Toluene

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Flammability Toxicity (2) Health Body Contact © Flammability Reactivity ©) Chronic 1 2 3 4 Fire Diamond Min Low Moderate High Extreme ANSI Signal Word Danger! Flammable youve Emergency Overview 0% Colorless liquid; sickly, sweet odor. Irritating to eyes/skin/respiratory tract. Other Acute Effects: weakness, headache, dizziness, confusion, insomnia. Chronic Effects: liver/kidney damage, may cause birth defects. Flammable.

Potential health effects

Target Organs: Skin, liver, kidneys, central nervous system.

Principle Routes of Exposure

Inhalation, skin contact/absorbtion Acute Effects Inhalation: The vapor is highly discomforting to the upper respiratory tract. Inhalation hazard is increased at higher temperatures. Copyright © 2006 by Genium Group, Inc. Any commercial use or reproduction without the publisher’s permission is prohibited. Judgments as to the suitability of information herein for the purchaser’ s purposes are necessarily the purchaser’s responsibility. Although reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of such information, Genium Group, Inc. extends no warranties, makes no representations, and assumes no responsibility as to the accuracy or suitability of such information for application to the purchaser’s intended purpose or for consequences of its use. Acute effects from inhalation of high concentrations of vapor are pulmonary irritation, including coughing, with nausea; central nervous system depression - characterized by headache and dizziness, increased reaction time, fatigue and loss of coordination. If exposure to highly concentrated solvent atmosphere is prolonged this may lead to narcosis, unconsciousness, even coma and possible death. Central nervous system (CNS) depression may include nonspecific discomfort, symptoms of giddiness, headache, dizziness, nausea, anesthetic effects, slowed reaction time, slurred speech and may progress to unconsciousness. Serious poisonings may result in respiratory depression and may be fatal. Eye: The liquid produces a high level of eye discomfort and is capable of causing pain and severe conjunctivitis. Corneal injury may develop, with possible permanent impairment of vision, if not promptly and adequately treated. The vapor is discomforting to the eyes if exposure is prolonged. The material may produce severe irritation to the eye causing pronounced inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis. Skin: The liquid may produce skin discomfort following prolonged contact. Defatting and/or drying of the skin may lead to dermatitis and it is absorbed by skin. Toxic effects may result from skin absorption. Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material. The material may accentuate any pre-existing skin condition. The material may cause skin irritation after prolonged or repeated exposure and may produce a contact dermatitis (nonallergic). This form of dermatitis is often characterized by skin redness (erythema) and swelling (edema) which may progress to vesiculation, scaling and thickening of the epidermis. Histologically there may be intercellular edema of the spongy layer (spongiosis) and intracellular edema of the epidermis. Ingestion: Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments. The liquid may produce gastrointestinal discomfort and may be harmful if swallowed. Ingestion may result in nausea, pain and vomiting. Vomit entering the lungs by aspiration may cause potentially lethal chemical pneumonitis. Carcinogenicity: NTP - Not listed; IARC - Group 3, Not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans; OSHA - Not listed; NIOSH - Not listed; ACGIH - Class A4, Not classifiable as a human carcinogen; EPA - Class D, Not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity; MAK - Not listed.

Potential chronic health

Chronic solvent inhalation exposures may result in nervous system impairment and liver and blood changes. Chronic toluene habituation occurs following intentional abuse (glue-sniffing) or from occupational exposure. Ataxia, incoordination and tremors of the hands and feet (as a consequence of diffuse cerebral atrophy), headache, abnormal speech, transient memory loss, convulsions, coma, drowsiness, reduced color perception, frank blindness, nystagmus (rapid, involuntary eye-movements), decreased hearing leading to deafness and mild dementia have all been associated with chronic abuse. Peripheral nerve damage, encephalopathy, giant axonopathy, electrolyte disturbances in the cerebrospinal fluid and abnormal computer tomographic (CT) scans are common amongst toluene addicts. Although toluene abuse has been linked with kidney disease, this does not commonly appear in cases of occupational toluene exposures. Cardiac and hematological toxicity are however associated with chronic toluene exposure. Cardiac arrhythmia, multifocal and premature ventricular contractions and supraventricular tachycardia are present in 20% of patients who abused toluene- containing paints. Previous suggestions that chronic toluene inhalation produced human peripheral neuropathy have largely been discounted. However central nervous system (CNS) depression is well documented where blood toluene levels exceed 2.2 mg%. Toluene abusers can achieve transient circulating concentrations of 6.5 mg%. Amongst workers exposed for a median time of 29 years to toluene no subacute effects on neurasthenic complaints and pyschometric test results could be established. The prenatal toxicity of very high toluene concentrations has been documented for several animal species and man. Malformations indicative of specific teratogenicity have not generally been found. The toxicity described in the literature takes the form of embryo death or delayed fetal growth and delayed skeletal system development. Permanent damage of children has been seen only when mothers had suffered from chronic intoxication as a result of "sniffing".