Sulfuric acid, dimethyl ester

RTECS #

WS8225000

CAS #

77-78-1
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods

Updated

March 2019

Molecular Weight

126.14

Molecular Formula

C₂H₆O₄S

Synonyms

Dimethyl monosulfate
Dimethyl sulfate
Dimethyl sulfate (ACGIH:OSHA)
Dimethyl sulphate
Dimethylester kyseliny sirove (Czech)
Dimethylsulfaat (Dutch)
Dimethylsulfat (Czech)
Dimetilsolfato (Italian)
DMS (methyl sulfate)
Dwumetylowy siarczan (Polish)
Methyl sulfate
Methyle (sulfate de) (French)
RCRA waste number U103
Sulfate de methyle (French)
Sulfate dimethylique (French)

Skin and Eye Irritation and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
eye /rabbit	100 mg/4S rinse	severe	FCTOD7 20,573,1982
eye /rabbit	50 µg/24H	severe	85JCAE -,1079,1986
skin /rabbit	10 mg/24H open irritation test	severe	AMIHBC 4,119,1951

Mutation Data and Reference

System Test	Route/Organism/Tissue	Dose	Reference
body fluid assay	ovary/rat	300 mg/kg	MUREAV 143,263,1985
Cytogenetic Analysis	intraperitoneal/rat	350 mg/kg	NASLDX 3,187,1980
Cytogenetic Analysis	inhalation/rat	290 µg/m³/16W	GTPZAB 30(9),38,1986
Cytogenetic Analysis	unreported route/human	2 mg/m³	MUREAV 147,301,1985
Cytogenetic Analysis	inhalation/mouse	240 µg/m³/10W	GTPZAB 30(9),38,1986
Cytogenetic Analysis	Ascites tumor/mouse	10 mmol/L	BIZNAT 88,49,1970
Cytogenetic Analysis	lung/hamster	50 µmol/L	CRNGDP 3,385,1982
DNA adduct	Ascites tumor/mouse	5 µmol/L	MUREAV 89,95,1981
DNA adduct	intraperitoneal/mouse	30 mg/kg	CALEDQ 146,155,1999
DNA adduct	inhalation/rat	0.1 ppm/6H	INHTE5 16,581,2004
DNA adduct	HeLa cell/human	5 µmol/L	MUREAV 89,95,1981
DNA adduct	/Escherichia coli	5 µmol/L	MUREAV 89,95,1981
DNA Damage	/Other microorganisms	100 mmol/L	CBINA8 14,101,1976
DNA Damage	/Other microorganisms	200 mg/L	CBINA8 13,151,1976
DNA Damage	/Bacillus subtilis	130 mmol/L	MUREAV 9,141,1970
DNA Damage	lymphocyte/human	1 mmol/L	JACTDZ 1(3),125,1982
DNA Damage	fibroblast/human	100 µmol/L	CRNGDP 4,559,1983
DNA Damage	liver/rat	100 µmol/L/3H	MUREAV 629,49,2007
DNA Damage	/Saccharomyes cerevisiae	13.3 mg/L/17H	MUREAV 633,80,2007
DNA Damage	intraperitoneal/mouse	100 mg/kg	MUREAV 467,83,2000
DNA Damage	intravenous/rat	80 mg/kg	MUREAV 75,63,1980
DNA Damage	liver/rat	30 µmol/L	MUREAV 189,69,1987
DNA Damage	inhalation/mouse	20 µg/kg	PCBPBS 6,101,1976
DNA Damage	lung/hamster	800 µmol/L/1H-continuous	CRNGDP 1,795,1980
DNA inhibition	oral/mouse	20 gm/kg	ARGEAR 51,605,1981
DNA inhibition	intraperitoneal/mouse	100 mg/kg	MUREAV 46,305,1977
DNA inhibition	HeLa cell/human	2 mmol/L	MUREAV 92,427,1982
DNA inhibition	fibroblast/human	75 µmol/L	CRNGDP 4,559,1983
DNA repair	/Escherichia coli	331 µmol/L	MUREAV 272,145,1992
DNA repair	/Other microorganisms	640 µg/plate	BIZNAT 95,463,1976
gene conversion and mitotic recombination	/Saccharomyes cerevisiae	1900 µmol/L	SOGEBZ 17,915,1981
host-mediated assay	Salmonella typhimurium/mouse	2500 µmol/kg	CBINA8 19,241,1977
micronucleus test	ovary/hamster	58.5 mg/L/24H	MUREAV 633,80,2007
micronucleus test	intraperitoneal/mouse	12500 µg/kg/48H- intermittent	MUREAV 389,3,1997
mutation in mammalian somatic cells	ovary/hamster	20 µmol/L	MUREAV 57,217,1978
mutation in mammalian somatic cells	lung/hamster	1 mg/L/1H	CRNGDP 1,175,1980
mutation in microorganisms	/Schizosaccharomyces pombe	590 µmol/L (-enzymatic activation step)	CBINA8 14,195,1976
mutation in microorganisms	/Neurospora crassa	1000 ppm/13M (-enzymatic activation step)	GENTAE 67,189,1971
mutation in microorganisms	/Saccharomyes cerevisiae	500 ppm/12M (-enzymatic activation step)	GENTAE 78,1101,1974
mutation in microorganisms	/Other microorganisms	1000 ppm/13M (-enzymatic activation step)	GENTAE 67,189,1971
mutation in microorganisms	/Other microorganisms	250 ppm (-enzymatic activation step)	SOGEBZ 8,412,1972
mutation in microorganisms	/Other microorganisms	2 mmol/L (-enzymatic activation step)	HEREAY 46,279,1960
mutation in microorganisms	/Salmonella typhimurium	10 µmol/plate (+enzymatic activation step)	CBINA8 19,241,1977
mutation in microorganisms	/Salmonella typhimurium	4300 nmol/L/1H (-enzymatic activation step)	PNASA6 75,4465,1978
mutation in microorganisms	/Escherichia coli	20 µmol/L (-enzymatic activation step)	ARTODN 46,277,1980
other mutation test systems	/Escherichia coli	2 nmol/tube	PNASA6 79,5971,1982
other mutation test systems	/Salmonella typhimurium	38 mg/L	MUREAV 192,239,1987
other mutation test systems	/Other microorganisms	100 mmol/L	CBINA8 14,101,1976
phage inhibition capacity	/Escherichia coli	65 mmol/L	PRLBA4 150,497,1959
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunction	oral/Drosophila melanogaster	3800 µmol/L	NATUAS 203,1404,1964
sister chromatid exchange	lung/hamster	10 µmol/L	CRNGDP 3,385,1982
sister chromatid exchange	fibroblast/human	1 µmol/L	MUREAV 75,63,1980
specific locus test	oral/Drosophila melanogaster	5 mmol/L	MUREAV 182,243,1987
Unscheduled DNA Synthesis	lymphocyte/human	10 µmol/L	CRNGDP 13,1285,1992
Unscheduled DNA Synthesis	fibroblast/human	50 µmol/L	CRNGDP 4,559,1983
Unscheduled DNA Synthesis	HeLa cell/human	400 µmol/L	MUREAV 139,155,1984
Unscheduled DNA Synthesis	lung/hamster	40 mg/L	CBINA8 15,117,1976
Unscheduled DNA Synthesis	liver/rat	100 µmol/L	ENMUDM 3,11,1981

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
intravenous/rat	100 mg/kg (15D pregnant)	Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetal death	IARCCD 4,45,1973

Tumorigenic Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 17 mg/m³/19W- intermittent	Tumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria Olfaction: Tumors Blood: Lymphoma including Hodgkin's disease	ZEKBAI 74,241,1970
intravenous/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 20 mg/kg (15D pregnant)	Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria Reproductive: Tumorigenic effects: Transplacental tumorigenesis Brain and Coverings: Tumors	IARCCD 4,45,1973
subcutaneous/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 50 mg/kg	Tumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria Tumorigenic: Tumors at site of application	ZEKBAI 74,241,1970

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
In Vitro/Human, monocyte	Inhibitor Concentration (20 percent kill): 78 µmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc.	TOLED5 199,51,2010
In Vitro/Human, monocyte	Inhibitor Concentration (20 percent kill): 78 µmol/L/2H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Other assays	TOLED5 199,51,2010
inhalation/guinea pig	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 32 ppm/1H		85JCAE -,1079,1986
inhalation/human	Lowest published lethal concentration: 97 ppm/10M		34ZIAG -,226,1969
inhalation/mouse	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 280 mg/m³	Olfaction: Other olfaction effects Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity) Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression	GTPZAB 23(3),28,1979
inhalation/rat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 45 mg/m³/4H	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cyanosis Blood: Hemorrhage	GTPZAB 24(11),55,1980
intravenous/rabbit	lowest published lethal dose: 50 mg/kg	Behavioral: Muscle contraction or spasticity	AEXPBL 47,113,1902
oral/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 140 mg/kg		GTPZAB 23(3),28,1979
oral/rabbit	lowest published lethal dose: 45 mg/kg	Behavioral: Food intake (animal)	AEXPBL 47,113,1902
oral/rat	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 205 mg/kg		GTPZAB 23(3),28,1979
subcutaneous/rabbit	lowest published lethal dose: 53 mg/kg	Behavioral: Muscle contraction or spasticity Skin: After systemic exposure: Dermatitis, other	AEXPBL 47,113,1902
subcutaneous/rat	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 100 mg/kg		ZEKBAI 74,241,1970

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 1.5 ppm/5D- intermittent	Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain	INHTE5 16,581,2004
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 0.7 ppm/2W- intermittent	Olfaction: Ulcerated nasal septum Olfaction: Other olfaction effects Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation	INHTE5 16,581,2004

Reviews

Organization	Standard	Reference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)	Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 0.1 ppm (skin)	DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)	Threshold Limit Value-Confirmed animal carcinogen	DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Animal Sufficient Evidence	IMEMDT 4,271,1974
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Animal Sufficient Evidence	IMEMDT 71,575,1999
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Human Inadequate Evidence	IMEMDT 4,271,1974
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Human Inadequate Evidence	IMEMDT 71,575,1999
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Group 2A	IMEMDT 71,575,1999
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		85CVA2 5,63,1970
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 543,201,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		CHHSA* 9,6,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		FCTOD7 44,1699,2006
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 721,27,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUTAEX 25,3,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 763,294,2015
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		RTOPDW 54,247,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUTAEX 33,179,2018

Standards and Regulations

Organization	Standard	Reference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-air	time-weighted average 1 ppm (5 mg/m³) (skin)	DTLVS* 3,92,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIA	time-weighted average 0.1 ppm (0.52 mg/m³), Carcinogen, JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIA	TRK-TMW 0.02 ppm (0.1 mg/m³);KZW 0.08 ppm (0.4 mg/m³), skin, production, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIA	TRK-TMW 0.04 ppm (0.2 mg/m³);KZW 0.16 ppm (0.8 mg/m³), skin, use and handl, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUM	time-weighted average 0.1 ppm (0.53 mg/m³), Skin, Carcinogen, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARK	time-weighted average 0.01 ppm (0.05 mg/m³), skin, carc, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLAND	short term exposure limit 0.01 ppm (0.052 mg/m³), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCE	VME 0.1 ppm (0.5 mg/m³), C2 Carcinogen, FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARY	ceiling concentration 0.1 mg/m³, Skin, Carcinogen, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELAND	time-weighted average 0.01 ppm (0.05 mg/m³), carc, skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPAN	Occupational Exposure Limit 0.1 ppm (0.52 mg/m³), skin, 2A carc, MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREA	time-weighted average 0.1 ppm (0.5 mg/m³), skin, 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICO	time-weighted average 0.1 ppm (0.52 mg/m³), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALAND	time-weighted average 0.05 ppm (0.26 mg/m³), skin, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAY	time-weighted average 0.01 ppm (0.05 mg/m³), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERU	time-weighted average 0.1 ppm (0.52 mg/m³), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLAND	MAC(time-weighted average) 0.5 mg/m³, MAC(short term exposure limit) 1 mg/m³, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIA	short term exposure limit 0.1 mg/m³, Skin, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDEN	Group B Carcinogen, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLAND	MAK-week 0.02 ppm (0.1 mg/m³), carc 2, skin, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEY	time-weighted average 0.1 ppm (0.5 mg/m³), Skin, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOM	time-weighted average 0.05 ppm (0.26 mg/m³), skin, OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)	8H time-weighted average 1 ppm (5 mg/m³) (skin)	CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)	8H time-weighted average 1 ppm (5 mg/m³) (skin)	CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)	8H time-weighted average 1 ppm (5 mg/m³) (skin)	CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)	8H time-weighted average 1 ppm (5 mg/m³) (skin)	CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

Organization	Standard	Reference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO DIMETHYL SULFATE-air	8H Carcinogen time-weighted average 0.1 ppm (Sk)	NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983	Hazard Code 26880; Number of Industries 5; Total Number of Facilities 185; Number of Occupations 23; Total Number of Employees Exposed 10481; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 2455
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974	Hazard Code 26880; Number of Industries 3; Total Number of Facilities 83; Number of Occupations 5; Total Number of Employees Exposed 1249

Status in Federal Agencies

Organization	Reference
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Inconclusive: Histidine reversion-Ames test
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Negative: D melanogaster-partial sex chrom. loss
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive/dose response: In vitro SCE-human
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive: Aspergillus-forward mutation; Carcinogenicity-mouse/rat
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive: D melanogaster-reciprocal translocation
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive: D melanogaster-whole sex chrom. loss
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive: Host-mediated assay; E coli polA without S9
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive: In vitro cytogenetics-nonhuman
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive: In vitro SCE-nonhuman; D melanogaster Sex-linked lethal
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive: S cerevisiae-reversion; S pombe-reversion
EPA TSCA 8(a) PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT INFORMATION, FINAL RULE	FEREAC 47,26992,82
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Dimethyl sulfate, 2524
NTP 14th Report on Carcinogens,2016:Reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogen
On EPA IRIS database

Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018

Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health