It has been suggested that this type of abnormal olfactory change may be caused by damage to medial temporal and limbic structures within the brain. An important resource often utilized by the industrial hygienist while engaged in this critical endeavor is the industrial hygiene analytical chemistry laboratory. The efficient control of organic vapors, that of CS2 in particular, within the analytical laboratory setting is of concern to any industrial hygienist submitting samples to such a lab with the usual expectation of receiving accurate, reliable results - data which is invaluable in assisting with the numerous determinations and decisions required of the typical industrial hygienist. However, any discussion of control should, in the true spirit of industrial hygiene, be prefaced by an investigation into the anticipation, recognition, and evaluation of CS2 exposure. Even more common is an association with a psychoorganic syndrome which includes subjective feelings of fatigue, mild anxiety,headaches, sleep disturbances, and personality alterations.
Skin absorption occurs rapidly and is best deterred by wearing appropriate gloves.
Local exhaust ventilation in the form of a chemical fume hood is the standard method of controlling this extremely volatile vapor characterized by a boiling point of 46.5 degrees Celsius. In those applications where this engineering control is insufficient, appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn. Conclusion Occupational exposure to organic solvents is an important area of study within the broader discipline of industrial hygiene. An excellent example of this type of exposure occurs at the very same analytical laboratories industrial hygienists utilize in an attempt to quantitate exposures at various other worksites. Excessive exposure to this compound not only poses a substantial health risk to those employed at these labs, it could conceivably effect the quality of data emerging from such labs as well.