[NHCOLL-L:4022] Re: use of carbon disulfide as an insecticide

[Makos, Kathryn]

I suspect that this is true, that carbon disulfide is no longer
registered as a pesticide in the U.S.  CS2 does not appear on one of the
useful EPA database.  http://ppis.ceris.purdue.edu/htbin/ppismenu.com

 

The easiest way to tell is to look on the container label.  Only
chemicals that have the full EPA registration information can be used as
a pesticide (which includes fumigants, rodenticides, algicides,
fungcides). And even then it has to be used exactly as the label
permits. You cannot take a bottle of, say. Baker's CS2 off the shelf and
use in this way (perhaps this would be the diplomatic "excuse" to tell
the curator in this case, as to why it cannot be used).

 

But consider this, even if CS2 was registered, I would recommend
strongly against its use (definitely not to be used in the ol' soaked
cotton inside the case method!) due to neurotoxicity and other serious
health consequences from exposure to this.  "Complete vaporization" has
to go somewhere and that's into the storage area.  Then there's the
issue of possible residual sulfur settled on surfaces?

 

Just my own professional opinion...

 

Kathryn A. Makos, MPH CIH 

Industrial Hygienist

 

Smithsonian Institution

Office of Safety, Health & Environmental Management

600 Maryland Ave, SW, Suite 7106

MRC 514 PO Box 37012

Washington DC 20013-7012

 

T: 202-633-2670

F: 202-633-2683

makosk at si.edu <mailto:makosk at si.edu> 

 

 

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