DMSO

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DMSO

– Mother Nature's Solvent

Many chemists are surprised to learn that

DMSO (Dimethylsulfoxide) is a natural product. In fact, DMSO occurs naturally in a variety of plants like

Garlic, and in all the oceans.

DMSO, along with Dimethyl Sulfide and Dimethylsulfone, form part of the

organosulfur cycle. More than 50

billion pounds of these compounds are present...naturally...in the atmosphere

and in the oceans, according to calculations based on measured levels of

concentrations of DMSO, DMS, and DMSO2.

 

Acute and Chronic

Toxicity

DMSO

is one of the least toxic organic chemicals known. However, many scientists still have a

misconception that DMSO is a somewhat dangerous solvent. This may be due to misunderstandings

and the fact that DMSO has the unique ability to penetrate human bone and

tissue.

 

The important difference between DMSO and

other solvents is that when DMSO enters the human body, a small amount is

reduced to DMS, which leaves a garlicky oyster taste in the person's mouth that

can serve as an indication of exposure.

However, the chronic toxicity of DMSO is virtually non-existent. Skin and other body exposures to DMSO

can be readily detected, because of this garlicky oyster taste that occurs in

the person’s mouth. DMSO is not

toxic.

 

Physical Data

Specific Gravity d20/4 - 1.104

Boiling Point (atmos. pressure) - 372.2ºF

Viscosity at 20ºC - 2.14 cP

Refractive Index n20/D - 1.4785

Surface Tension at (20ºC=68ºF) - 43 dynes/cm

Specific Heat at 25ºC=77ºF - 0.45 cal/g/ºC1

Heat of Vaporization (25ºC) - 162 cal/g

Electrical Conductivity at 20ºC - 3 x

10-8/oh/cm

Dielectric constant at 20ºC - 48

Vapor Pressure at 20ºC=68ºF - 0.556 mbar=8 x

10-3 psi

Explosivity Limits Lower (in air) - 2.6%(v/v)

Explosivity Limits Upper (in air) -

28.5%(v/v)

Flash Point (cc) - 87ºC (188.6ºF)

Dipole Moment - 4.3D

Solubility: DMSO

is totally soluble in water, light alcohols and diethylether.

 

 

EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE:

 

General: DMSO has shown very few toxic symptoms in humans. The most

common are nausea, skin rashes and an unusual garlic-onion-oyster smell on body

and breath.

 

Inhalation: High vapor concentrations may cause headache, dizziness, and

sedation.

 

Eyes:

Low hazard for usual industrial handling or commercial handling by

trained personnel.

 

Skin:

Stinging and burning of the skin as well as rashes and vesicles have

been seen. A heat reaction may occur if applied to wet skin. Avoid contact with

DMSO solutions containing toxic material or materials whose toxicological

properties are not known since DMSO may penetrate the skin under certain

conditions and may carry such materials into the body.

 

Ingestion: VERY Low ingestion hazard.