"Although limited information was identified on the toxicokinetics and systemic toxicity of DMS, occupational case reports [Littler and McConnell 1955; Wang et al. 1988; Schettgen et al 2004; Yagami et al. 2009] supported by the mathematical model prediction demonstrate that DMS is systemically available and toxic following dermal exposure. DMS is corrosive at high doses and following prolonged dermal exposure and irritating at lower concentrations based on human [Littler and McConnell 1955; Wang et al. 1988; Yagami et al. 2009] and animal [Dow 1938; Browning 1965; E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company 1972] studies. Although positive responses were observed in the murine LLNA test [Ashby et al. 1995] and in a single human patch test [Yagami et al. 2009], conflicting evidence in animal studies [Stevens 1967; E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company 1972] suggests that DMS is not capable of causing immune-mediated responses (i.e., sensitization) following skin contact and that the positive responses may be attributable to corrosive properties of the chemical. Therefore, on the basis of these assessments, DMS is assigned a composite skin notation of SK: SYS-DIR (COR). Table 3 summarizes the skin hazard designations for DMS previously issued by NIOSH and other organizations. The equivalent dermal designations for DMS, according to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of classification and labeling of chemicals, are Skin Corrosion Category 1B (Causes severe skin burns and eye damage) and Skin Sensitization Category 1 (May cause an allergic skin reaction) [European Parliament 2008]." - NIOSHTIC-2

Suggested citation: NIOSH [2017]. NIOSH skin notation profile: Dimethyl sulfate. By Hudson NL, Dotson GS. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publi- cation No. 2017-189.

NIOSHTIC no. 20050232

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection