Carbon disulfide, chronic toxic effect

Category

Chronic Poisoning

Acute/Chronic

Chronic

Biomedical References

Comments

Chronic heavy exposure to carbon disulfide causes a syndrome similar to chronic solvent encephalopathy with additional toxic effects to the eye and cardiovascular system. Finnish studies showed excess mortality from coronary artery disease in viscous rayon workers employed in the 1940s through the 1960s. Toxic effects were greatest in the 1940s when exposures averaged >60 ppm compared to average exposures of 20-60 ppm in the 1950s and 10-30 ppm in the 1960s. A Japanese study found evidence of retinopathy in 35% of workers exposed to concentrations above 20 ppm, 23% of those exposed to less than 20 ppm, and 4% of the controls. [ATSDR ToxProfiles] "Exposure to carbon disulfide, which is associated with ischemic heart disease, may also cause hypertension." [APHA, p. 275]

Latency/Incubation

Years to decades

Diagnostic

Exposure history; Neuropsychological testing; Ophthalmological and cardiac examinations;

ICD-9 Code

982.2

ICD-10 Code

T65.4

Symptoms/Findings

Symptoms/Findings associated with this disease:

• concentrating, difficulty
• dementia
• memory loss
• mood disturbance
• neuropathy
• paresthesia
• vision, impaired

Job Tasks

High risk job tasks associated with this disease:

• Cut and dry rayon filaments

Agents

Hazardous agents that cause the occupational disease:

• Carbon disulfide