Diethyl sulphide

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Key read across data were identified to evaluate the acute oral, dermal, and inhalation toxicity potential of diethyl sulphide. The key parameters are discussed below: 
• Acute oral LD50: >5000 mg/kg bw 
• Acute dermal LD0: >2000 mg/kg bw
• Acute inhalation LC50: 102 mg/L

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Acute toxicity: via oral route

Endpoint conclusion

Dose descriptor:

LD50

Value:

5 000 mg/kg bw

Acute toxicity: via inhalation route

Endpoint conclusion

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Value:

102 000 mg/m³ air

Acute toxicity: via dermal route

Endpoint conclusion

Dose descriptor:

LD50

Value:

2 000 mg/kg bw

Additional information

Acute oral toxicity

One key read across study was identified for acute oral toxicity. The key read across study was identified for methyl ethyl sulphide, a structural analogue of diethyl sulphide. Several criteria justify the use of the read across approach to fill data gaps for diethyl sulphide using methyl ethyl sulphide as an analogue. Diethyl sulphide, like methyl ethyl sulphide, is an odorant and has similar physiochemical properties. Hence, the toxicological properties of these substances are also expected to be similar.

In a key read across acute oral toxicity study (Douds, 1994; Klimisch score = 1) groups of fasted, young adults Sprague-Dawley rats (5/sex) were given a single oral dose of undiluted methyl ethyl sulphide by gavage at dose of 5000 mg/kg bw (limit test) and observed for 14 days (similar to OECD testing guideline 401 and according to GLP). One male rat died on day 1. All other animals survived up to the end of the study. Clinical signs were observed in all animals: salivation, piloerection, wobbly gait, decreased activity, lacrimation, eyelids partially closed, transient incidences of urine stain, transient incidences of rales, rough haircoat, decreased/no defecation, dark material around the facial area, low food consumption. Gross internal findings noted at necropsy for the animal that died included clear yellow-red fluid contents in the urinary bladder, light green staining of glandular mucosa in the stomach and greenish-red mucoid contents in the entire tract of the small intestine. No gross internal findings were observed at necropsy on study day 14 for the surviving animals. The oral LD₅₀ (combined males/females) was > 5000 mg/kg bw.

Acute inhalation toxicity

No key acute inhalation toxicity data are available for diethyl sulphide. Several criteria justify the use of the read across approach to fill data gaps for diethyl sulphide using dimethyl sulphide and methyl ethyl sulphide as analogs. Diethyl sulphide, like dimethyl sulphide and methyl ethyl sulphide, is an odorant and has similar physiochemical properties. Hence, the toxicological properties of these substances are also expected to be similar. Key read across data from dimethyl sulphide and methyl ethyl sulphide was therefore used to evaluate the acute inhalation toxicity potential.

 

In a key read across acute inhalation toxicity study (Tansy, 1981; Klimisch score = 2), Sprague-Dawley rats (5/sex/dose) were exposed for 4 hours to dimethyl sulphide vapour at 0, 800, 3000, 6000, 12,000, 24,000, 36,000, 39,000, 42,000, 45,000, or 48,000 ppm (approximately 0, 2.03, 7.61, 15.2, 30.4, 60.9, 91.3, 98.9, 106, 114, or 122 mg/L). Animals were observed for 14 days following the exposure. No data for clinical signs or body weight effects were provided in the report. Mortality was observed for some animals in all groups exposed to concentrations equal to or greater than 36,000 ppm (91.3 mg/L). At necropsy, there was no evidence of external bleeding from any orifice in rats that succumbed or survived. The LC₅₀ was determined to be 40250 ppm (102 mg/L or 102000 mg/m³) with a 95% confidence interval of 38018 - 42613 ppm (96.6 mg/L to 108.3 mg/L). 

In another acute inhalation toxicity study (Colins and Jackson, 1988; Klimisch score = 1), groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (5/sex) were continuously exposed by inhalation route (whole-body) to vapours containing methyl ethyl sulphide for 4 hours at a concentration of 21.72 mg/L.  Animals were subsequently observed for 14 days. No clinical signs of toxicity or unplanned mortality were observed in male and female rats following exposure to the test material. At necroscopy, dark areas were observed on the lungs of one female rat. A slight loss of bodyweight or reduction of the rate of bodyweight gain for one day following exposure was observed in all test animals. The lung weight to body weight ratio for female rats exposed to the test material was higher than the control values. Males were observed to be unaffected. The LC₀ was determined to be greater than or equal to 21.72 mg/L air in males and females.

In a supporting read across study (Terazawa et al., 1991; Klimisch score = 2) testing the acute inhalation toxicity of dimethyl sulphide, five mice (sex not specified) were exposed to static atmospheres of dimethyl sulphide vapor of 6.8, 11.6, 23.6, 34.0, or 50.6 volume percent (68000, 116000, 236000, 340000, or 506000 ppm). All animals died within approximately eight minutes at 6.8 percent (approximately 173 mg/L). Animals exposed to 50.6 percent died within one minute; cause of death was possibly due to asphyxiation. 

Acute dermal toxicity

No key acute dermal toxicity data are available for diethyl sulphide. Several criteria justify the use of the read across approach to fill data gaps for diethyl sulphide using methyl ethyl sulphide as an analogue. Diethyl sulphide, like methyl ethyl sulphide, is an odorant and has similar physiochemical properties. Hence, the toxicological properties of both these substances are also expected to be similar. Key read across data from methyl ethyl sulphide was therefore used to evaluate the acute dermal toxicity potential.

In a key read across acute dermal toxicity study (Douds, 1994; Klimisch score = 1), the dermal toxicity of methyl ethyl sulphide was evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats. A limit test was performed in which one group of 5 male and 5 female rats received a single dermal administration of the test article at 2000 mg/kg bw. Following dosing, rats were observed daily and weighed weekly. A gross necropsy examination was performed on all test animals at the time of scheduled euthanasia (day 14). No mortality was observed through the study period. The most notable clinical abnormalities observed during the study included dark material around the facial area, urine stain, and dermal irritation at the site of the test application. Body weight gain was noted for the majority of animals during the test period. No significant gross internal findings were observed at necropsy on day 14. The acute dermal LD₀ of methyl ethyl sulphide was estimated to be greater than 2000 mg/kg bw in the rat.

Justification for classification or non-classification

Diethyl sulphide does not meet the criteria for classification as an acute oral toxicant under EU Dangerous Substances Directive 67/548/EEC or CLP EU Regulation 1272/2008.

Diethyl sulphide does not meet the criteria for classification as an acute dermal toxicant under EU Dangerous Substances Directive 67/548/EEC or CLP EU Regulation 1272/2008.

Diethyl sulphide does not meet the criteria for classification as an acute inhalation toxicant under EU Dangerous Substances Directive 67/548/EEC or CLP EU Regulation 1272/2008.