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Common Name: Dimethyl Sulfate
Chemical Formula: C2H6O4S
Appearance: Clear, oily liquid
Odor: Slightly aromatic, but hardly noticeable at dangerous levels
Acute Hazards: Severe respiratory irritant, toxic through skin contact and inhalation, rapidly absorbed with possibly fatal consequences
Long-Term Risks: May cause severe organ damage, confirmed carcinogen, possibly mutagenic and teratogenic
NFPA Ratings: Health 4, Flammability 2, Instability 1
Key Symptoms: Eye and skin burns, pulmonary edema, nausea, unconsciousness if exposure is significant
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation dominates; skin and eye contact likely in a spill or industrial accident
Main Component: Dimethyl Sulfate (100% pure or technical grade, no usual stabilizers or added solvents)
CAS Registry Number: 77-78-1
Inhalation: Remove from area, supply oxygen or artificial respiration if breathing has stopped, seek immediate professional medical attention
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, flush skin with lots of water for at least 15 minutes, never delay treatment
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes thoroughly under running water for 15 minutes, eyelids held open, followed by urgent medical care
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water if conscious, get emergency medical help
Unique Precautions: Symptom onset may be delayed; observation critical even if victim seems unaffected at first
Suitable Extinguishing Agents: Dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide; never use water directly on spill due to possible splattering
Hazardous Combustion Products: Emits toxic gases including sulfur oxides and carbon oxides
Protective Equipment: Full bunker gear and self-contained breathing apparatus; DMS vapors can overcome responders quickly in an enclosed space
Special Instructions: Keep containers cool, use water spray on surroundings, stay upwind, isolate area
Evacuation: Remove non-essential personnel
Personal Protective Gear: Chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof goggles, full chemical suit, positive pressure respirator
Containment: Absorb spill with inert materials such as vermiculite, never use sawdust or other organic absorbents
Clean-Up: Scoop up absorbed material and place in tightly closed drum for approved disposal
Ventilation: Maximize air flow in the area, prevent vapor buildup
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into water sources or sewers, notify environmental agencies if a large spill threatens public health
Handling: Keep away from incompatibles like strong bases, water, and oxidizers; do not breathe vapor, avoid all contact with skin or eyes
Storage: Store in tightly sealed, corrosion-resistant containers under dry, well-ventilated conditions, controlled room temperature
Work Practices: Use only in fume hood or enclosed system, always label storage containers, post warnings wherever DMS is present
Engineering Controls: Chemical fume hood required, local exhaust ventilation strongly recommended
Personal Protection: Nitrile or neoprene gloves, splash-proof goggles, full length clothing, face shield, fit-tested respirators with organic vapor cartridges if airborne risk exists
Workplace Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 0.1 ppm (inhalable fraction and vapor), OSHA PEL: 0.1 ppm
Hygiene: Prohibit eating, drinking, and smoking in work areas, enforce regular hand washing after handling
Physical State: Liquid
Color: Colorless to pale yellow
Boiling Point: 188 °C
Melting Point: -32 °C
Density: 1.33 g/cm³ at 20°C
Vapor Pressure: 0.6 mmHg at 20°C
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, miscible with many organic solvents
Odor Threshold: Detection often impossible before danger limits surpassed
Chemical Stability: Relatively stable in recommended storage; breaks down under heat, light, or in presence of moisture
Incompatibility: Strong bases, water, alcohols, amines, oxidizing agents
Hazardous Reactions: Violently reacts with water and alcohols, can produce heat and explosion risk
Decomposition: Toxic gases like sulfur oxides and methanol possible in fires or strong reactions
Acute Toxicity: LD50 oral (rat): approx. 140 mg/kg; extremely harmful at low doses
Inhalation Risks: Severe lung injury, possible death within hours after significant exposure
Skin and Eye Effects: Blistering, ulceration, irreversible eye damage if splashed
Chronic Effects: Carcinogen in laboratory tests, causes DNA mutations, fertility effects reported
Delayed Symptoms: Cough, chest pain, and airway swelling can develop after a lag of up to 24 hours following exposure
Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates
Persistence and Degradability: Slow to break down, can persist in sediments
Bioaccumulation: Considered low, rapidly breaks down in tissues, but acute risks to aquatic systems remain
Impact on Wastewater: DMS causes serious risk to treatment plant biology and downstream rivers if not fully contained
Preferred Methods: Chemical incineration at approved facilities, never pour into drains or environment
Container Disposal: Empty containers hold dangerous vapors, require complete decontamination or incineration
Legal Requirements: Treat as hazardous waste, ensure all regulations at local, state, and national level followed in disposal
UN Number: UN 1595
Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: I
Shipping Restrictions: Requires specialized containment, must declare hazard class, shipping documentation and placards mandatory
Carcinogen Listing: Classified under IARC and NTP as a known carcinogen
Reporting Requirements: Subject to reporting under EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory and SARA Title III
Labeling: Must be labeled Toxic, Corrosive, Environmental Hazard
Workplace Rules: OSHA mandates engineering controls, PPE, detailed employee training, and exposure monitoring
Community Right-to-Know: Facilities must notify local emergency responders and the public of large-scale use or storage
