Toluene Health Hazard Information

[poshen]

Notice: Poshe' Products Do Not Contain Toluene

Target Organs: Respiratory system, skin.

Primary Routes of Entry: Inhalation, ingestion, dermal or eye contact.

This product is included in the current TSCA inventory.

WARNING: Products that contain benzene and toluene, are chemicals known to the State of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm.

Effects and Hazards of Eye Contact
May cause severe irritation, redness, tearing, blurred vision and conjunctivitis.

Effects and Hazards of Skin Contact
Prolonged or repeated contact may cause moderate irritation, defatting (cracking), redness, itching, inflammation, dermatitis and possible secondary infection. High pressure skin injections are SERIOUS MEDICAL EMERGENCIES. Injury may not appear serious at first. Within a few hours, tissues will become swollen, discolored and extremely painful. See Notes to Physician section.

Effects and Hazards of Inhalation
Nasal and respiratory tract irritation, central nervous system effects including excitation, euphoria, contracted eye pupils, dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, fatigue, nausea, headache, loss of reflexes, tremors, convulsions, seizures, loss of consciousness, coma, respiratory arrest and sudden death could occur as a result of long term and/or high concentration exposure to vapors. May also cause anemia and irregular heart rhythm. Repeated or prolonged exposure may cause behavioral changes.

*Toxicological Information
TOLUENE can affect the body if it is inhaled, comes in contact with the eyes or skin or it is swallowed. It may also enter the body through the skin. Toluene vapors cause narcosis.

Controlled exposures of human subjects to 200 ppm for 8 hours produced mild fatigue, weakness, confusion, lacrimation and paresthesia. At 600 ppm for 8 hours, there was euphoria-headache, dizziness, dilated pupils and nausea. At 800 ppm for 8 hours, symptoms were more pronounced, and after effects included nervousness, muscular fatigue and insomnia persisting for several days. In workers exposed for many years to concentrations in the range of 80 to 300 ppm, there was no clinical or laboratory evidence of altered liver function. Toluene exposure does not result in the same chronic injury to bone marrow caused by benzene. Liquid splashed in the eyes of workers has caused transient corneal damage and conjunctival irritation, complete recovery occurred within 48 hours. Animal studies have shown that inhalation of high levels of toluene produced cardiac sensitization. Such sensitization may cause fatal changes in hearty rhythms. This later effect was shown to be enhanced by hypoxia or the injection of adrenalin-like agents. Workers exposed at less than 200 ppm have complained of headache, lassitude and nausea, but physical findings were essentially negative. At concentrations between 200 and 500 ppm, impairment of coordination, momentary loss of memory and anorexia were present. Between 500 and 1500 ppm, palpitation, extreme weakness, pronounces loss of coordination and impairment of reaction time were noted. The red cell count fell in many instances and there were cases of aplastic anemia in which recovery followed intensive hospital treatment (although some of the effects many have been due to benzene impurity). Toluene has been reported to decrease immunological responses and cause recordable hearing loss in test animals. Damages genetic material in mammalian test systems. May cause adverse reproductive effects based on animal testing.

Respiratory Protection
If workplace exposure limits for product or components are exceeded, NIOSH equipment should be worn. Proper respirator selection should be determined by adequately trained personnel, based on the contaminants, the degree of potential exposure and published respiratory protection factors. This equipment should be available for nonroutine and emergency use.

Ventilation
Avoid breathing mists and vapor. Use in well ventilated area. In confined space, mechanical ventilation may be necessary to reduce vapor concentrations to levels below the allowable exposure limits.

Labeling Information
May cause irritation to eyes, skin and respiratory system. Avoid liquid, mist and vapor contact. Harmful or fatal if swallowed. Aspiration hazard, can enter lungs and cause damage. May cause irritation or be harmful if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Avoid liquid, mist and vapor contact. Flammable Liquid. Vapors may explode.

Disclaimer: These excerpts of information were compiled from MSDS as of January 31,1995. Not guaranteed by Phibro Energy USA. Prepared by Ron Luvier, Health Safety and Environmental. Phibro Energy assumes no responsibility or liability for any claims.