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Safety and Health Topics: |
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| Toluene |
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General Description
Synonyms: Toluol; Phenyl methane; Methyl benzene
OSHA IMIS Code Number: 2460
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 108-88-3
NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: XS5250000
Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1294 130
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Toluene: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-2 Table -- 200 ppm TWA; Also, exposures shall not exceed 300 ppm (ceiling) with the following exception: exposures may exceed 300 ppm, but not more than 500 ppm (peak), for a single time period up to 10 minutes for any 8-hour shift.
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 200 ppm, 750 mg/m3 TWA
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 200 ppm, 750 mg/m3, 100 Skin TWA
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 50 ppm, 188 mg/m3 TWA; Skin; Appendix A4 - Not Classifiable as a Human
Carcinogen; BEI
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 100 ppm, 375 mg/m3 TWA; 150 ppm, 560 mg/m3 STEL
Health Factors
National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification:
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification:
NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 500 ppm
Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, nose, skin; drowsiness, fatigue, weakness; confusion, euphoria, dizziness; headache; unconsciousness; nausea; dilated pupils, lacrimation; anxiety; muscle fatigue; insomnia; paresthesia; dermatitis (from repeated or prolonged contact); liver, kidney damage; metallic taste, impaired balance, tremors, impairment of speech, hearing and vision, brain damage; loss of appetite; hyposmia, neurobehavioral abnormalities. INGES ACUTE: Abdominal pain; burning sensation in mouth and stomach.
Health Effects: Irritation - Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Moderate (HE15) Narcosis (HE8)
Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, CNS, liver, kidneys
Notes: 1) Vapor/air mixtures are explosive. 2) Fatal concentration is estimated to be 1,800 to 2,000 ppm over one hour. 3) Occupational exposure may result in hearing loss (ototoxicity) or sub-clinical impairment of color vision. 4) Metabolized by several cytochrome P-450s to benzyl alcohol (2E1 et al.), p-cresol (2E1, 2B6, 1A2) and o-cresol (1A2).
Date Last Revised: 03/17/2004
Literature Basis:
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Toluene.
- International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Toluene.
- Hobara, T., Okuda, M., Gotoh, M. Oki, K., Segawa, H. and Kunitsugo, I: Estimation of the lethal toluene concentration from the accidental death of painting workers. Ind. Health 38(2): 228-231, 2000.
- Inoue, O., Kanno, E., Kasai, K., Ukai, H., Okamoto, S. and Ikeda, M.: Benzylmercapturic acid is superior to hippuric acid and o-cresol as a urinary marker of occupational exposure to toluene. Toxicol. Lett. 147(1): 177-186, 2004.
- Iregren, A., Andersson, M. and Nylen, P.: Color vision and occupational chemical exposures: I. An overview of tests and effects. Neurotoxicology 23(6): 719-733, 2002.
- Meulenberg, C.J. and Vijverberg, H.P.: Selective inhibition of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors in human IMR-32 cells by low concentrations of toluene. Toxicology 190(3): 243-248, 2003.
- Nakajima, T., et al.: Toluene metabolism by cDNA-expressed human hepatic cytochrome P450. Biochem. Pharmacol. 53(3): 271-277, 1997.
- Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Toluene. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 2222-2225.
- Schaper, M., Demes, P., Zupanic, M., Blaszkwicz, M. and Seeber, A.: Occupational toluene exposure and auditory function: results from a follow-up study. Ann. Occup. Hyg. 47(6): 493-502, 2003.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
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sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
analytical solvent: Dimethylformamide/Carbon Disulfide (60:40)
alternative solvent: Carbon Disulfide/Dimethylformamide (99:1)
maximum volume: 12 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (TWA)
minimum time: >10 Minutes maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (Ceiling)
minimum time: 1 Minute maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (Peak)
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 111)
method classification: Fully Validated
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sampling media: Anasorb 747 (140/70 mg sections)
analytical solvent: Dimethylformamide/Carbon Disulfide (60:40)
maximum volume: 12 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (TWA)
minimum time: >10 Minutes maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (Ceiling)
minimum time: 1 Minute maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (Peak)
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 111)
method classification: Fully Validated
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sampling media: Diffusive Sampler (SKC 575-002 Passive Sampler)
analytical solvent: Dimethylformamide/Carbon Disulfide (60:40)
minimum time: < or = 240 Minutes (TWA)
minimum time: > 10 Minutes (Ceiling)
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 111)
method classification: Fully Validated
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sampling media: Diffusive Sampler (3M 3520 Organic Vapor Monitor)
analytical solvent: Dimethylformamide/Carbon Disulfide (60:40)
minimum time: < or = 240 Minutes (TWA)
minimum time: > 10 Minutes (Ceiling)
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 111)
method classification: Fully Validated
On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Gastec
model/type: 122
sampling information: 0.5 to 2 strokes
upper measurement limit: 690 ppm
detection limit: 1 ppm
overall uncertainty: 16% for 10 to 100 ppm, 8% for 200 to 300 ppm
method reference: on-site air secondary (SEI Certified)
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
model/type: 8014-124SA
sampling information: 1 stroke
upper measurement limit: 500 ppm
detection limit: approximately 5 ppm
overall uncertainty: unknown
method reference: on-site air secondary (SEI Certified)
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