Toluene, ACS

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview Appearance: Clear, colorless solution Warning! Flammable liquid and vapor. May cause central nervous system depression.

Aspiration hazard

if swallowed; can enter lungs and cause damage. May be absorbed through intact skin. May cause liver and kidney damage. Possible risk of harm to the unborn child. Causes eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. Breathing vapors may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Target Organs: Kidneys, central nervous system, liver, respiratory system, eyes, skin.

Potential health effects

Eye: Contact or exposure to vapors causes eye irritation. Skin: Skin contact causes irritation. Repeated or prolonged exposure may cause drying and cracking of the skin, defatting, and dermatitis. May be absorbed through the skin. Ingestion: Ingestion may cause central nervous system depression, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, weakness, impaired coordination, transient memory loss, and impaired reaction time. If material is aspirated into the lungs, chemical pneumonitis may result, which can be fatal. - 1 - Inhalation: Causes respiratory tract irritation. Inhalation of concentrations greater than 200ppm causes CNS encephalopathy, fatigue, depression, weakness, confusion, headache, nausea, transient memory loss and impaired coordination. 800ppm causes rapid irritation of nasal and mucous membranes, metallic taste, impaired balance. Extreme inhalation may cause death by paralysis of the respiratory center. Chronic: Repeated exposure in combination with constant, loud noise may cause hearing loss and dizziness. Chronic hydrocarbon abuse has been linked to irregular heart rhythms and potential cardiac arrest. Toluene abuse has been linked to kidney disease, blood, protein, and pus in the urine, elevated serum creatine, decreased urinary output, and metabolic and tubular acidosis. Repeated inhalation may cause irreversible encephalopathy with cerebellar ataxia, unsteadiness, hallucinations, coma, blood disorders. Toluene does not cause the severe injury to bone marrow that is characteristic of benzene poisoning.