WHAT IS ALLYL ISOTHIOCYANATE?

WHAT IS ALLYL ISOTHIOCYANATE?

Allyl isothiocyanate is a chemical that has been identified as having the following potential health effects:

Eye: Causes eye irritation. Lachrymator (substance which increases the flow of tears).
Skin:
May be fatal if absorbed through the skin. May cause skin sensitization, an allergic reaction, which becomes
evident upon re-exposure to this material. This material is a vesicant, that is, it will induce blistering. Causes skin
irritation and possible burns. Prolonged exposure may produce blisters.
irritation and possible burns. Prolonged exposure may produce blisters.
Ingestion: Harmful if swallowed. May cause gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Effects may be
delayed.
Inhalation: Causes respiratory tract irritation. May cause asthmatic attacks due to allergic sensitization of the respiratory
tract. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation.
Chronic: May cause reproductive and fetal effects. Laboratory experiments have resulted in mutagenic effects.

Link to Pesticide info: http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Chemical.jsp?Rec_Id=PC34

and is:

A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Tear drawing; May cause skin sensitization; May cause liver injury; [ICSC] "The vapor is lacrimogenic and can cause keratitis which interferes with vision." [HSDB] Toxic by skin contact and ingestion; A vesicant--causes burns; Lachrymator; May cause pneumonitis and pumonary edema after inhalation of high concentration; [MSDSonline] Reported occupational adverse effects are cutaneous allergy and severe respiratory tract irritation; Threshold for respiratory irritation is about 4 ppm; [AIHA]

Link to Hazardous Materials publication: http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/category-details?id=2626&table=copytblagents

and is classified as a poison that:

Can cause serious or permanent injury

and is listed as a hazardous substance by the NJ Department of Health:

 Allyl isothiocyanate is used in animal repellents: 

 

Allyl Isothiocyanate has also been used as a chemical for crops:

Link to: Biofumigants and fumigants being assessed for tomato crops

http://www.agannex.com/crop-chemicals/biofumigants-and-fumigants-being-assessed-for-tomato-crops

From Pesticides database:

And is a chemical even used in defense sprays: