Xylene isomers

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

Category

Aromatic Solvents

Description

Colorless liquid with an aromatic odor; [NIOSH]

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] In semiconductor manufacturing, xylene is used to "develop" the pattern in the photoresists; [CHS, p. 44]

Comments

Temporary memory loss, confusion, and laboratory evidence of liver injury have been reported in workers overexposed to xylene. 2021 TLV Basis: eye irritation, irritation of upper respiratory tract, hematological effects, ototoxicity (for p-xylene), CNS impairment; [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] Causes contact urticaria; [Kanerva, p. 219]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Xylenes (technical or commercial grades): 0.3 g/g creatine methylhippuric acids in urine at end of shift; [ACGIH TLVs and BEIs]

No

20 ppm

150 ppm

100 ppm

100 ppm

900 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

It has been reported that 1,000 ppm for 5 minutes or less will probably allow self­rescue 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 short­term memory tests were seen in 15 volunteers exposed to 100 or 300 ppm for 70 minutes [Gamberale et al. 1978].

6.5 mm Hg

0.08 ppm

Odor Threshold High

40 ppm

1467 ppm

LC50 (rat) = 5,000 ppm/4H

Explanatory Notes

Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 20 ppm); The exposure limits apply to all isomers. VP = 6.65-8.80 mm Hg @ 25 deg C; [HSDB]

Whole body: 20-30 hours (longer if significant fat deposition); [TDR, p. 1236]

Reference Link #2

may ignite at ambient temp

Acute solvent syndrome

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

Not classifiable

Not Classifiable

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact urticaria
• Encephalopathy, chronic solvent
• Solvents, acute toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Painting (Solvents)
• Photographic Processing
• Plastic Composites Manufacturing
• Semiconductor Manufacturing
• Silk-Screen Printing
• Working with Glues and Adhesives

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Intalagio printing
• Painting