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1005546 
Journal Article 
On the effect and toxicity of dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide and methyl mercaptan 
Ljunggren, G; Norberg, B 
1943 
Yes 
Acta Physiologica Scandinavica
ISSN: 0001-6772
EISSN: 1365-201X 
5 
2-3 
248-255 
English 
The toxic effects produced by exposure to dimethyl-sulfide (75183), dimethyl-disulfide (624920), and methyl-mercaptan (74931) were studied in rats. Female white-rats underwent gas chamber exposures to dimethyl-sulfide, dimethyl-disulfide, and methyl-mercaptan at concentrations of 3 to 140, 7.1 to 26, and 1 to 20 milligrams per liter, respectively, for periods of 30 to 35 minutes. Dimethyl-sulfide irritated the mucous membranes, as well as paralyzing the voluntary and respiratory muscles, with a 15 minute exposure at 5 percent by volume causing death. Dimethyl-disulfide produced a higher degree of local irritation than dimethyl-sulfide, resulting in convulsions and macroscopically visible ecchymoses in the lungs. Paralysis of locomotion and external respiration occurred, with a 15 minute exposure at 0.5 percent by volume causing death. Methyl-mercaptan resulted in the more or less pronounced paralysis of locomotion of respiration, with signs of local irritation being found in the lungs at autopsy. Exposure to methyl-mercaptan for a period of 15 minutes at a concentration of 0.5 percent by volume caused death. The authors conclude that the toxic effects of the sulfides tested are primarily the same as those of hydrogen-sulfide, with dimethyl-disulfide being the most toxic, followed by methyl-mercaptan, and dimethyl-sulfide. 
DCN-143959; Toxic effects; Mortality rates; Exposure levels; Laboratory techniques; Drugs; Lung disorders; Physiological response; Inhalants; Laboratory animals