Common Name: Toluene CAS Number: 108-88-3 DOT Number: UN 1294 Date: November 3, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Toluene can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Toluene may cause mutations. Handle with extreme caution. * It may damage the developing fetus. * Toluene is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID and a FIRE HAZARD. * Exposure can irritate the nose, throat, and eyes. Higher levels can cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded, and to pass out. Death can occur. * Repeated exposures can damage bone marrow causing low blood cell count. It can also damage the liver and kidneys. * Toluene can cause slowed reflexes, trouble concentrating, and headaches. * Prolonged contact can cause a skin rash. IDENTIFICATION Toluene is a colorless liquid with a sweet pungent odor. It is used as a solvent and in aviation gasoline, making other chemicals, perfumes, medicines, dyes, explosives, and detergents. REASON FOR CITATION * Toluene is on the Workplace Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, NFPA and other authorities. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is FLAMMABLE. * Definitions are attached. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting air samples. Under OSHA 1910.20, you have a legal right to obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. If you think you are experiencing any work related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. * ODOR THRESHOLD = 2.9 ppm. * The odor threshold only serves as a warning of exposure. Not smelling it does not mean you are not being exposed. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 200 ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift and 300 ppm, not to be exceeded during any 15 minute work period and a maximum peak concentration of 500 ppm. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 100 ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift and 200 ppm, not to be exceeded during any 10 minute work period. * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. * Toluene may cause mutations. All contact with this chemical should be reduced to the lowest possible level. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Toluene and at the end of the workshift. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Toluene to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Toluene: * Exposure can irritate the nose, throat, and eyes. Higher levels can cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded, and to pass out. Death can occur. * Lower levels may cause trouble concentrating, headaches, and slowed reflexes. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Toluene and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Toluene may cause mutations (genetic changes) in living cells. Whether or not it poses a cancer hazard needs further study. Reproductive Hazard * Toluene may damage the developing fetus. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated exposure may damage bone marrow, causing low blood cell count. * Prolonged contact can cause drying and cracking of the skin, and a rash. * Repeated Toluene exposure can cause headaches, loss of appetite, nausea, and liver and kidney damage, and may cause brain damage. MEDICAL TESTING For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or greater, or significant skin contact), the following is recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that: * Urinary Hippuric acid excretion (at the end of shift) as an index of overexposure. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Exam of the nervous system. * Liver and kidney function tests, and evaluation for renal tubular acidosis. * Complete blood count. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following controls are recommended: * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Toluene from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. * Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: Occupational Exposure to Toluene #73 11023. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Toluene should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Toluene. * On skin contact with Toluene, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Toluene, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Toluene is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Toluene. Wear solvent resistant gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. * ACGIH recommends VITON and Fluorene/ Chloroprene as protective materials. Eye Protection * Wear splash proof chemical goggles and face shield when working with liquid Toluene, unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 100 ppm, use an MSHA/NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with an organic vapor cartridge/canister. Increased protection is obtained from full facepiece powered air purifying respirators. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Toluene, or in the case of a full facepiece respirator you experience eye irritation, leave the area immediately. Check to make sure the respirator to face seal is still good. If it is, replace the filter, cartridge, or canister. If the seal is no longer good, you may need a new respirator. * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your workplace. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters, cartridges, or canisters to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. * Exposure to 2,000 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 2,000 ppm exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Toluene you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Toluene must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE) since violent reactions occur. * Protect storage containers from physical damage. * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where Toluene is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. * Metal containers involving the transfer of 5 gallons or more of Toluene should be grounded and bonded. Drums must be equipped with self closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and flame arresters. * Use only non sparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of Toluene. Common Name: Toluene DOT Number: UN 1294 DOT Emergency Guide code: 27 CAS Number: 108-88-3 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 3 REACTIVITY 0 ---------------------------------------- FLAMMABLE LIQUID CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Toluene is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE. * Use dry chemical, CO2, or foam extinguishers. * Vapors may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Toluene is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until clean up is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Ventilate area of spill or leak. * Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material and deposit in sealed containers. * Keep Toluene out of a confined space, such as a sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the sewer is designed to prevent the build up of explosive concentrations. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Toluene as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Pro gram for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== FIRST AID POISON INFORMATION Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. * Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 22 mm Hg at 68oF Flash Point: 40oF Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Benzene, Methyl Other Names and Formulations: Phenylmethane; Toluol; Methylbenzene. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Project CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Toluene is obtained mainly from tar oil. It is used to make many organic compounds, such as benzoic acid, benzaldehyde, dyes, and explosives. It is a commonly used solvent for extraction processes. It may enter the environment mainly from industrial discharges. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Toluene has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. Toluene has caused leaf membrane damage in plants. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of toluene to birds or land animals. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Toluene has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of toluene to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Toluene is slightly soluble in water. Concentrations of less than 1 milligram will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Toluene is non-persistent in water, with a half-life less than 2 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. About 99.5% of toluene will eventually end up in air; the rest will end up in the water. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. The concentration of toluene found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of toluene in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA., Phytotox.