfide can also escape 
from water and soil exposed to air.  Once in air, it can remain for several 
years before breaking down to other chemicals. Because of its ability to 
mix with water and its inability to bind well to soil, carbonyl sulfide 
that makes its way into the ground can move through the ground and enter 
groundwater.  Plants and animals are not likely to store carbonyl sulfide.

HOW DOES CARBONYL SULFIDE AFFECT HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT?

     Effects of carbonyl sulfide on human health and the environment depend 
on how much carbonyl sulfide is present and the length and frequency of 
exposure.  Effects also depend on the health of a person or the condition 
of the environment when exposure occurs.

     Breathing large amounts of carbonyl sulfide for short periods of time 
can cause a person to lose consciousness and stop breathing. Exposure to 
smaller, non-lethal amounts of carbonyl sulfide adversely affects the 
human nervous system.  Effects include headaches, giddiness, dizziness, 
confusion, nausea, diarrhea, weakness, and muscle cramps.  The Agency does 
not have enough information to conclude whether or not these effects are 
likely to occur at levels of carbonyl sulfide that are normally found in 
the environment.  

     Human health effects associated with breathing or otherwise consuming 
small amounts of carbonyl sulfide over long periods of time are not known.  
Information on toxic effects associated with repeat exposure to carbonyl 
sulfide is not available. 

     Carbonyl sulfide is not likely to cause environmental harm at levels 
normally found in the environment.

WHAT EPA PROGRAM OFFICES REGULATE CARBONYL SULFIDE, AND UNDER WHAT LAWS IS
IT REGULATED?
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  EPA OFFICE            LAW                                PHONE NUMBER
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  Pollution Prevention  Toxic Substances Control Act       (202) 554-1404
   & Toxics             Emergency Planning and Community
                          Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
                          Regulations (Sec. 313)           (800) 424-9346
                          Toxics Release Inventory data    (202) 260-1531
  Air                   Clean Air Act                      (919) 541-0888
  Solid Waste &         Comprehensive Environmental
   Emergency Response    Response, Compensation, and
                         Liability Act (Superfund)/
                        EPCRA (Sec. 304/311/312)           (800) 424-9346

A technical support document can be requested from the TSCA Assistance
Information Service, (202) 554-1404.

WHAT OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES OR GROUPS CAN I CONTACT FOR INFORMATION ON
CARBONYL SULFIDE?
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  AGENCY/GROUP                                              PHONE NUMBER
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