Mercaptan Toxicity

Excerpt

Mercaptans, or thiols, are sulfur-containing compounds with a distinctive and unpleasant odor. Mercaptans are used in various industrial processes, including petroleum refining, chemical manufacturing, and pesticide production. Workers involved in these industries may be exposed to mercaptans through inhalation, dermal contact, or ingestion during the production, handling, or storage of mercaptan-containing substances.

Methyl mercaptan, or methanethiol, acts as an inhibitor of cytochrome c oxidase within complex IV of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, reducing intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels. Organs with elevated metabolic rates, such as the brain and heart, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of methyl mercaptan. Prolonged exposure to methyl mercaptan can lead to metabolic acidosis, primarily due to escalated lactate production through anaerobic metabolism.