CARBON DISULPHIDE

📋 Quick facts

Description: CARBON DISULPHIDE — CARBON DISULPHIDE. Formula: CS2. MW: 76.15. IUPAC: methanedithione.

Quick Facts:

• Category: other
• Also Known As: Carbon disulfide

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Carbon disulphide (CS2) is a chemical that can be absorbed through skin contact and inhaled
• The body breaks down CS2 into a metabolite called TTCA, which appears in urine and can be measured
• Skin damage or barrier problems can increase how much CS2 penetrates into the body
• Occupational exposure has been linked to nervous system effects and metabolic changes
• Acute exposure can cause eye and throat irritation, headaches, and gastrointestinal symptoms

⚗️ Chemical Overview

Pure carbon disulfide is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor that is like the smell of chloroform. The impure carbon disulfide that is usually used in most industrial processes is a yellowish liquid with an unpleasant odor, like that of rotting radishes. Carbon disulfide evaporates at room temperature, and the vapor is more than twice as heavy as air. It easily explodes in air and also catches fire very easily. In nature, small amounts of carbon disulfide are found in gases released to the earth’s surface as, for example, in volcanic eruptions or over marshes. Commercial carbon disulfide is made by combining carbon and sulfur at very high temperatures Carbon Disulfide can cause developmental toxicity, female reproductive toxicity and male reproductive toxicity according to an independent committee of scientific and health experts. Carbon disulfide appears as a clear colorless to light yellow volatile liquid with a strong disagreeable odor. Flammable over a wide vapor/air concentration range (1%-50%). Vapors are readily ignited; the heat of a common light bulb may suffice. Insoluble in water and more dense than water. Hence sinks in water. Vapors are heavier than air. Used in the manufacture of rayon and cellophane, in the manufacture of flotation agents and as a solvent.

Source(s): Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), CAMEO Chemicals, California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), via PubChem

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Carbon disulphide (CS2) is an industrial chemical that the human body absorbs and processes. When exposed, CS2 is metabolized into a compound called 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA), which is excreted in urine and can be measured to assess exposure levels (Int Arch Occup Environ Health, 1995). #1: Skin condition matters for absorption. Research shows that people with a compromised or disturbed skin barrier absorb more CS2 through their skin than those with healthy skin (Int Arch Occup Environ Health, 1995). Physical work that increases skin contact with the chemical also raises internal exposure levels. #2: Nervous system effects occur with occupational exposure.

In workers at rayon factories exposed to CS2, researchers observed reductions in nerve conduction velocity (the speed at which nerves transmit signals), with motor nerve velocity reduced by 1.9 m/s and sensory nerve velocity reduced by 0.91-1.1 m/s (Occup Environ Med, 1998). Workers also reported symptoms including tremor, dullness, reduced grip strength, and increased skin sensitivity in the extremities. #3: Metabolic changes have been documented. Occupationally exposed workers showed increased levels of glycosylated haemoglobin, an indicator of glucose metabolism changes (Occup Environ Med, 1998). #4: Psychological effects appeared in some workers, including increases in self-rated depression scores and reduced performance on certain cognitive tests (Occup Environ Med, 1998).

#5: Acute exposure causes irritation symptoms. When CS2 was released as a breakdown product in drainage systems, people exposed reported nausea and headaches; eye and throat irritation were less common in this scenario than with other exposure routes (Clin Toxicol (Phila), 2011). In cases where direct skin contact occurred, CS2 caused erythema (redness) and in one case moderate burns (Clin Toxicol (Phila), 2011). Importantly, the available research focuses on occupational and accidental poisoning scenarios—not skincare applications. The sources do not contain any evidence supporting the use of CS2 in consumer skincare products.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Drexler H et al. (1995). Carbon disulphide. II. Investigations on the uptake of CS2 and the excretion of its metabolite 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid after occupational exposure. Int Arch Occup Environ Health.
• Takebayashi T et al. (1998). Cross sectional observation of the effects of carbon disulphide on the nervous system, endocrine system, and subjective symptoms in rayon manufacturing workers. Occup Environ Med.
• Bretaudeau Deguigne M et al. (2011). Metam sodium intoxication: the specific role of degradation products–methyl isothiocyanate and carbon disulphide–as a function of exposure. Clin Toxicol (Phila).
• Donoghue AM (1998). Carbon disulphide absorption during xanthate reagent mixing in a gold mine concentrator. Occup Med (Lond).
• Hernberg S et al. (1968). [Some aspects on the toxicology of carbon disulphide]. Nord Hyg Tidskr.

🧴 Products Containing CARBON DISULPHIDE