A benchmark concentration for carbon disulfide: analysis of the NIOSH carbon disulfide exposure database

A statistical analysis of the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) carbon disulfide (CS2) exposure database was conducted for purposes of establishing a benchmark concentration (BMC) for CS2. The analysis addressed the effects of CS2 exposure on the peripheral nervous system and on ischemic heart disease risk factors. The BMC is based on models relating response to exposure determined from statistical analysis of the continuous exposure data for individuals recorded in the NIOSH database. The results demonstrate that changes in the responses associated with increases in CS2 exposure at levels represented in the NIOSH database are relatively small after adjustment for confounders. The only response variables that had statistically significant relationships with CS2 were the peroneal nerve MCV (motor conduction velocity) and the peroneal nerve amplitude ratio. Based on these results, BMCs of 16.2 and 18.5 ppm were derived for MCV and amplitude ratio, respectively.