You are now connected to the HSDB file. ==TOLUENE AND SKIN== 1 - HSDB NAME OF SUBSTANCE TOLUENE CAS REGISTRY NUMBER 108-88-3 SYNONYMS ANTISAL 1A **PEER REVIEWED** SYNONYMS BENZENE, METHYL- **PEER REVIEWED** SYNONYMS Caswell no 859 **PEER REVIEWED** SYNONYMS CP 25 **PEER REVIEWED** SYNONYMS METHACIDE **PEER REVIEWED** SYNONYMS METHANE, PHENYL- **PEER REVIEWED** SYNONYMS METHYLBENZENE **PEER REVIEWED** SYNONYMS METHYLBENZOL **PEER REVIEWED** SYNONYMS NCI-C07272 **PEER REVIEWED** SYNONYMS PHENYLMETHANE **PEER REVIEWED** SYNONYMS TOLUEEN (DUTCH) **PEER REVIEWED** SYNONYMS TOLUEN (CZECH) **PEER REVIEWED** SYNONYMS TOLUOL **PEER REVIEWED** SYNONYMS TOLUOLO (ITALIAN) **PEER REVIEWED** MAJOR USES In manufacture benzoic acid, benzaldehyde, explosives, dyes, and many other organic compounds; as a solvent for paints, lacquers, gums, resins, in the extraction of various principles from plants; as gasoline additive. [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989., p. 1501] **PEER REVIEWED** MAJOR USES DILUENT FOR PHOTOGRAVURE INKS [International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983., p. 2184] **PEER REVIEWED** MAJOR USES IN FABRIC & PAPER COATING, MFR ARTIFICIAL LEATHER [Browning, E. Toxicity and Metabolism of Industrial Solvents. New York: American Elsevier, 1965., p. 67] **PEER REVIEWED** MAJOR USES Used in cements, solvents, spot removers, cosmetics, antifreezes, and inks. [Gleason MN; Chem Tox of Comm Prod, 3rd Ed, 1969 as cited in USEPA; Health Assessment Document: Toluene (Draft) (1982) EPA-600/8-82-008] **PEER REVIEWED** MAJOR USES Asphalt and naphtha constituent. Detergent manufacture. [USEPA. Identification of Organic Cmpds in Effluents from Industrial Sources, (1975) EPA 560/3-75-002] **PEER REVIEWED** MAJOR USES Mfg caprolactam, saccharin, medicines, and perfumes; diluent and thinner in nitrocellulose lacquers, adhesive solvent in plastic toys and model airplanes. [Verschueren, K. Handbook of Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 1103] **PEER REVIEWED** MAJOR USES Fuel blending [ITII. Toxic and Hazardous Industrial Chemicals Safety Manual. Tokyo, Japan: The International Technical Information Institute, 1988., p. 525] **PEER REVIEWED** MAJOR USES DENATURANT [SRI] **PEER REVIEWED** MAJOR USES The largest chemical use for toluene is the production of benzene and urethane via hydrodealkylation. [CHEMICAL PRODUCTS SYNOPSIS: Toluene, 1985] **PEER REVIEWED** SKIN, EYE AND RESPIRATORY NO DATA IRRITATIONS PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING SKIN PENETRATION OF TOLUENE MAY BE PREVENTED BY USING GLOVES OR PROTECTIVE SKIN CREAMS. RESP EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE PROVIDED & USED ABOVE THE TLV. [Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982., p. 3290] **PEER REVIEWED** PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING WEAR SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS; WEAR GOGGLES IF EYE PROTECTION NOT PROVIDED. [National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1986. 49-89] **PEER REVIEWED** PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING Eye protection: Glasses having shatter-resistant glass or equivalent lenses and side shields to protect the eyes from toluene splashes. [NIOSH; Criteria Document: Toluene p.8 (1973) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 73-11023] **PEER REVIEWED** PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING If, for the purpose of maintenance or cleaning, a person is required to enter a vessel or similar area which has contained toluene, all suitable precautions for work in confined spaces should be adopted. Respiratory protection of the airline or self-contained type is essential; Reliance should not be placed on a canister respirator for such work. Workers whose hands may be exposed to toluene should wear suitable gloves or barrier creams. A thick layer of barrier cream should be applied. Under certain circumstances the use of a mask may be necessary for this type of work. [International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983., p. 2185] **PEER REVIEWED** PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING Respirator selection: 500 ppm: Chemical cartridge respirator with organic vapor cartridge/supplied-air respirator/self-contained breathing apparatus; 1000 ppm: Chemical cartridge respirator with organic vapor cartridge with full facepiece; 2000 ppm: Gas mask with organic vapor canister/supplied-air respirator with full facepiece, helmet, or hood/self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece; Escape: gas mask with organic vapor canister/self-contained breathing apparatus. [Sittig, M. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985., p. 870] **PEER REVIEWED** PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact. [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-116. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, June 1994., p. 310] **QC REVIEWED** PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact. [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-116. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, June 1994., p. 310] **QC REVIEWED** PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING Recommendations for respirator selection. Max concn for use: 500 ppm. Respirator Class(es): Any chemical cartridge respirator with organic vapor cartridge(s). May require eye protection. Any powered, air-purifying respirator with organic vapor cartridge(s). May require eye protection. Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister. Any supplied-air respirator. May require eye protection. Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece. [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-116. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, June 1994., p. 310] **QC REVIEWED** PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING Recommendations for respirator selection. Condition: Emergency or planned entry into unknown concn or IDLH conditions: Respirator Class(es): Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-116. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, June 1994., p. 310] **QC REVIEWED** PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING Recommendations for respirator selection. Condition: Escape from suddenly occurring respiratory hazards: Respirator Class(es): Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister. Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus. [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-116. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, June 1994., p. 310] **QC REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS ... PAINTERS EXPOSED TO TOLUENE IN CONCN RANGING FROM 100-1100 PPM. ... FINDINGS INCL ENLARGEMENT OF LIVER, MACROCYTOSIS, MODERATE DECR IN ERYTHROCYTE COUNT & ABSOLUTE LYMPHOCYTOSIS, BUT NO LEUKOPENIA. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 5th ed. Cincinnati, OH:, p. 578] American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1986., p. 578] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS ... TOLUENE CAUSES DEFATTING OF SKIN WITH SUBSEQUENT DANGER OF DRYNESS, FISSURING AND SECONDARY INFECTION. [International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Volumes I and II. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1971., p. 1414] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS ... SUDDEN DEATH AMONG "SNIFFERS" MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO LETHAL CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS FOLLOWING SENSITIZATION OF THE MYOCARDIUM. [Hamilton, A., and H. L. Hardy. Industrial Toxicology. 3rd ed. Acton, Mass.: Publishing Sciences Group, Inc., 1974., p. 276] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS ... PERMANENT ENCEPHALOPATHY ... /IN/ MAN WHO INHALED TOLUENE REGULARLY FOR OVER 14 YR /WAS DESCRIBED/. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 5th ed. Cincinnati, OH:, p. 578] American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1986., p. 578] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS VAPORS OF TOLUENE CAUSE NOTICEABLE SENSATION OF IRRITATION TO HUMAN EYES AT 300-400 PPM IN AIR, BUT EVEN AT 800 PPM IRRITATION IS SLIGHT. ... IN HUMAN VOLUNTEERS EXPOSED TO CONCN AS HIGH AS 800 PPM ... DILATION OF PUPILS & IMPAIRMENT OF REACTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH FATIGUE AT END OF 8 HR, ALSO SLIGHT PALLOR OF FUNDI. [Grant, W.M. Toxicology of the Eye. 3rd ed. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 1986., p. 927] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS Metabolic acidosis with a high "anion gap" in 2 patients who had been sniffing toluene. [Reynolds, J.E.F., Prasad, A.B. (eds.) Martindale-The Extra Pharmacopoeia. 28th ed. London: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1982., p. 1455] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS A report of 2 children who sniffed glue containing toluene. One of the children became comatose after an episode of "sniffing" which lasted for several hours. Adverse effects included reduced appetite, nightmares, vertical nystagmus, and incoordination. [Reynolds, J.E.F., Prasad, A.B. (eds.) Martindale-The Extra Pharmacopoeia. 28th ed. London: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1982., p. 1455] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS WORKERS IN PHARMACEUTICAL PLANT IN FRANCE EXPOSED TO TOLUENE DEVELOPED LEUKOPENIA, & NEUTROPENIA. WITHIN THE FOLLOWING 6 MO, THOSE AFFECTED SHOWED INCR IN COAGULATION TIME & DECR IN PROTHROMBIN LEVEL ... [Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982., p. 3286] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES FROM 32 MALE ROTOGRAVURE WORKERS SHOWED NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE FROM CONTROLS IN FREQUENCY OF CHROMOSOME ABERRATIONS & SISTER CHROMATID EXCHANGES. [MAKI-PAAKKANEN J ET AL; J TOXICOL ENVIRON HEALTH 6: 775 (1980)] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS Patients (3) with history of recurrent toluene abuse were hospitalized and severe metabolic acidosis, electrolyte abnormalities, hypoalkemia, and muscular weakness were present. Distal renal tubular acidosis was believed to be present in 2/3 patients. [Fiscman CM, Oster JR; Am Med Assoc 241 (16): 1713-15 (1979) as cited in NRC; Alkyl Benzenes p.284 (1981)] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS Child of a mother with a 14 year history of solvent abuse showed symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome. [Toutant C, Lippman S; Lancet 1 (8130): 1356 (1979)] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS A 27-year-old male developed cerebral and cerebellar atrophy over a period of five years of extensive glue sniffing. He also developed bilateral optic atrophy with blindness and severe sensorineural hearing loss. [Ehyai A, Freemon FR; J Neural Neurosurg Psychiatry 46 (4): 349-51 (1983)] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS Toluene appears to produce reversible effects upon liver, renal, and nervous systems. ... The nervous system appears to be the most sensitive to the effects of toluene. ... High level toluene exposures produced incoordination, ataxia, unconsciousness and eventually, death. Lower level acute exposures in man produce dizziness, exhilaration and confusion. Activity level has been inadequately studied. Schedule controlled behaviors have been reported to produce inverted U-shaped concentration-effect curves on response rate measures. Alterations at levels as low as 150 ppm have been reported when appetitive contingencies are used. Very few studies of the nervous system have been performed at levels below 1000 ppm and most of the results were inconclusive. ... [Benignus VA; Neurobehav Toxicol Teratol 3 (4): 407-15 (1981)] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS Lethal levels 1.0 mg%; 10.0 ug/ml [Winek, C.L. Drug and Chemical Blood-Level Data 1985. Pittsburgh, PA: Allied Fischer Scientific, 1985.] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS IN EXPERIMENTS IN VITRO, TOLUENE DID NOT CHANGE NUMBER OF SISTER-CHROMATID EXCHANGES OR THE NUMBER OF CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS IN HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES. [GERNER-SCMIDT P, FRIEDRICH U; MUTATION RESEARCH 58: 313 (1978)] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS A 28 yr old painter who was believed to be a habitual toluene sniffer was admitted to Chiba Emergency Medical Center on several occasions. Symptoms included: Tremors of the upper extremeties, staggering of gait, slurred speech, slight mental deterioration, pendular nystagmus, bradycardia, mild tremor of the leg, action myoclonus, and head and trunchal titubation. There was no dysmetria. The involuntary movements were classified as hyperkinesie volitionnelle. Muscle tone was hypotonic. Muscle weakness and atrophy were not seen. Deep tendon reflexes were all exaggerated, but there was no pathological reflex. He showed wide-based ataxic gait. Sensory and autonomic functions were normal. Blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid analysis appeared normal. Electroencephalography showed 40-50 uV, 9-10 c/s alpha waves with a few fast waves. Brain CT scan revealed a moderate enlargement of the lateral and third ventricles. Surface electromyography was performed on the proximal musculature of the arm. 3 c/s reciprocal rhythmical grouping discharges were found at the terminal phase of the elbow bending. The tremor was diminished by 20 minutes ischemic compression test of the arm. With respect to therapy, clonazepam was useful for hyperkinesie volitionnelle. He became able to drink a cup of water without spilling it by his own hands, and was discharged from hospital on April 3rd, 1981. It was believed that he was a habitual sniffer to toluene. On June 30th, 1983 he was found comatose. On admission to Chiba Emergency Medical Center, his breath smelt of toluene. His blood toluene level was 7.53 ppm, and urinary hippuric acid concentration was 9,500 mg/l. He died on July 9th, 1983, because of disseminated intravascular coagulation, multiple organ failure and perforation of the terminal ileum. Autopsy was performed and neuropathological findings were as follows. 1) Diffuse demyelination and gliosis of the cerebral and cerebella white matter. 2) Marked loss of Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. 3) Astrocytic proliferation of the dentate fugal system and inferior olivary nucleus of medulla. ... [Arai K et al; Brain Nerve Tokyo 38 (12): 1181-86 (1986)] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS Autopsy findings on a man who fell from a height due to acute toluene poisoning while painting are described. Gas chromatographic examination revealed that the toluene concentrations of his blood, lung, liver and brain were 48, 35, 65 and 80 ug/g, respectively. These toluene levels were not enough to be definitely lethal, but were enough to anesthetize the central nervous system. [Takeichi S et al; Forensic Sci Int 32 (2): 109-16 (1986)] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS The psychological performance of 43 rotogravure printers exposed to a mean time- weighted average of 117 ppm toluene for a mean time period of 21.7 yr was compared to that of 31 offset printers with a mean working period of 23 yr. The offset printers were exposed to mixtures of aliphatic hydrocarbons or ethyl acetate (amounts not given) for a total of 10 to 60 min daily. Drinking habits were considered in grouping the workers. The test battery consisted of standardized tests for verbal and visual cognition and memory, perceptual motor speed, and psychomotor abilities. Performances of the two printer groups were similar with rotogravure printers having statistically significant lower scores on tests measuring visual cognitive abilities. Mean test performances indicated that drinking habits did not explain the impairment of visual cognitive abilities. [Hanninen H et al; Int Arch Occupat Environ Health 59 (5): 475-83 (1987)] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS Acute poisoning may result from exposure to high concn of toluene; A /CNS depressant/ effect is produced. Human death has resulted from exposure to 10,000 ppm. Toluene is more acutely toxic than benzene; However, severe blood disorders of the type associated with benzene are not reported. Inhalation of 200 ppm has affected the CNS in humans. [Cleland, J.G., G.L. Kingsbury. Multimedia Environmental Goals for Environmental Assessment. Volume 1. EPA-600/7-77-136a. Research Triangle Park, NC: EPA, Nov. 1977. E-146] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS Vapors irritate eyes and upper respiratory tract; Cause dizziness, headache, anesthesia, and respiratory arrest. Liquid irritates eyes. If aspirated, causes coughing, gagging, distress, and rapidly developing pulmonary edema. If ingested causes vomiting, griping, diarrhea, and depressed respiration. Kidney and liver damage may follow ingestion. [U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation. CHRIS - Hazardous Chemical Data. Volume II. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1984-5.] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS In recent years some youngsters have been indulging in what is called thinner inhalation, posing a serious social problem. Organic solvents have also been widely used industrially as adhesives or degreasing and rinsing agents, generating a kind of occupational disease which has become a medical problem. Some school children who refuse to go to school complaining of headache, head heaviness, blurred vision, diplopia, or dizziness, may actually have toluene toxicosis caused by the adhesive they use in constructing plastic models. /An examination of/ 35 such patients neurogically, found some impairment in the cerebellar cortex, cerebellar nuclei, or efferent pathways. This report is presented to invite comments from other researchers. [Sakata E et al; Pract Otal Kyoto 79 (12): 1999-2013 (1986)] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS Severe, acute toluene intoxication in two workers was described. Special attention was paid to the metabolism of toluene in man and to the choice of reference parameters to monitor intoxication. The men had tiled a small swimming pool to be used for exercise programs in a rehabilitation clinic. They had used a special glue to make the joints of cement between the tiles resistant to bleaching solution; the next day they removed the excess glue using toluene. One worker was exposed for 2 hours and the other for 3 hours. Both were overcome with the fumes, and were found lying at the bottom of the pool. Symptoms included stupefaction, paresis, and amnesia. Patient-A had mucosal irritation of the eyes and slurred speech. He was stuporose and unable to walk or sit. His amnesia lasted for about 3 hours. Patient-B had mucosal irritation of the eyes, was drowsy, and was just able to walk. He had normal speech and complained of headache. The duration of his amnesia was about 2.5 hours. Solid evidence for toluene exposure was provided by the blood toluene concentration. The concentration 2 hours after exposure was 4.1 mg/l in patient-A and 2.2 mg/l in patient-B. [Meulenbelt J et al; Br J Ind Med 47 (6): 417-20 (1990)] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS The memory sequelae for a group of female workers accidentally exposed to organic solvents were examined retrospectively to evaluate complaints of residual memory impairment. The subjects included seven employees (mean age 32.1 years) who agreed to retesting and who had been severely intoxicated by exposure to toluene and aliphatic hydrocarbons found in adhesives used in the manufacture of tennis balls. They were compared to eight workers (mean age 33.7 years) who were solvent exposed but not affected by the accident and ten workers (mean age 36.6 years) who had no exposure. Acute symptoms included faintness, nausea, vomiting, and headache. Complaints of impaired memory, personality changes, and loss of confidence persisted 8 months after exposure. Memory testing was first performed 2 months after exposure, with the follow up 6 months later to assess recovery. The three memory tasks included paired associate task, serial position task, and Brown-Peterson task. The subjects showed normal patterns of performance on tests of learning and short term and long term memory, but demonstrated marked difficulties when attention had to be divided between two resource competing tasks. The clearest evidence of impairment was observed in the Brown-Peterson task, where the acute group showed a significantly greater increase in word recall omission after periods of counting backwards in threes. The magnitude of the memory sequelae was not correlated with scores of self rated depression. It was concluded that solvent intoxication can cause neuropsychological sequelae lasting more than 8 months; memory tasks could prove useful in identifying memory impairment in other occupationally exposed groups. [Stollery BT, Flindt MLH; Scand J Work, Environ, Health 14 (1): 45-8 (1988)] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS In a cross-sectional study of 181 male workers of a rotogravure printing plant, most of whom were exposed to toluene levels well above the GDR threshold limit values, 55 subjects revealed pathological liver screening values (activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase; liver size). The differential diagnostic examination showed in 51 of these 55 subjects an association with competing factors such as alcohol abuse (78%) and overweight (40%), to a slight extent disorders of fat and carbohydrate metabolism and of the gallbladder. Drug intake did not play any role. The variance and regression analyses of the biochemical data have shown that alcohol significantly and considerably increases the activities of all three enzymes tested. Bodyweight had a similar, but less pronounced, significant effect. On the other hand, in subjects with a higher alcohol intake the activities of liver enzymes in highly toluene exposed subgroups were significantly and clearly lower than among slightly toluene exposed workers. [Boewer C et al; Int Arch Occup Environ Health 60 (3): 181-6 (1988)] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS General health effects include lethality, growth, morbidity, liver and kidney damage and miscellaneous effects. Neurobehavioral effects include epidemiological and clinical findings, activity and sleep, performance and learning, electrophysiological effects. Evaluation and synthesis of data is included. It was concluded that low level exposure to toluene has its primary effect on the CNS. From a systematic or general point of view it is not clear what this effect is. Both depressant and excitatory effects (possibly concentration dependent) were reported as well as other kinds of results. Other health effects were not life threatening at any exposure level short of that producing lethality. Effects were reversible even at extremely high exposure levels for very long durations. [Benignus VA; Neurotoxicol 2 (3): 567-88 (1981)] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS Toluene embryopathy is characterized by microcephaly, central nervous system dysfunction, attentional deficits and hyperactivity, developmental delay with greater language deficits, minor craniofacial and limb anomalies, and variable growth deficiency. Previously, three affected children, born to women who inhaled toluene regularly throughout pregnancy, have been reported. Two more cases are described emphasizing the importance of toluene as a potential human teratogen. [Hersh JH; J Med Genet 26 (5): 333-7 (1989)] **PEER REVIEWED** HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS Neurobehavioral tests were undertaken by 30 female workers exposed to toluene and matched controls with low occupational exposure to toluene. The environmental air levels (TWA) of toluene was 88 ppm for the exposed workers and 13 ppm for the controls. The toluene in blood concentrations for the exposed workers was 1.25 mg/l and for the controls 0.16 mg/l. Statistically significant differences between workers exposed to toluene and controls in neurobehavioral tests measuring manual dexterity (grooved peg board), a visual scanning (trail making, visual reproduction, Benton visual retention, and digit symbol), and verbal memory (digit span) were observed. Further, the performance at each of these tests was related to time weighted average exposure concentrations of air toluene. The workers exposed to toluene had no clinical symptoms or signs. The question arises as to whether these impairments in neurobehavioral tests are reversible or whether they could be a forerunner of more severe damage. [Foo SC et al; BR J Ind Med 47 (7): 480-4 (1990)] **PEER REVIEWED** OSHA STANDARDS During an 8 hr work shift, an employee may be exposed to a concentration of toluene above 300 ppm (but never above 500 ppm) only for a maximum period of 5 min in any 2 hr. Such exposure must be compensated by exposures to concentrations less than 200 ppm so that the cumulative exposure for the entire 8 hr work shift does not exceed a weighted average of 200 ppm. /Transitional limits/ must continue to be achieved by any combination of engineering controls, work practices, personal protective equipment during the phase-in period, Sept 1, 1989 through Dec 30, 1992. Final rule limits become effective Dec 31, 1992. [29 CFR 1910.1000 (7/1/91)] **PEER REVIEWED** OSHA STANDARDS 8 hr Time-Weighted avg: 100 ppm (375 mg/cu m). /Final rule limits/ shall be achieved by any combination of engineering controls, work practices and personal protective equipment during the phase-in period, Sept 1, 1989 through Dec 30, 1992. Final rule limits become effective Dec 31, 1992. [29 CFR 1910.1000 (7/1/91)] **PEER REVIEWED** OSHA STANDARDS 15 min Short-Term Exposure Limit: 150 ppm (560 mg/cu m). /Final rule limits/ shall be achieved by any combination of engineering controls work practices and personal protective equipment during the phase-in period, Sept 1, 1989 through Dec 30, 1992. Final rule limits become effective Dec 31, 1992. [29 CFR 1910.1000 (7/1/91)] **PEER REVIEWED** NIOSH RECOMMENDATIONS 10 hr Time-Weighted avg: 100 ppm (375 mg/cu m). [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-116. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, June 1994., p. 310] **QC REVIEWED** NIOSH RECOMMENDATIONS 15 min Short-Term Exposure Limit: 150 ppm (560 mg/cu m). [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-116. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, June 1994., p. 310] **QC REVIEWED** THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUES 8 hr Time Weighted Avg (TWA) 50 ppm, 188 mg/cu m, skin (1992) [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological, p. 34] Exposure Indices (BEIs) for 1995-1996. Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1995., p. 34] **QC REVIEWED** THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUES Biological Exposure Index (BEI) adoption (1986-87): Hippuric acid in urine at end of shift is 2.5 g/g creatinine. The determinant is usually present in a significant amt in biological specimens collected from subjects who have not been occupationally exposed. Such background levels are incl in the BEI value. The determinant is nonspecific, since it is observed after exposure to some other chemicals. These nonspecific tests are preferred because they are easy to use and usually offer a better correlation with exposure than specific tests. In such instances, a BEI for a specific, less quantitative biological determinant is recommended as a confirmatory test. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological, p. 66] Exposure Indices (BEIs) for 1995-1996. Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1995., p. 66] **QC REVIEWED** THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUES Biological Exposure Index (BEI) adoption (1986-87): Toluene in venous blood at end of shift is 1 mg/l. The biological determinant is an indicator of exposure to the chemical, but the quantitative interpretation of the measurements is ambiguous. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological, p. 66] Exposure Indices (BEIs) for 1995-1996. Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1995., p. 66] **QC REVIEWED** THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUES Excursion Limit Recommendation: Excursions in worker exposure levels may exceed three times the TLV-TWA for no more than a total of 30 min during a work day, and under no circumstances should they exceed five times the TLV-TWA, provided that the TLV-TWA is not exceeded. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological, p. 5] Exposure Indices (BEIs) for 1995-1996. Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1995., p. 5] **QC REVIEWED** OTHER OCCUPATIONAL PERMISSIBLE LEVELS USSR (1967): 14 ppm; Czechoslovakia (1969): 50 ppm; West Germany (1974): 200 ppm; Sweden (1975): 100 ppm; East Germany (1973) 50 ppm. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 5th ed. Cincinnati, OH:, p. 8] American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1986., p. 8] **PEER REVIEWED**