Neurotoxicology division, mail drop 74b, research triangle park, north carolina 27711. May be irritating to the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Toluene is used in making paints, paint thinners, fingernail polish, lacquers, adhesives, and rubber and in. Both tdi and mdi combine readily with biological macromolecules including. Toluene is a major component of tobacco smoke and concentrations can vary greatly. Toluene toxicity agency for toxic substances centers for. All atsdr toxicological profile pdf files are electronic conversions from paper copy or other electronic ascii text files. Longterm and intense exposure to toluene vapors in humans who abuse spray paint and related substances has led to the recognition that toluene has a severe impact on central nervous system myelin. Aug 18, 2015 toluene intoxication due to intentional inhalation is a common admission diagnosis in mexico and it can lead to death. Toluene has caused membrane damage to the leaves in plants. In case of skin contact wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Safety data sheet northwest missouri state university. Sep 26, 2019 all atsdr toxicological profile pdf files are electronic conversions from paper copy or other electronic ascii text files. Guidelines for reproductive toxicity risk assessment u. A dosimetric analysis of behavioral effects of acute toluene. When toluene was added directly to the growth medium it was found to be toxic to the organisms but the toxic effect could be alleviated in the presence of other carbon sources and by the acclimation of the cells. It is routinely added to gasoline as an additive along with benzene and xylene to increase the octane. The remaining 14% was a filler of nheptane, to reduce the octane to meet formula one fuel restrictions. Get medical attention if irritation develops and persists.
May 31, 2017 keep toluene containing products tightly covered when not in use to prevent evaporation. Alcohols, c1618, ethoxylated propoxylated toxicity to aquatic plants. Pdf organic solvents are pervasive in the communal and industrial environments. What are other names or identifying information for toluene. Health and environmental concerns january 2011 t e c h n i c a l b r i e f i n g the lowell center for sustainable production at. Toluene and xylene are strong compounds that are used in many household and industrial products. Cyp2e1 seems to be the primary enzyme in the hydroxylation of toluene, accounting for roughly 44% of toluene metabolism. Page 2 of 16 msds toluene potential health effects repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.
Circadian variations of acute toxicity and blood and brain concentrations of. Information on ingredients chemical ingredient cas no. Toluene white matter dementia toxic leukoencephalopathy inhalants. Human studies have, in general, only reported minor changes in. Toluene can also leak from underground storage tanks at gasoline stations and other facilities. The literature contains many reports concerning toluene toxicity to internal organs and. The results for the eightgroup analyses combining il2 data from hsieh et al. Both sources provide toluene for commercial use, but larger amounts are made by catalytic r. Safety and health topics toluene health hazards and. Toluene monomethylbenzene is used to backblend gasoline, as a chemical intermediate, and as a solvent. Toluene safety data sheet according to federal register vol.
A total of 20 male rabbits were used as control and experimental groups. Toluene that is absorbed into the blood is distributed throughout the body. In addition, the following observations have been made. Firstaid measures general advice if symptoms persist, call a physician. The epa has labeled toluene as an hap and a toxic substance. Cranial mr findings in chronic toluene abuse by inhalation. Toluene is also highly flammable and may catch on fire if exposed to heat or flames. General toxicity the main target organ of toluene induced toxicity is the central nervous system cns. Their symptoms were stupefaction, paresis, and amnesia.
Consumer exposure can also occur from the application of. Some test results have shown that toluene was teratogenic in the absence of maternal toxicity, but the applicability of these results to whmis is unknown. Toluene vapours are irritating to the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract. Users are referred to the original paper copy of the toxicological profile for the official text, figures, and tables. Toluene is also an irritant to the skin and mucous membranes. At present it is generally assumed that the maximal permissible concentration of toluene is about 200 parts per million parts of. Supplier and substance identification product information product name. Can toxicity be an effective treatment for toluene. Have product label or this safety data sheet at hand. For advice, contact the national poison centre phone new zs ealand.
Safety data sheet toluene diisocyanate revision date. Pdf toluene abuse and white matter a model of toxic. Toluene is a clear colorless liquid possessing high vapor pressure and low to moderate water solubility. Toluene is used extensively as a solvent in the lacquer industry, and in the explosives industry it plays an important role as a starting material for trinitrotoluene. It has moderate acute shortterm toxicity on aquatic life. Studies in humans indicate that the common analgesics, acetaminophen and aspirin, might inhibit toluene metabolism and influence toluene toxicity. Aspirin and one of the principal downstream metabolites of toluene. The central nervous system cns is the primary target organ for toluene toxicity in both humans and animals for acute shortterm and chronic longterm exposures. This material does not contain any class 1 ozone depletors. Salicylates can competitively inhibit toluene metabolism.
It can occur also from gluing hobbyist and doityourself carpet laying with toluene containing materials. Use of toluene is increasing, in part because of its popularity as a solvent replacement for benzene. Skin contact wash off immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Most toluene produced is derived from petroleum fractions. Toxic effects of toluene on the growth of activated sludge.
Many organic solvents have great addictive potential. Employers are required to train all workers who use materials containing toluene about the health and safety hazards of toluene, how to recognize exposure to toluene, and the protective measures that apply to the use of toluene in the specific work area. This product is not known to contain any components at 0. Reproductive and developmental toxicity of toluene. Sections i health hazard assessments for noncarcinogenic. If swallowed, may be aspirated and cause lung damage. In the development of this document, the published relevant scientific literature has been. Pdf the brain is the primary target of toluene methylbenzene, the.
It is safe or dangerous to use toxicity while suffering from toluene. Toluene in sewage and sludge in wastewater treatment plants. Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less. Similar effects are not proven for pure toluene, but in the past. An increase in liver and kidney weights at a high dose 450 milligrams per kilogram of bodyweight or mgkgday of toluene and toxicity to those organs at higher doses was observed in an oral exposure rat study. Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance. Exposure to toluene may occur from breathing ambient or indoor air affected by such sources.
It is used as a solvent in paints, adhesives, ink, and cleaning compounds. The amount of toluene in mainstream smoke from an unfiltered cigarette was estimated to range from 100 to 200 g with a sidestreammainstream smoke ratio of 1. Toluene is a widely used industrial solvent, and humans may also have high exposures to toluene from the deliberate inhalation sniffing of paint reducer, paint thinner, or paint for their narcotic effects. This conversion may have resulted in character translation or format errors.
Toluene, also known as methylbenzene, phenylmethane or toluol is a clear, colorless liquid with a sweet smell. Effects of acute toluene toxicity on different regions of. It is used as a solvent and as an additive in gasolines to improve octane ratings. The first four seem to be involved in the hydroxylation of toluene to benzyl alcohol. See working with the information on this page section below for important notes about this data. In recent decades the organic solvent toluene methylbenzene has emerged as one of the beststudied neurotoxins. The statement has been derived from the properties of the individual.
Toluene toxicity cdc stacks centers for disease control. Toluene safety in the workplace occupational safety and. The statement of the toxic effect relates to the analytically determined concentration. Toluene methylbenzene, toluol, phenylmethane is an aromatic hydrocarbon c7 h8 commonly used as an industrial solvent for the manufacturing of paints, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and rubber. Two patients exposed to high concentrations of toluene in air greater than 7000 mgm3 were found at the bottom of a small swimming pool under construction. Keep toluene containing products tightly covered when not in use to prevent evaporation. Toluene c6h5ch3 is the most common aromatic component of crude oil, followed by the. Opinion of the scientific committee on consumer products. Apr 29, 2019 toluene methylbenzene, toluol, phenylmethane is an aromatic hydrocarbon c7 h8 commonly used as an industrial solvent for the manufacturing of paints, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and rubber. When toluene containing products are placed in landfills or waste disposal sites, toluene can enter the soil and water near the waste site. Toluene occurs naturally in crude oil and in the tolu tree. The concentration per cigarette in sidestream smoke is typically higher than in mainstream smoke. To merge heterogenous studies risks inappropriate transforms and distor tions.
Pdf toxicology of solvents including alcohol researchgate. The acute phase effects of toluene on the brain have been investigated in this study using rabbit brain via histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical methods. If inhaled if breathed in, move person into fresh air. Mechanisms of resistance of whole cells to toxic organic. Toluene, also called methylbenzene, is an organic chemical compound with a chemical formula of c7h8. Acute exposure to high levels of 2,4 toluene diisocyanate in humans, via inhalation, results in severe irritation of the skin, eyes, and nose, and causes nausea and vomiting. Toluene is a manmade aromatic hydrocarbon produced mostly from petroleum. In a study combining neuropsychological testing and brain mri in. What are the most important things to know about toluene in an emergency. Toluene is an aromatic hydrocarbon a methylsubstituted benzene derivative, which occurs as a clear colorless volatile liquid and possesses a pungent, benzenelike odor.
Chronic abuse of toluene by inhalation causes variable white matter changes and thalamic hypointensity on t2weighted mr images. It is also produced in the process of making gasoline and other fuels from crude oil and making coke from coal. The substance is not regulated in an annex to the cosmetics directive nor has it been evaluated by the sccnfpsccp before. Acute toluene intoxicationclinical presentation, management. Insoluble in water, it is a colorless liquid with an odor similar to that of paint thinners. Toluene exposure has not been generally associated with liver toxicity 4,9, although acute fatty. Feb 10, 2008 determine the molality of a solution of toluene methylbenzene dissolved in benzene for which the mole fraction of toluene is 0.
Consumer exposure to toluene can occur from the use of paints and coatings containing toluene in the home. More recent data suggest reproductive effects, since rats exposed to toluene were found to have spermatic dysfunction ono et al. In the air it quickly is reacted into other chemicals, in the water and soil bacteria break it down. A number of case reports describe neonatal effects that have been attributed to toluene abuse during pregnancy. Users are referred to the original paper copy of the toxicological profile. Effects of toluene on the central nervous system journal. The principal source of toluene exposure for the general population is gasoline, which contains 5% to 7% toluene by weight.
Frozen bromine trifluoride reacts violently with toluene at 80 deg. Toluene and xylene poisoning can occur when someone swallows these substances, breathes in their fumes, or when these substances touch the skin. Toluene methylbenzene national pollutant inventory. Most acute cases of toluene toxicity occur in young males aged 1119 years who participate in glue sniffing as a group activity, but cases have been reported in people in their 50s and 60s. Inhalation the acute toxic effects following inhalation of toluene are summarised in the table. Although many are potent central nervous system agents. Moreover, nerve growth factor ngf, tumor necrosis factoralpha tnfalpha, dopamine da, and glial fibrillary acidic protein gfap tests were. To merge heterogenous studies risks inappropriate transforms and distor. Determine the molality of a solution of toluene methylbenzene dissolved in benzene for which the mole fraction of toluene is 0. Toluene is released to the atmosphere during the production, transport, and combustion of gasoline. Cyp2e1 is involved in the initial step of the principal metabolic pathway for toluene and acetaminophen, and represents a potential site for a competitive metabolic interaction. Threshold limit values tlv and immediately dangerous to life and health idlh values tlv tlv substance twa stel idlh tlv tlv substance twa stel idlh acetaldehyde 25c 2,000 acetic acid 10 15 50 acetone 500 750 2,500 acetonitirle 20 500 acrolein 0. Pdf behavioral toxicology of carbon disulfide and toluene.
In the european union, formaldehyde is classified as possibly carcinogenic in humans category 3, 2 clp, toluene as possibly toxic for foetal development category 3, 2 clp. Toluene is a clear, colorless, flammable liquid that is naturally found in petroleum. In a study 58 of 15 patients with bilateral optic neuropathy secondary to toluene toxicity, treatment of all patients revealed that 6 patients had improved visual acuities of two or more lines, 3 of whom showed normal p100 peak latency in the pattern visual evoked cortical potentials. Material safety data sheet toluene, acs 6 cerclasara section 3.
Eye contact rinse immediately with plenty of water, also under the eyelids, for at least 15 minutes. Toluene can be used as an octane booster in gasoline fuels for internal combustion engines as well as jet fuel. Reacts chemically with nitrogen oxides, or halogens to form nitrotoluene, nitrobenzene, and nitrophenol and halogenated products, respectively. Toluene intoxication due to intentional inhalation is a common admission diagnosis in mexico and it can lead to death. Toluene can enter surface waters and groundwater e. Toluene at 86% by volume fuelled all the turbocharged engines in formula one during the 1980s, first pioneered by the honda team. Toxicological profile for toluene diisocyanate and. The hallmarks of toluene intoxication are hypokalemic paralysis and metabolic acidosis. Safety data sheet according to 29cfr19101200 and ghs rev. Clinical evidence, animal studies, and molecular targets. The right to know hazardous substance fact sheets are not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. If your well water has high levels of toluene, contact your local or state health agency or the centers for disease control and prevention cdc for information on how to reduce your exposure. The purpose of our study was to assess cranial mr findings in a large series of patients who chronically abuse toluene containing solvents to investigate the factors causing the qualitative variability of white matter changes and.
Solvent abuse toluene being the major component is remarkably common, especially in young people with psychosocial stressors, and with chronic use can lead to numerous illeffects, particularly affecting the central nervous system. The toxicity of toluene to aquatic organisms such as fish and crustaceans is. The growth of to4 on toluene has never been previously reported. In 1991, 3,104,000 megagrams 944 million gallons of toluene. It dissolves other substances easily and evaporates quickly into the air. The main sources of information for this fact sheet are the agency for toxic substances and disease registrys atsdrs toxicological profile for benzene 1 and epas integrated risk information system iris 4.
It is added to gasoline at 5 to 7 percent by weight to improve the octane rating. Often toluene exposure occurs in conjunction with benzene and since they are to some degree metabolised by the same enzymes, the relative concentrations will determine their rate of elimination. However, it has been evaluated by the scientific committee on toxicology, ecotoxicology and environment sctee in its opinion of 12 june 2001. Toluene is added to gasoline, used to produce benzene, and used as a solvent. Toluene is water insoluble but is miscible with other organic solvents. Toluene inhalation can lead to a toxic optic neuropathy. Do not use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. Medical neurotoxicity and mechanism of toluene abuse. It comprises 1520 percent of coaltar light oil and is a minor constituent of petroleum. Of course the longer it takes for toluene to be eliminated the more harm it is likely to do. Toluene, aromatic hydrocarbon used extensively as starting material for the manufacture of industrial chemicals. The acute neurological symptoms are accompanied by severe metabolic alterations, as well as organ injury and dysfunction.
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