Toluene

Toluol

108-88-3

C7-H8

Solvents

Methyl benzene; Methyl benzol; Phenyl methane; Toluol; [NIOSH] UN1294

Aromatic Solvents

Colorless liquid with a sweet, pungent, benzene-like odor; [NIOSH]

Derived from petroleum, toluene is used as a solvent and chemical intermediate. Purified toluene contains about 0.01% benzene, but crude toluene may contain as much as 25% benzene. Rotogravure printers were exposed to high concentrations of toluene (decreasing from about 1710 ppm in 1969 to about 43-157 ppm in 1980). [ACGIH] Used in photography (color retouching); [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html]

Chronic abuse from glue sniffing causes permanent cerebral and cerebellar dysfunction. Liver injury has been reported in glue sniffers. [ATSDR Case Studies: Toluene Toxicity] Toluene abuse may induce acute renal failure with rhabdomyolysis documented as the precipitating event in some cases. [Rosenstock, p. 577] Birth defects similar to the fetal alcohol syndrome occur when mothers abuse toluene during pregnancy. A study of women occupationally exposed to toluene showed an increased incidence of spontaneous abortions. [Frazier, p. 184-5] No reproductive toxicity is observed in rats exposed to 500 ppm for 80 days. [ACGIH] "The probability of cognitive deficits due to toluene exposure below a TLV of 50 ppm remains extremely low." [PMID 14598174]

ATSDR Medical Management - Toluene

o-Cresol in urine = 0.3 mg/L (end of shift); Toluene in blood = 0.02 mg/L (prior to last shift of workweek); Toluene in urine = 0.03 mg/L (end of shift); [ACGIH]

No

200 mg/m3, Ceiling(OSHA) = 300 ppm(500 ppm for 10-min peak per 8-hr shift)

50 ppm

Human data: It has been reported that extreme fatigue, mental confusion, exhilaration, nausea, headache and dizziness resulted from exposures to 600 ppm by the end of 3 hours [von Oettingen et al. 1942]. In addition, the following observations have been made: Some workers will tolerate concentrations ranging up to 200 ppm for 6 to 8 hours daily with no demonstrable ill effects; 200 to 500 ppm for 6 to 8 hours will cause tiredness and lassitude in most workers; and concentrations over 500 ppm for 1 to 3 hours are definitely dangerous and will cause symptoms attributable to depression of the central nervous system and the bone marrow [Wilson 1943]. It has also been reported that exposure to concentrations greater than 4,000 ppm for more than 5 minutes might limit self rescue ability [ANSI 1973]. After 20 minutes, exposures to concentrations at 300, 500, or 700 ppm resulted in significant increases in reaction times; a significant decrease in perceptual speed resulted after a 20­minute exposure to 700 ppm [Gamberale and Hultengren 1972].

28.4 mm Hg

0.16 ppm

37 ppm

5300 ppm

LC50 (rat) = 8000 ppm/4H

Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 1.6 ppm); Flash point = 4.4 deg C; [ACGIH]

Blood: 0.5 hours (can range up to 90 hours depending upon fat deposition); for hippuric acid in urine: 1.5 hours; [TDR, p. 1145]

ATSDR - ToxFAQs - Toluene

3: May ignite at ambient temperature

Yes

Yes

CNS Solvent Syndrome

Hepatotoxin, Secondary

Not Classifiable

Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank:

• TOLUENE

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Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Encephalopathy, chronic solvent
• Infertility, female
• Solvents, acute toxic effect

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Painting (Solvents)
• Photographic Processing
• Semiconductor Manufacturing
• Silk-Screen Printing
• Working with Glues and Adhesives

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Painting
• Preparing and mounting animal skins (taxidermy)
• Woodworking