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    9. Di‐tert‐dodecylpentasulfid / Di‐tert‐dodecylpolysulfid
Cover: The MAK Collection for Occupational Health and Safety

The MAK Collection for Occupational Health and Safety

German Research Foundation – Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area
(MAK Commission)

ISSN 2509-2383



Di‐tert‐dodecylpentasulfid / Di‐tert‐dodecylpolysulfid

MAK-Begründung, Nachtrag

  Andrea Hartwig1 (Vorsitz der Ständigen Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)
  MAK Commission2

1 Institut für Angewandte Biowissenschaften, Abteilung Lebensmittelchemie und Toxikologie, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), Adenauerring 20a, Geb. 50.41, 76131 Karlsruhe, Deutschland
2 Ständige Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Kennedyallee 40, 53175 Bonn, Deutschland

Abstract

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated the maximum concentration at the work place (MAK value), the Pregnancy Risk Group and the absorption through the skin of di(tert‐dodecyl)polysulfide [68583‐56‐2; 68425‐15‐0] (di(tert‐dodecyl)pentasulfide [31565‐23‐8]).

The systemic toxicity is low and the substance is at most minimally irritating to skin and eye. Acidophilic globuli are present in the kidney of male rats in an oral 28‐day study at 50 mg/kg body weight and day, resulting from an α2u‐globulin mediated kidney toxicity which, however, is not relevant for humans. Based on this the NOAEL of 1000 mg/kg body weight and day, the MAK value would be 200 mg/m3. However, the substance is a poorly water‐soluble liquid and an accumulation in the lung is expected. Most of the molecule consists of hydrocarbon chains resulting in characteristics similar to severely refined mineral oil, for which a MAK value of 5 mg/m3 had been set as the respirable fraction (R) based on inhalation studies. Therefore, the MAK‐value for di(tert‐dodecyl)polysulfide is also set at 5 mg/m3 R. Peak Limitation is designated as well by analogy with severely refined mineral oil with Category II and excursion factor of 4.

New data on developmental toxicity are not available. As the MAK value is lowered, Pregnancy Risk Group C is retained. Skin contact is not expected to contribute significantly to systemic toxicity.

Keywords

di-tert-dodecyl pentasulfide, di-tert-dodecyl polysulfide, lung, aerosol, MAK value, analogy, peak limitation, developmental toxicity, skin absorption, maximum workplace concentration