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E x T o x N E T PIP-SULFUR http://ace.orst.edu/inf'o/cxtoxneupips/sulfur.litm hundred food and feed crop, ornamental, turf and residential sites. It is also used as a fertilizer or soil amendment for reclaiming alkaline soils. Sulfur is applied in dust, granular or liquid form, and is an active ingredient in nearly 300 registered pesticide products (357). TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS • Acute Toxicity: Sulfur is known to be of low toxicity, and poses very little if any risk to human and animal health (l, 357). Short-term studies show that sulfur is of very low acute oral toxicity and does not irritate the skin (it has been placed in EPA Toxicity Category IV, the least toxic category, for these effects). Sulfur also is not a skin sensitizer. However, it can cause some eye irritation, dermal toxicity and inhalation hazards (357). When taken orally, it has a mild laxative action (1). It may cause irritation of skin and the mucous membranes. Sulfur is considered a skin and eye irritant (1, 242, 223, 207). Acute exposure inhalation of large amounts of the dust may cause catarrhal inflammation of the nasal mucosa which may lead to hyperplasia with abundant nasal secretions. Trachiobronchitis is a frequent occurrence, with dyspnea, persistent cough and expectoration which may sometimes be streaked with blood (354). Sulfur was reported to have a rat oral LD50 of greater than 5,000 mg/kg (223, 359); and greater than 8,437 mg/kg (354). Another source reported an acute oral LD50 of greater than 5,000 mg/kg for 51.1%, 97%, and 98% sulfur. Also, there were no deaths of rats fed 98% sulfur at a single dose of 5,000 mg/kg (355). The intravenous rat LDIo (Lethal dose, low. The lowest dose which causes death in test animals.) was 8 mg/kg (354). The dermal LD50 for rats was greater than 5,000 mg/kg (223). The acute inhalation LC50 for 98% sulfur in rats is greater than 2.56 mg/1; and greater than 5.74 mg/I for 80 % sulfur(355). The oral LDIo for sulfur in rabbits was 175 mg/kg (354). The acute dermal LD50 in rabbits was greater than 2,000 mg/kg at 51.1%, 97%, and 98% sulfur. Also, there were no deaths of rabbits fed 98% sulfur at a single dose of 2,000 mg/kg (355, 359). A rabbit eye irritation test indicated all irritation had cleared 6 days after 98% sulfur was administered (355). The intraperitoneal LDIo was 55 mg/kg for sulfur in guinea pigs (354). • Chronic Toxicity: Chronic exposure to elemental sulfur at low levels is generally recognized as safe. Epidemiological studies show that mine workers exposed to sulfur dioxide throughout their lives often had eye and respiratory disturbances, chronic bronchitis and chronic sinus effects. However, no known risks of oncogenic, teratogenic, or reproductive effects are associated with the use of sulfur. Also, sulfur has been shown to be non-mutagenic in microorganisms (357). Repeated or prolonged exposure to dust may cause irritation to the mucous membranes. Bronchopulmonary disease may occur which, after several years, may be complicated by emphysema and bronchiectasis. Early symptoms in sulfur miners often include upper respiratory tract catarrh, with cough and expectoration which is mucoid and may even contain granules of sulfur. Asthma is a frequent complication. The maxillary and frontal sinuses may be affected; involvement is usually bilateral and pansinuitis may occur (354). • Reproductive Effects: There are no known risks of reproductive hazards associated with sulfur (357, 358). • Teratogenic Effects: There are no known risks of teratogenic hazards associated with sulfur(357, 358). • Mutagenic Effects: No information currently available. • Carcinogenic Effects: There are no known risks of carcinogenic/oncogenic effects associated with the use of sulfur(354, 357). • Organ Toxicity: Pulmonary function may be reduced. Radiological examinations have revealed irregular opacities in the lungs and occasionally nodulation has been reported, but not true nodular fibrosis (354). • Fate in Humans and Animals: No information currently available. 2 of 4 5/15/00 10:1 1 AM