Some data on toxic or maximum allowable concentrations of carbon disulfide.

Artificial silk is made by the viscose process in Hungary. Systematic air analyses and medical surveys have been carried out in a viscose rayon factory for the purpose of studying the maximum allowable or toxic concentration ofcarbon disulphide. In view of the fact that widely varying concentrations may give misleading results, we have not drawn any conclusions from the investigation of persons working in the churn-room or in any other places of work apart from the silk spinnery. In this latter place the average exposure was 54·0 mg/m3 with a standard deviation ± 7'0, and a concentration of carbon disulphide of about 100 [J-g/IOO ml. was found in the blood of the workers. It was of great interest to ascertain whether persons working for a long time in such relatively low air concentrations would show any signs of the effect of carbon disulphide. In view of the fact that the carbon disulphide also has a vasculotropic effect, a short-term exposure does not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the lowest toxic concentration. Naturally our examinations, and our conclusions, were limited. We were able to examine only the effect of concentrations of 47-61 mg/m3 on workers exposed for 5-12 years.