DIMETHYL SULFATE

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
2 4 1	Health	4	Can be lethal.
	Flammability	2	Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur.
	Instability	1	Normally stable but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
	Special

Dimethyl sulfate is a colorless oily liquid, odorless to a faint onion-like odor. It is very toxic by inhalation. It is a combustible liquid and has a flash point of 182°F. It is slightly soluble in water and decomposed by water to give sulfuric acid with evolution of heat. It is corrosive to metals and tissue. It is a potent methylating agent.

• Water-Reactive

Water soluble.

Material is normally stable even under fire exposure conditions and is not hazardously reactive with water. It is incompatible with strong oxidizers and strong ammonia solutions. (EPA, 1998)

Acute: extremely toxic vapors and liquid -- a few whiffs or contact on skin could be fatal. Also acutely toxic if ingested. Delayed effects which are ultimately fatal may also occur. Lethal concentrations as low as 97 ppm/10 min have been reported in humans. DNA inhibition and damage to human somatic cells, and sister chromatid exchange in human fibroblast cells were observed. Delayed appearance of symptoms may permit unnoticed exposure to lethal quantities. (EPA, 1998)

Pure DIMETHYL SULFATE and concentrated aqueous ammonia react extremely violently with one another, as is the case for tertiary organic bases, [NFPA 491M, 1991]. Dimethyl sulfate ignites in contact with unheated barium chlorite, due to the rapid formation of unstable methyl chlorite. The product of methylating an unnamed material at 110°C was allowed to remain in a reactor for 80 min. before the reactor exploded. This involved a sulfur ester such as dimethyl sulfate, [MCA Case History No. 1786].

• Esters, Sulfate Esters, Phosphate Esters, Thiophosphate Esters, and Borate Esters

No information available.

Excerpt from 156 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1595 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)

Wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and special protective clothing. Dike fire control water for later disposal. Do not scatter material.

To extinguish small fires use water, foam, carbon dioxide, and dry chemicals. For large fires use water spray, fog, or foam. Move container from fire area if you can do it without risk. Cool containers exposed to flames with water. Fight fire from a maximum distance. (EPA, 1998)

Excerpt from 156 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. FOR CHLOROSILANES, use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium-expansion foam to reduce vapors. DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.

SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Dimethyl sulfate:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.

Provide:
• EYEWASH - Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection.
• QUICK DRENCH - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2023)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Dimethyl sulfate	77-78-1	Liquid			>480	>480	>480	>480	>480	>480	>480
Sulfuric acid dimethyl ester	77-78-1	Liquid			>480	>480	>480	>480	>480	>480	>480

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

Warning: Symptoms may be delayed up to 12 hours.

Signs and Symptoms of Dimethyl Sulfate Exposure: Dimethyl sulfate is irritating to the eyes, skin, mucous membranes, and respiratory tract. Severe dermal burns may be seen. Headache and giddiness are early signs of acute exposure which may be followed by changes in vision, lacrimation (tearing), photophobia, cough, difficulty in breathing, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, seizures, paralysis, delirium, and coma may occur.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to dimethyl sulfate may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to dimethyl sulfate.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to dimethyl sulfate.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with copious amounts of lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. DO NOT induce vomiting or attempt to neutralize!
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Give the victims water or milk: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Water or milk should be given only if victims are conscious and alert.
5. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
6. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3- 1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.
7. Transport to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

• DIMETHYL ESTER OF SULFURIC ACID
• DIMETHYL MONOSULFATE
• DIMETHYL SULFATE
• DIMETHYL SULPHATE
• DIMETHYLSULFATE
• DMS
• DMS(METHYL SULFATE)
• METHYL SULFATE
• SULFURIC ACID, DIMETHYL ESTER