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Methyl mercaptandetecting-methyl-mercaptan-factsheet

Formula: CH4S | CAS: 74-93-1

Detecting methyl mercaptan: Methyl mercaptan is highly irritant when it contacts moist tissues such as the eyes, skin, and upper respiratory tract. It can also induce headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, coma, and death. Ingestion of methyl mercaptan is unlikely since it is a gas at ambient temperatures.

Detecting Methyl mercaptan, routes of exposure

Inhalation
Inhalation is the major route of exposure to methyl mercaptan. An odour threshold of 0.002 ppm has been reported for methyl mercaptan, but olfactory fatigue may occur and thus, it may not provide adequate warning of hazardous concentrations. Vapours of liquified methyl mercaptan gas are heavier than air and spread along the ground. Exposure in poorly ventilated, enclosed, or low-lying areas can result in asphyxiation.

Other routes of exposure come from Skin/Eye contact and Ingestion.

At room temperature (above 43°F), methyl mercaptan is a colourless gas with an unpleasant odour described as rotten cabbage. It is slightly soluble in water. It is generally shipped as a liquified compressed gas. When heated to decomposition, it emits toxic fumes, such as sulfur dioxide, and flammable vapours. Methyl mercaptan should be stored in cool, well ventilated places. The main toxic effect of exposure to methyl mercaptan is irritation of the respiratory airway, skin, and eyes.
– Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry

Why do we use methyl mercaptan?

Methyl mercaptan is mainly used to produce methionine, which is used as a dietary supplement for poultry and animal feed. Methyl mercaptan also is used in industrial applications as an intermediate in the production of pesticides, fungicides, plastics and animal feed additives. As an industrial intermediate, the chemical is reacted into something else or fully consumed to make the product.

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Everything you need to know about detecting methyl mercaptan

Our Gas Factsheets which is available to download below provides you with key information on the exposure limits and the locations of where potentially harmful gases can occur. We also share information on gas detection monitoring techniques and equipment that can help you manage gas detection in the workplace, for worker and site safety.

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Detecting Methyl mercaptan

Formula: CH4S | CAS: 74-93-1

Synonyms: methanethiol, mercaptomethane, methanethiol, methyl sulfhydrate

Specification Value/Information
Formula CH4S
CAS no. 74-93-1
Gas Response Factor, 11.7 eV 1.00
Gas Response Factor, 10.6 eV 0.70
Gas Response Factor, 10.0 eV 0.60
ppm per mg/m⁻³, (20 °C, 1 bar) 0.5
Molecular Weight, g/mole 48.1
Melting point, °C -123
Boiling point, °C 6
Flash point, °C -18
Specification Value/Information
Upper Explosive Limit, % 21
Lower Explosive Limit, % 4.1
Density, g.cm⁻³ 0.9
Ionisation Energy, eV 9.44
EH40 TWA, ppm 0.5
EH40 TWA, mg.m⁻³ 1
NIOSH ceiling, ppm 0.5
NIOSH ceiling, mg.m⁻³ 1
NIOSH IDLH, ppm 150

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