| Agent Name |
Xylene isomers |
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| Alternative Name |
Dimethylbenzene |
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| CAS Number |
1330-20-7; 95-47-6; 108-38-3; 106-42-3 |
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| Formula |
C8-H10 |
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| Major Category |
Solvents |
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| Synonyms |
Benzene, dimethyl-; Dimethylbenzene; Ksylen [Polish]; Methyl toluene; Methyltoluene; Violet 3; Xiloli [Italian]; Xylenen [Dutch]; Xylenes; Xylol; Xylole [German]; [ChemIDplus]; includes m-xylene (108-38-3), o-xylene (95-47-6), p-xylene (106-42-3); UN1307 |
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| Category |
Aromatic Solvents |
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| Description |
Colorless liquid with an aromatic odor; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used as a solvent in paints, coatings, and rubber cement; used as a chemical intermediate; [ACGIH] Used in photography (color retouching); [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html] |
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| Comments |
Temporary memory loss, confusion, and laboratory evidence of liver injury have been reported in workers overexposed to xylene. [ACGIH] There is limited evidence that xylene can increase spontaneous abortions in exposed workers and birth defects in experimental animals. [ATSDR Case Studies #29] Xylene is in the list of "Some volatile substances which may be abused by inhalation" published on the web site of the U.N. International Drug Control Programme, indicating its potential to cause narcosis in workers. [Flanagan et al. Volatile Substance Abuse] A skin and eye irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations may cause CNS effects; [ICSC] |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR Medical Management - Xylene |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| BEI |
Methylhippuric acids in urine = 1.5 g/g creatinine; end of shift; |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
100 ppm |
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| STEL (ACGIH) |
150 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
100 ppm |
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| MAK |
100 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
900 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
It has been reported that 1,000 ppm for 5 minutes or less will probably allow self�rescue with no irreversible injury [ANSI 1971]. Volunteers found 200 ppm to be definitely irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat [Nelson et al. 1943]. Reaction time was not affected in 23 volunteers exposed to 100 or 200 ppm for 3 to 7 hours [Ogata et al. 1970]. No noticeable changes in reaction time or short�term memory tests were seen in 15 volunteers exposed to 100 or 300 ppm for 70 minutes [Gamberale et al. 1978]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
6.5 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
0.08 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
40 ppm |
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| RD50 |
1467 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 5,000 ppm/4H |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 20 ppm); VP = approximately 6-6.5 mm Hg at 20 deg C; [CHEMINFO] The exposure limits apply to all isomers. |
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| Half Life |
Whole body: 20-30 hours (longer if significant fat deposition); [TDR, p. 1236] |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR - ToxFAQs - Xylene |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
3: may ignite at ambient temperature |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Neurotoxin |
CNS Solvent Syndrome |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
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| Reproductive Toxin |
Yes |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Not Classifiable |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: XYLENE
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