ABSTRACT
Carbon disulfide is a colorless liquid used as a solvent for a wide variety of chemicals and in the manufacture of rayon viscose fibers and cellophane. The chemical is toxic upon exposure to humans via inhalational or dermal routes. The threshold limit value-time-weighted average for carbon disulfide is 10 ppm. In laboratory animals, carbon disulfide is developmental^ toxic and teratogenic in both rats and rabbits by the inhalational route of exposure. In the human, carbon disulfide has long been considered a reproductive toxicant, affecting spermatogenesis in man and menstrual disorders in women at high concentrations. One study reported neurobehavioral abnormalities among children prenatally exposed to carbon disulfide at concentration levels encountered in the workplace, said to be up to 0.33 mg/m3. Several pertinent reviews on the subject of carbon disulfide toxicity were published. Carbon disulfide is one of the smallest nonpolar human developmental toxicants.
