Vinyl toluene

Synonyms

Methyl styrene; 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

Category

Styrenes

Description

Colorless liquid with a strong, disagreeable odor; [NIOSH]

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]

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] Vinyltoluenes, stabilized (UN2618) has warning of explosive polymerization; [ERG 2016]

Biomedical References

No

10 ppm

100 ppm

20 ppm

400 ppm

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].

1.6 mm Hg

10 ppm

LC50 (mice) = 3,020 mg/m3/4h

Yes

Explanatory Notes

Odor threshold from "Quick Guide: The Electronic NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards"; Flash point = 60 deg C; VP from HSDB;

high ambient temp required

Acute solvent syndrome

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

Not classifiable

Not Classifiable

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Solvents, acute toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Plastic Composites Manufacturing