Is Carbon disulfide (CS₂) safe for babies and kids?
Elevated risk for kidsInfants are vulnerable to Carbon disulfide (CS₂) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.
What is carbon disulfide (cs₂)?
The IUPAC name is methanedithione.
Also known as: methanedithione, CARBON DISULFIDE, Carbon disulphide, Carbon bisulfide.
- IUPAC name
- methanedithione
- CAS number
- 75-15-0
- Molecular formula
- CS2
- Molecular weight
- 76.15 g/mol
- SMILES
- C(=S)=S
- PubChem CID
- 6348
Risk for babies
Elevated riskInfants are vulnerable to Carbon disulfide (CS₂) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.
Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Elevated riskOccupational and household exposure to Carbon disulfide (CS₂) during pregnancy is associated with developmental toxicity. Solvents readily cross the placenta and can cause fetal growth restriction.
Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.
Regulatory consensus
15 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Carbon disulfide (CS₂). The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | — | Group 3 | |
| NIOSH | — | Occupational exposure limit | |
| OSHA | — | Occupational exposure limit | |
| Multiple | — | Reproductive toxicant | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 2 positive / 7 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 2 positive / 7 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Eye Irrit. 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin Irrit. 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Eye Irrit. 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin Irrit. 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 6.4A (Category 2A) (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 6.3A (Category 2) (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA): Not likely to be sensitizing (score: low) |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where kids encounter carbon disulfide (cs₂)
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Carbon disulfide (CS₂):
-
Water-based formulations where feasible
Trade-offs: Longer drying time. May not achieve same performance in all applications.Relative cost: 0.8-1.5×
-
Bio-based solvents (d-limonene, ethyl lactate)
Trade-offs: Higher cost. Flammability concerns with some bio-solvents.Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
Frequently asked questions
Is carbon disulfide (cs₂) safe for kids?
Infants are vulnerable to Carbon disulfide (CS₂) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.
What products contain carbon disulfide (cs₂)?
Carbon disulfide (CS₂) appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
What should I do if my child is exposed to carbon disulfide (cs₂)?
Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.
Why do regulators disagree about carbon disulfide (cs₂)?
Carbon disulfide (CS₂) has been classified by 15 agencies including IARC, NIOSH, OSHA, Multiple, EPA CTX / Genetox, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.
See Carbon disulfide (CS₂) in the baby app
Look up products containing carbon disulfide (cs₂), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (3)
- ATSDR Toxicological Profile: Carbon Disulfide — Neurotoxicity, Cardiovascular Effects, Reproductive Toxicity, Occupational Exposure, Viscose Rayon Industry Cohorts (1996) — regulatory
- NIOSH Criteria Document: Occupational Exposure to Carbon Disulfide — REL 1 ppm, Peripheral Neuropathy, Coronary Heart Disease, Reproductive Effects, Exposure Controls (1977) — regulatory
- Tolonen et al.: Vascular Effects of Carbon Disulfide Exposure — Viscose Rayon Worker Cohort, Accelerated Atherosclerosis, Coronary Heart Disease Excess Mortality, Finland (1975) — study
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →