Toxicity Profile for Sulphur (1990)

Abstract

In man, sulphur has caused irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory and gastro-intestinal tracts. There have also been occasional cases of skin allergy. Oral administration caused life-threatening metabolic disturbance or severe anaemia in a few individuals with kidney disease or an enzyme deficiency. Repeated skin applications have resulted in effects on the central nervous system and gastro-intestinal tract, and some infants have died. Occupational exposure to sulphur (often in conjunction with other chemicals) has been associated with lung damage and blood effects.

In laboratory animals, sulphur was of low to moderate acute oral toxicity. The principal sites of toxic attack following oral exposure were the gastro-intestinal tract, central nervous system, kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, blood and salivary glands. When applied dermally, sulphur has induced skin damage and affected various other tissues. Repeated application to mouse skin increased the carcinogenic potential of certain mineral oils. There was no evidence of mutagenicity in Ames bacterial tests but Eastern bloc studies report some indications of genotoxicity in rodents.