| Agent Name |
Vinyl toluene |
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| Alternative Name |
Methyl styrene |
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| CAS Number |
25013-15-4 |
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| Formula |
C9-H10 |
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| Major Category |
Plastics & Rubber |
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| Synonyms |
3- and 4-Vinyl toluene (mixed isomers); Benzene, ethenylmethyl-; Ethenylmethylbenzene; Methylethenylbenzene; Methylstyrene; Methylvinylbenzene; Styrene, ar-methyl-; Styrene, methyl- (mixed isomers); Toluene, vinyl- (mixed isomers); Tolylethylene; Vinyl toluene; Vinyltoluene; Vinyltoluene,industrial; alpha,beta-Styrene; [ChemIDplus] UN2618 |
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| Category |
Styrenes |
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| Description |
Colorless liquid with a strong, disagreeable odor; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used as a monomer in the production of plastics and surface coatings and as an intermediate in the synthesis of certain insecticides; [ACGIH] |
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| Comments |
Vinyl toluene is similar to styrene in its toxicological properties. Fatty degeneration of the liver occurs in acute animal studies. Human subjects found the odor detectable at 50 ppm and objectionable at 300 ppm. [ACGIH] Mainly an eye and respiratory tract irritant, it can cause central nervous system depression after absorption of high doses. [NIOSH Guidelines for Chemical Hazards] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations may cause CNS effects; May cause liver injury; [ICSC] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
50 ppm |
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| STEL (ACGIH) |
100 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
100 ppm |
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| MAK |
100 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
400 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Other animal data: A considerable number of rats and guinea pigs exposed to 3,000 ppm for 7 to 8 hours/day, 5 days/week for up to 6 months died [Gerarde 1960; Wolf et al. 1956]. Rats and guinea pigs had slight changes in liver and kidney weights and some reduction in body weight following exposure to 800 ppm for 7 hours/day, 5 days/week for 27 days [Wolf et al. 1956]. No adverse effects were noted in rats, rabbits, mice, monkeys, and guinea pigs exposed 7 hours/day, 5 days/week for 5 months to 200 ppm [Wolf et al. 1956]. . . . Human data: Four volunteers reported a definite unpleasant odor and slight eye irritation after about 2 minutes of exposure to 200 ppm [Wolf et al. 1956]. Strong eye and nasal irritation has been noted at concentrations above 600 ppm [Gerarde 1960; Wolf et al. 1956]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
1 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
10 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (mice) = 3,020 mg/m3/4h |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold from "Quick Guide: The Electronic NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards"; Flash point = 60 deg C; |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
2: high ambient temperature required |
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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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| 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: VINYL TOLUENE
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