PRINCIPLES OF TOXICOLOGY

Carbon disulfide is not regulated as a carcinogen in an industrial or environmental context.
Industrially important exposure to carbon disulfide may be evaluated by measurements of
2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, expressed in conjunction with urinary creatinine.
The thiazoles (see Figure 16.38), in particular benzothiazole and mercaptobenzothiazole, are used
in the rubber vulcanizing process and as fungicides. Benzothiazole occurs in such a small quantity that
it is not considered to be a major health threat. It is, however, considered moderately toxic. Mercaptobenzothiazole,
when heated, may react with oxidizing material and emit toxic decomposition
products. The main consequence of exposure is allergic contact dermatitis. This compound is
considered to be a potent allergen. Some subcutaneous tests on mice showed a possible carcinogenic
potential as well, although it is not regulated as such.
16.19 SUMMARY
As discussed in this chapter, the common toxicological effects attributed to individual solvents and
related materials include
• CNS depression and other neurotoxic effects
• Respiratory irritation
• Dermal effects, including irritation
• Nephrotoxicity
• Carcinogenicity
The emphasis of this chapter reflects chemical properties, behavior, and effects, citing examples as
appropriate. The chapter summarizes the range of chronic toxic effects that may be expected from
selected chemical classes, which should serve as a good introduction to other sources of more detailed
information. The following section provides valuable supplementary information sources related to
solvents.
REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READING
REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READING 407
ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists), Documentation of Threshold Limit Values
and Biological Exposure Indices, 5th ed., 1986–1999.
ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry), Toxicological Profiles, Atlanta, 1988–1999.
Axelson, O., and C. Hogstedt, “The health effects of solvents,” in Occupational Medicine, C. Zenz et al., eds.,
Mosby, St. Louis, MO, 1994.
Baselt, R. C., and R. H. Cravey, Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man, Chemical Toxicology Institute.
Foster City, CA, 1995.
Browning, E., Toxicology and Metabolism of Industrial Solvents, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1965.
Calabrese, E. J., and E. M. Kenyon, Air Toxics and Risk Assessment, Lewis Publishers, Chelsea, MI, 1991.
Commission of the European Communities (CEC), Solvents in Common Use: Health Risks to Workers, Royal
Society of Chemistry. London, 1988.
Clayton, G. D., and F. E. Clayton, eds., Patty’s Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume II, Toxicology, 4th ed.,
Wiley, New York, 1994.
Ekberg, K., M. Hane, and T. Berggren, “ Psychologic effects of exposure to solvents and other neurotoxic agents
in the work environment,” in Occupational Medicine. C. Zenz et al., eds., Mosby, St. Louis, MO, 1994.
Ellenhorn, M. J., Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning, 2nd ed., Williams & Wilkins,
Baltimore, 1997.
Gerr, F., and R. Letz, “ Organic solvents,” in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, 3rd ed., W. N. Rom, ed.,
Lippincott-Raven, New York, 1992.