The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances

Methyl sulfoxide

RTECS #: PV6210000

CAS #: 67-68-5

UPDATE: May 2005 MW: 78.14 MF: C2H6OS


NOTE:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
  1. SYNONYMS:
  2. SKIN AND EYE IRRITATION DATA:
  3. MUTATION DATA:
  4. REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS DATA:
  5. TUMORIGENIC DATA:
  6. ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:
  7. OTHER MULTIPLE DOSE DATA:
  8. REVIEWS:
  9. STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS:
  10. NIOSH DOCUMENTATION AND SURVEILLANCE:
  11. STATUS IN FEDERAL AGENCIES:
  12. REFERENCES:

SYNONYMS:

  1. Dimethyl sulfoxide
  2. Dimethyl sulphoxide
  3. Dimexide
  4. Dipirartril - tropico
  5. DMS - 70
  6. DMS - 90
  7. DMSO
  8. Dolicur
  9. Domoso
  10. Dromisol
  11. Durasorb
  12. A 10846
  13. Deltan
  14. Demeso
  15. Demasorb
  16. Demavet
  1. Demsodrox
  2. Dermasorb
  3. Gamasol 90
  4. Hyadur
  5. Infiltrina
  6. M 176
  7. Methane, sulfinylbis -
  8. Methylsulfinylmethane
  9. Somipront
  10. SQ 9453
  11. Topsym
  12. NSC - 763
  13. Rimso - 50
  14. Sulfinylbis (methane)
  15. Syntexan


SKIN AND EYE IRRITATION DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
eye
rabbit 		100 mg N/R TXAPA9 39,129,1977
eye
rabbit 		500 mg/24 hour mild 85JCAE -,1044,1986
skin
rabbit 		10 mg/24 hour open irritation test mild AIHAAP 23,95,1962
skin
rabbit 		500 mg/24 hour mild 85JCAE -,1044,1986


MUTATION DATA AND REFERENCES:

SYSTEM TEST ROUTE/
ORGANISM/
TISSUE 		DOSE REFERENCE
cytogenetic analysis hamster ovary 19 pph MUREAV 88,397,1981
cytogenetic analysis hamster lung 1 pph MUREAV 42,109,1977
cytogenetic analysis mouse lymphocyte 93 gm/L MUREAV 222,191,1989
cytogenetic analysis intraperitoneal
rat 		25 gm/kg/5 day TCMUD8 1,141,1980
DNA damage intraperitoneal
mouse 		75 mmol/kg CRNGDP 5,319,1984
mutation in microorganisms Escherichia coli 551 gm/L (-enzymatic activation step) MUREAV 130,97,1984
mutation in microorganisms other microorganisms 111 gm/L (-enzymatic activation step) HEREAY 99,209,1983
mutation in microorganisms Salmonella typhimurium 25 pph (+enzymatic activation step) MUREAV 303,127,1993
mutation in microorganisms Saccharomyes cerevisiae 8 pph (-enzymatic activation step) BBRCA9 49,1336,1972
mutation in microorganisms Saccharomyes cerevisiae 1,400 mmol/L (+enzymatic activation step) MUREAV 45,309,1977
mutation in mammalian somatic cells mouse lymphocyte 1 mole/L MUTAEX 3,193,1988
other mutation test systems human lymphocyte 140 mmol/L PNASA6 79,1171,1982
other mutation test systems Salmonella typhimurium 70 gm/L MUREAV 192,239,1987
phage inhibition capacity Escherichia coli 6,200 ppm MUREAV 263,107,1991
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunction oral
Drosophila melanogaster 		700 ppm MUREAV 259,147,1991
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunction Saccharomyes cerevisiae 118 gm/L MUREAV 224,31,1989


REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
intraperitoneal
hamster 		lowest published toxic dose: 5,500 mg/kg (8 day pregnant) Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Central nervous system

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Craniofacial (including nose and tongue) 		JEEMAF 16,49,1966
intraperitoneal
hamster 		lowest published toxic dose: 4,400 mg/kg (8 day pregnant) Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetal death

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Central nervous system 		LANCAO 1,208,1966
intraperitoneal
mouse 		lowest published toxic dose: 210 gm/kg (6-12 day pregnant) Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Central nervous system

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system 		ANYAA9 141,110,1967
intraperitoneal
mouse 		lowest published toxic dose: 5,500 mg/kg (10 day pregnant) Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system 		AUCMBJ 61,131,1973
intraperitoneal
mouse 		lowest published toxic dose: 8,250 mg/kg (10 day pregnant) Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants) AUCMBJ 61,131,1973
intraperitoneal
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 56 gm/kg (6-12 day pregnant) Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Abortion ANYAA9 141,110,1967
intraperitoneal
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 6,600 mg/kg (7-15 day pregnant) Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants) ZPPLBF 116,131,1977
intravenous
hamster 		lowest published toxic dose: 2,500 mg/kg (8 day pregnant) Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Central nervous system

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Craniofacial (including nose and tongue)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system 		JEEMAF 16,49,1966
intravenous
hamster 		lowest published toxic dose: 2,500 mg/kg (8 day pregnant) Reproductive: Other developmental abnormalities JEEMAF 16,49,1966
intravenous
mouse 		lowest published toxic dose: 240 gm/kg (1-20 day pregnant) Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants) COREAF 260,327,1965
oral
hamster 		lowest published toxic dose: 11 gm/kg (7 day pregnant) Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Central nervous system

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system 		TXAPA9 15,152,1969
oral
mouse 		lowest published toxic dose: 16 mg/kg (5-9 day pregnant) Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Pre- implantation mortality (e.g., reduction in number of implants per female; total number of implants per corpora lutea)

Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system 		RCOCB8 82,371,1993
subcutaneous
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 30,750 mg/kg (8-10 day pregnant) Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)

Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Litter size (e.g., # fetuses per litter; measured before birth) 		PSEBAA 125,567,1967


TUMORIGENIC DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
oral
mouse 		lowest published toxic dose: 65,340 mg/kg/66 week- intermittent Tumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Blood: Leukemia

Skin and Appendages: Tumors 		GTPZAB 28(5),39,1984
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 59 gm/kg/81 week- intermittent Tumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Skin and Appendages: Tumors 		GTPZAB 28(5),39,1984
subcutaneous
mouse 		lowest published toxic dose: 66 gm/kg/66 week- intermittent Tumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors

Skin and Appendages: Tumors 		GTPZAB 28(5),39,1984
subcutaneous
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 220 gm/kg/82 week- intermittent Tumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Skin and Appendages: Tumors 		GTPZAB 28(5),39,1984


ACUTE TOXICITY DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
intraperitoneal
guinea pig 		lowest published lethal dose: >5,500 mg/kg N/R JPPMAB 15,688,1963
intraperitoneal
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2,500 mg/kg N/R RPTOAN 35,300,1972
intraperitoneal
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 8,200 mg/kg N/R FCTOD7 22,665,1984
intraperitoneal
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 200 mg/kg Endocrine: Other changes ANYAA9 -,325,1975
intravenous
cat 		lowest published lethal dose: 200 mg/kg Behavioral: Altered sleep time (including change in righting reflex) ARZNAD 28,1571,1978
intravenous
dog 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2,500 mg/kg Cardiac: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Hematuria

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes 		CNCRA6 31,7,1963
intravenous
man 		lowest published toxic dose: 606 mg/kg Gastrointestinal: Nausea or vomiting

Liver: Jaundice, other or unclassified 		LANCAO 2,1004,1980
intravenous
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3,100 mg/kg Eye: Hemorrhage

Eye: Conjunctiva irritation 		TXAPA9 15,74,1969
intravenous
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 5,360 mg/kg Behavioral: Tremor

Behavioral: Muscle weakness

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		TXAPA9 7,104,1965
oral
wild bird 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 100 mg/kg N/R TXAPA9 21,315,1972
oral
chicken 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 12 gm/kg N/R JPPMAB 15,688,1963
oral
dog 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): >10 gm/kg N/R ANYAA9 141,96,1967
oral
guinea pig 		lowest published lethal dose: >11 gm/kg N/R JPPMAB 15,688,1963
oral
mammal (species unspecified) 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 21,400 mg/kg N/R GISAAA 39(4),86,1974
oral
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 7,920 mg/kg N/R CHTPBA 3,10,1968
oral
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 14,500 mg/kg Eye: Hemorrhage

Eye: Conjunctiva irritation 		TXAPA9 15,74,1969
subcutaneous
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 14 gm/kg Behavioral: Change in motor activity (specific assay)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Hematuria 		ANYAA9 141,96,1967
subcutaneous
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 12 gm/kg Behavioral: Change in motor activity (specific assay)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		ARZNAD 14,1050,1964
skin
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 50 gm/kg N/R ANYAA9 141,96,1967
skin
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 40 gm/kg N/R ANYAA9 141,96,1967
skin
woman 		lowest published toxic dose: 1,800 mg/kg Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cyanosis

Blood: Other changes 		VHTODE 40,87,1998
unreported route
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 12 gm/kg N/R USXXAM #4767763
unreported route
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1,300 mg/kg N/R NTIS** AD-A159-418


OTHER MULTIPLE DOSE DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
intraperitoneal
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 192 gm/kg/4 week- intermittent Blood: Normocytic anemia

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field 		TXAPA9 7,104,1965
intraperitoneal
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 3,600 mg/kg/10 day- intermittent Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Sensory change involving peripheral nerve TOLED5 132,117,2002
intraperitoneal
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 12 mL/kg/3 day- intermittent Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Hepatic microsomal mixed oxidase (dealkylation, hydroxylation, etc.) BJPCBM 139,787,2003
intravenous
dog 		lowest published toxic dose: 57,600 mg/kg/4 week- intermittent Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Hematuria

Blood: Normocytic anemia

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field 		TXAPA9 7,104,1965
ocular
rabbit 		lowest published toxic dose: 250 µg/kg/30 day- intermittent Eye: Other eye effects JTOTDO 2,193,1983
oral
dog 		lowest published toxic dose: 6,570 mL/kg/2 year- intermittent Eye: Other eye effects

Blood: Changes in erythrocyte (RBC) count

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other proteins 		TXCYAC 3,143,1975
oral
monkey 		lowest published toxic dose: 4,864 gm/kg/78 week- intermittent Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field TXAPA9 16,606,1970
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 1,070 gm/kg/13 week- intermittent Blood: Other changes

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field 		ARZNAD 14,1050,1964
skin
dog 		lowest published toxic dose: 389 gm/kg/17 week- continuous Eye: Changes in refraction

Eye: Other eye effects 		JPETAB 170,364,1969
skin
pig 		lowest published toxic dose: 4,698 mL/kg/58 week- intermittent Eye: Changes in refraction

Behavioral: Fluid intake 		TXCYAC 3,143,1975


REVIEWS:

ORGANIZATION STANDARD
REFERENCE
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW
ANYAA9 243,98,1975
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW
CRTXB2 1(1),93,1971
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW
ARZNAD 17,1553,1967
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW
TOLED5 127,135,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW
BCPCA6 64,1035,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW
TOLED5 127,269,2002


STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS:

ORGANIZATION STANDARD
REFERENCE
Occupational Exposure Limit - GERMANY No MAK Established, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - RUSSIA short term exposure limit 20 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit - SWEDEN time-weighted average 50 ppm (150 mg/m3), KTV 150 ppm (500 mg/m3), Skin, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - SWITZERLAND MAK- week 50 ppm (160 mg/m3), Skin, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - THE NETHERLANDS MAC-TGG 150 mg/m3, Skin, 2003


NIOSH DOCUMENTATION AND SURVEILLANCE:

ORGANIZATION STANDARD or SURVEY
REFERENCE
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974 National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974: Hazard Code: 80564;
Number of Industries 11;
Total Number of Facilities 476;
Number of Occupations 25;
Total Number of Employees Exposed 22,461
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983 National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983: Hazard Code: 80564;
Number of Industries 29;
Total Number of Facilities 3,507;
Number of Occupations 40;
Total Number of Employees Exposed 44,947;
Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 16,837


STATUS IN FEDERAL AGENCIES:

ORGANIZATION
REFERENCE
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive: Aspergillus-aneuploidy; S cerevisiae gene conversion
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Negative: SHE-clonal assay; Cell transform.-mouse embryo
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Negative: Cell transform.-RLV F344 rat embryo
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Negative: D melanogaster-whole sex chrom. loss; Host-mediated assay
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Negative: N crassa-aneuploidy; E coli polA with S9
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Negative: Histidine reversion-Ames test; In vitro SCE-nonhuman
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Negative: D melanogaster Sex-linked lethal
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Inconclusive: Aspergillus-recombination; Carcinogenicity-mouse/rat
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Inconclusive: D melanogaster-reciprocal translocation
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Inconclusive: Rodent dominant lethal; B subtilis rec assay
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Inconclusive: E coli polA without S9
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
Used as solvent and in the preparation of VANILLIN from LIGNIN, also as an antifreeze
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001


REFERENCES:

CODEN
REFERENCE
85JCAE "Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie; Organicke Latky," Marhold, J., Prague, Czechoslovakia, Avicenum, 1986
AIHAAP American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal. (AIHA, 475 Wolf Ledges Pkwy., Akron, OH 44311) V.19- 1958-
ANYAA9 Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. (New York Academy of Sciences, 2 E. 63rd St., New York, NY 10021) V.1- 1877-
ARZNAD Arzneimittel-Forschung. Drug Research. (Editio Cantor Verlag, Postfach 1255, W-7960 Aulendorf, Fed. Rep. Ger.) V.1- 1951-
AUCMBJ Acta Universitatis Carolinae, Medica, Monographia. (Univerzita Karlova, Ovocny Trh. 3, 11636 Prague 1, Czechoslovakia) No.1- 1954-
BBRCA9 Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 1959-
BCPCA6 Biochemical Pharmacology. (Pergamon Press Inc., Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, NY 10523) V.1- 1958-
BJPCBM British Journal of Pharmacology. (Macmillan Press Ltd., Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hants. RG21 2XS, UK) V.34- 1968-
CHTPBA Chimica Therapeutica. (Paris, France) V.1-8, 1965-73. For publisher information, see EJMCA5.
CNCRA6 Cancer Chemotherapy Reports. (Bethesda, MD) V.1-52, 1959-68. For publisher information, see CTRRDO.
COREAF Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Seances, Academie des Sciences. (Paris, France) V.1-261, 1835-1965. For publisher information, see CRASEV.
CRNGDP Carcinogenesis (London). (Oxford Univ. Press, Pinkhill House, Southfield Road, Eynsham, Oxford OX8 1JJ, UK) V.1- 1980-
CRTXB2 CRC Critical Reviews in Toxicology. (CRC Press, Inc., 2000 Corporate Blvd., NW, Boca Raton, FL 33431) V.1- 1971-
FCTOD7 Food and Chemical Toxicology. (Pergamon Press Inc., Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, NY 10523) V.20- 1982-
GISAAA Gigiena i Sanitariya. For English translation, see HYSAAV. (V/O Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga, 113095 Moscow, USSR) V.1- 1936-
GTPZAB Gigiena Truda i Professional'nye Zabolevaniya. Labor Hygiene and Occupational Diseases. (V/O Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga, 113095 Moscow, USSR) V.1-36, 1957-1992. For publisher information, see MTPEEI
HEREAY Hereditas (Lund, Sweden). (Gjoerloffsgatan 121, S-261 34 Landskrona, Sweden) V.1- 1947-
JEEMAF Journal of Embryology and Experimental Morphology. (Essex, UK) V.1-98, 1953-86. For Publisher information, see DEVPED
JPETAB Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. (Williams & Wilkins Co., 428 E. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21202) V.1- 1909/10-
JPPMAB Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. (Pharmaceutical Soc. of Great Britain, 1 Lambeth High St., London SEI 7JN, UK) V.1- 1949-
JTOTDO Journal of Toxicology, Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology. (Marcel Dekker, 270 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016) V.1- 1982-
LANCAO Lancet. (7 Adam St., London WC2N 6AD, UK) V.1- 1823-
MUREAV Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 1964-
MUTAEX Mutagenesis. (Oxford Univ. Press, Pinkhill House, Southfield Road, Eynsham, Oxford OX8 1JJ, UK) V.1- 1986-
NTIS** National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information.
PNASA6 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. (National Academy of Sciences, Printing & Pub. Office, 2101 Constitution Ave., Washington, DC 20418) V.1- 1915-
PSEBAA Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 1903/04-
RCOCB8 Research Communications in Chemical Pathology and Pharmacology. (PJD Pub. Ltd., P.O. Box 966, Westbury, NY 11590) V.1- 1970-
RPTOAN Russian Pharmacology and Toxicology (English Translation). Translation of FATOAO. (Euromed Pub., 33, Woodlands Rd., Surbiton, Surrey, UK) V.30- 1967-
TCMUD8 Teratogenesis, Carcinogenesis, and Mutagenesis. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.1- 1980-
TOLED5 Toxicology Letters. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 1977-
TXAPA9 Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 1959-
TXCYAC Toxicology. (Elsevier Scientific Pub. Ireland, Ltd., POB 85, Limerick, Ireland) V.1- 1973-
USXXAM United States Patent Document. (U.S. Patent Office, Box 9, Washington, DC 20231)
VHTODE Veterinary and Human Toxicology. (American College of Veterinary and Comparative Toxicology, Publication Office, Comparative Toxicology, Manhattan, KS 66506) V.19- 1977-
ZPPLBF Zentralblatt fuer Pharmazie, Pharmakotherapie und Laboratoriums-diagnostik. (VEB Verlag Volk und Gesundheit, Neue Gruenstr. 18, 102 Berlin, Ger. Dem. Rep.) V.109- 1970-

Used as solvent and in the preparation of VANILLIN from LIGNIN, also as an antifreeze

FDA-proprietary drug

RTECS Compound Description:
   Tumorigen
   Drug
   Mutagen
   Reproductive Effector
   Human Data
   Primary Irritant

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