Sulfuric acid, diethyl ester (Diethyl sulfate)

CAS Registry Number 64-67-5

What is it?

Sulfuric acid, diethyl ester, also known as diethyl sulfate, is an industrial chemical.

In Canada, Diethyl sulfate is mainly used to make other chemicals which are then used in the manufacturing of softeners used to increase absorbency of tissue paper.
Diethyl sulphate may also be used to make products used in the manufacturing of a variety of other substances and products, including dyes, fragrances, and quaternary ammonium salts used as surfactants or flocculants in water treatment.
It may also be used as an ethylating agent in the manufacture of commercial products such as sanitizers and organoclays.
Based on the most recent data available, diethyl sulfate is not manufactured in Canada, but is imported into Canada.

Diethyl sulfate was identified as a potential concern to human health based on its classification by international organizations as a substance which was found to cause cancer and genetic damage in some studies with laboratory animals, and based on what was believed to be a moderate potential for exposure to Canadians.

Exposure to diethyl sulfate is expected to be very low and occur predominantly through inhalation of air.

The Government of Canada has conducted a science-based evaluation of diethyl sulfate, called a screening assessment.
The Government of Canada has concluded that diethyl sulfate is considered to be harmful to human health at current levels of exposure.
Canadians' exposure is very low and the Government is taking action so that exposure remains low.
The Government of Canada will investigate the utility of implementing a future use notification. This would require that any proposed new uses of diethyl sulfate be subject to further assessment before considering whether to allow such activities.
It is also being proposed that diethyl sulfate be added to the Cosmetic Ingredient "Hotlist" which will prevent its future use in cosmetics.
The final screening assessment and the proposed risk management approach were published on August 1, 2009. The proposed risk management approach will be followed by a 60-day comment period, ending September 30, 2009.

The health risks associated with a chemical depend on the hazard (its potential to cause health effects) and the dose (the amount of chemical to which you are exposed).
Because exposure to diethyl sulfate is very low, the Government of Canada is not currently recommending specific actions to reduce Canadians' exposure.