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Safety and Health Topics: |
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| Xylene |
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General Description
Synonyms: o-, m-, and p-Isomers; Xylol; Dimethylbenzene
OSHA IMIS Code Number: 2590
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 1330-20-7
Other Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Numbers: 108-38-3 (m-Xylene); 95-47-6 (o-Xylene); 106-42-3 (p-Xylene)
NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: ZE2275000 m-Xylene; ZE2450000 o-Xylene; ZE2625000 p-Xylene
Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1307 130
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, m-Xylene, o-Xylene, and p-Xylene: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 100 ppm, 435 mg/m3 TWA (PEL listed under Xylenes (o-, m-, p-isomers))
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 100 ppm, 435 mg/m3 TWA (PEL listed under Xylenes (o-, m-, p-isomers))
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 100 ppm, 435 mg/m3 TWA (PEL listed under Xylenes (o-, m-, p-isomers))
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 100 ppm, 434 mg/m3 TWA; 150 ppm, 651 mg/m3 STEL; Appendix A4 - Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen; BEI (TLV listed under Xylene (o, m & p isomers))
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 100 ppm, 435 mg/m3 TWA, 150 ppm, 655 mg/m3 STEL (REL listed under m-Xylene, o-Xylene, & p-Xylene)
Health Factors
NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 900 ppm
Potential symptoms: Dizziness, excitement, drowsiness, incoordination, staggering gait, impaired reaction time, impaired short-term memory; headache; eye, nose, throat irritation; corneal vacuolization; anorexia; nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain; dryness and scaling of the skin, dermatitis; reversible liver and kidney damage after exposure to sudden high concentrations. INGES ACUTE: Burning sensation in mouth and throat; abdominal pain.
Health Effects: Irritation - Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Moderate (HE15) Narcosis (HE8)
Affected organs: CNS, eyes, skin, respiratory system, GI tract, blood, liver, kidneys.
Notes: 1) May be involved in ototoxicity associated with exposure to solvents containing xylene. 2) Urinary metabolites (presumed to be formed by CYP2E1), which are isomers of methylhippuric acid, are used for the biomonitoring of exposure.
Date Last Revised: 05/07/2004
Literature Basis:
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: o-Xylene.
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: m-Xylene.
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: p-Xylene.
- International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): o-Xylene.
- International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): m-Xylene.
- International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): p-Xylene.
- EPA Air Toxics Website: Xylenes (Mixed Isomers). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Network.
- Gonzalez-Reche, L.M., Schettgen, T. and Angerer, J.: New approaches to the metabolism of xylenes: verification of the formation of phenylmercapturic acid metabolites of xylenes. Arch. Toxicol. 77(2): 80-85, 2003.
- Jacobson, G.A. and McLean, S.: Biological monitoring of low level occupational xylene exposure and the role of recent exposure. Ann. Occup. Hyg. 47(4): 331-336, 2003.
- Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Xylenes. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 2340-2342.
- Sulkowski, W.J., et al.: Effects of occupational exposure to a mixture of solvents on the inner ear: a field study. Int. J. Occup. Med. Environ. Health 15(3): 247-256, 2002.
- Trujillo, F., Dang, D. and Stark, T.: Xylene keratopathy: a case report and review of the literature. Cornea 22(5): 88-90, 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: Carbon Disulfide
alternative solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:Dimethylformamide
maximum volume: 12 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (TWA)
minimum volume: 0.25 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (STEL)
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1002)
method classification: Fully Validated
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sampling media: Diffusive Sampler (SKC 575-002 Passive Sampler)
analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
sampling time: 5 to 240 Minutes (TWA)
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1002)
method classification: Fully Validated
On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Gastec
model/type: 123
sampling information: 0.5 to 2 strokes
upper measurement limit: 625 ppm
detection limit: 1 ppm
overall uncertainty: 16% for 10 to 50 ppm, 8% for 50 to 250 ppm
method reference: on-site air secondary (SEI Certified)
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
model/type: 8014-143SA
sampling information: 2 strokes
upper measurement limit: 1000 ppm
detection limit: approximately 2 ppm
overall uncertainty: unknown
method reference: on-site air secondary (SEI Certified)
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