Sodium O-isobutyl dithiocarbonate

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Under the conditions of use, carbon disulphide is the major decomposition product of sodium isobutyl xanthate and it is therefore important to also consider the health and safety hazards of this substance. Carbon disulphide is readily given off when sodium isobutyl xanthate comes intocontact with water. Carbon disulphide is very volatile and poses a fire hazard because of its low auto ignition point and high flammability. Carbon disulphide causes acute effects such as severe irritation to theskin and eyes and respiratory system and is toxic by inhalation. Repeated exposure to carbon disulphide may cause long-term effects such as reproductive and CNSeffects. Health effects data indicate that dermal and inhalational exposure to carbon disulphide should be minimised.
 
Situations which are likely to present the greatest risk to workers handling or using sodium isobutyl xanthate are:
-direct skin contact with sodium isobutyl xanthate powder or pellets;
-inhalational exposure to sodium isobutyl xanthate dust;
-direct skin contact with carbon disulphide;
-inhalational exposure to carbon disulphide vapour; and
-conditions which are conducive to carbon disulphide formation and its flammability such as low pH, moisture and heat.

Additional information

There is very little information available on human health effects of sodium isobutyl xanthate.

Published case reports indicated eye and CNS effects as aresult of acute exposure. Other reports include complaints of nausea from contract workers at a mine site and complaints of headache, dizziness, nausea and foul odour from residents in the vicinity of a mine using sodium isobutyl xanthate. Acute effects,such as loss of consciousness, have been reported in incidents where workers have been exposed to fumes given off by sodium isobutyl xanthate.

Under the conditions of use, carbon disulphide is the major decomposition product of sodium isobutyl xanthate and it is therefore important to also consider the health and safety hazards of this substance. Carbon disulphide is readily given off when sodium isobutyl xanthate comes intocontact with water. Carbon disulphide is very volatile and poses a fire hazard because of its low auto ignition point and high flammability. Carbon disulphide causes acute effects such as severe irritation to theskin and eyes and respiratory system and is toxic by inhalation. Repeated exposure to carbon disulphide may cause long-term effects such as reproductive and CNSeffects. Health effects data indicate that dermal and inhalational exposure to carbon disulphide should be minimised.

 

Situations which are likely to present the greatest risk to workers handling or using sodium isobutyl xanthate are:

-direct skin contact with sodium isobutyl xanthate powder or pellets;

-inhalational exposure to sodium isobutyl xanthate dust;

-direct skin contact with carbon disulphide;

-inhalational exposure to carbon disulphide vapour; and

-conditions which are conducive to carbon disulphide formation and its flammability such as low pH, moisture and heat.

 

Health effects data indicate that dermal exposure to sodium isobutyl xanthate should be avoided and hence the generation of dust should be minimised. Mechanical andphysical damage to the pellets such as sweeping should be avoided to minimise dustgeneration. The particle size of sodium ethyl xanthate powder is in the range of 1 to10 μm (mean 5 μm) and pellet size ranges from 5 to 6 mm. The powder is well withinthe inspirable range (< 185 μm) and the majority is within the respirable range (<7μm). Therefore, there is a greater risk to workers when handling the powder.