Carbon disulfide is described by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as a colorless liquid with an ether-like odor. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports that carbon disulfide evaporates at room temperature and the vapor is more than twice as heavy as air.
Many industries use carbon disulfide as a building block in organic chemistry and as an industrial solvent. NIOSH lists some examples of workers at potential risk of being exposed to carbon disulfide, they include:
- Factory workers who work where rubber is made or processed
- Workers involved in cellophane production
- Employees who work in factories where rayon fabric is made
- Employees involved in the production of carbon tetrachloride
“Workers may be harmed from exposure to carbon disulfide with the level of exposure depending upon the dose, duration and work being done,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Exposure can occur by breathing contaminated air, skin contact, or by drinking water or foods that contain it. NIOSH states that exposure can cause dizziness, poor sleep, headache, anxiety, anorexia, weight loss and vision changes, and that it can harm the eyes, kidneys, blood, heart, liver, nerves and skin. ATSDR reports breathing very high levels can be life threatening because of its effects on the nervous system. The agency also says breathing low levels for long periods may result in headaches, tiredness, trouble sleeping, and slight changes in the nerves. To help protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for carbon disulfide.”
EMSL Analytical offers industrial hygiene and environmental testing services to detect and monitor for occupational exposure risks to carbon disulfide and many other potential chemical hazards. Their testing facilities, located across the United States and Canada, also provide sampling supplies, respirators and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to support health and safety programs in the workplace. EMSL has even sponsored an educational video about carbon disulfide and potential occupational exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/Subn7aBxINU
To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, air quality, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with 46 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.
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