Wut EPA PROGRAM OFFICES REGULATE CARBON DISULFIDE, AND UNDER WHAT LAWS IS IT REGULATED?

EPA Orricr Law PHONE NUMBER

Pollution Prevention & Toxics Toxic Substances Control Act (202) 554-1404

Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA): Regulations (§ 313) (800) 535-0202

Toxics Release Inventory data (202) 260-1531

Ar (Clean Air Act (919) 541-0888

Solid Waste & Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund) (800) 535-0202
Emergency Response Resource Conservation and Recovery Act / EPCRA (§ 304/311/312)

later Clean Water Act (202) 260-7588

A technical support document is available from the TSCA Assistance Information Service, (202) 554-1404.

WHAT OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES OR GROUPS CAN I CONTACT FOR INFORMATION ON CARBON DISULFIDE?

AGENCY/GROUP PHONE NUMBER
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (404) 639-6000
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (513) 742-2020
‘National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (EnviroHealth Clearinghouse) (800) 643-4794
‘National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (800) 356-4674

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Check your local phone book under U.S. Department of Labor)


blurred vision and agitation. to con-
vulsions, coma, and death. Carbon
disulfide vapor also irritates the nosc
and the throat. Direct skin contact with
liquid carbon disulfide causes chemical
burns. Carbon disulfide can severely
damage the eyes. These effects are not
likely to occur at levels of carbon di-
sulfide that are normally found in the
environment.

Breathing or otherwise con-
suming small amounts of carbon di-
sulfide over long periods of time can
cause potentially permanent damage-to
the human nervous system. Effects
range from tremors and weakness to
mental impairment. Carbon disulfide
can also damage the human cardio-
vascular system, resulting in increased
blood pressure and coronary heart
disease. Workers repeatedly exposed
to carbon disulfide have developed
gastrointestinal and immune insuffi-
ciency problems. Laboratory studies
show that exposure to large amounts of
carbon disulfide during pregnancy
adversely affects the developing fetus
of animals. Studies also show that
repeated exposure to carbon disulfide
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 disulfide can con-
tribute to the formation of photo-
chemical smog when it reacts with
other volatile organic carbon sub-
stances in air.


Unded States EPA 749-F-94.008
Enwronmental Protection December 1994
Agency

(Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (7401)

SEPA 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 sc-
lected 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 informa-
tion EPA 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?

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 duc 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-
nics that make rayon. Companies use
smaller amounts of the chemical to make
agricultural fumigants, rubber chemicals,
and cellulose. Companies also use carbon
disulfide to clean metal surfaces. Olive oil
processors use the chemical to extract olive
oil


Exposure to carbon disulfide can oc-
cur in the workplace or in the cnvironment
following releases to air, water, land, or
groundwater. Carbon disulfide enters the body
when breathed in with contaminated air or
when consumed with contaminated food or
watcr. It is also absorbed through skin contact.
It does not remain in the body duc to 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 disulfide
fo the environment are to air. Carbon disulfide
also evaporates from water and soil exposed to
air. Once in air, it. 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 dizziness and headaches, to