. "Appendix B: Laboratory Chemical Safety Summaries." Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 1995.
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Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals
LABORATORY CHEMICAL SAFETY SUMMARY: TOLUENE
Substance
Toluene
(Methylbenzene, toluol, phenylmethane)
CAS 108-88-3
Formula
C6H5CH3
Physical Properties
Colorless liquid
bp 111 °C, mp -95 °C
Poorly soluble in water (0.05 g/100 mL)
Odor
Aromatic, benzene-like odor detectable at 0.16 to 37 ppm (mean = 1.6 ppm)
Vapor Density
3.14 (air = 1.0)
Vapor Pressure
22 mmHg at 20 °C
Flash Point
4 °C
Autoignition Temperature
480 °C
Toxicity Data
LD50 oral (rat)
2650 to 7530 mg/kg
LD50 skin (rabbit)
12,124 mg/kg
LC50 inhal (rat)
26,700 ppm (1 h)
PEL (OSHA)
200 ppm (750 mg/m3)
STEL (OSHA)
150 ppm (560 mg/m3)
TLV-TWA (ACGIH)
50 ppm (188 mg/m3)—skin
Major Hazards
Highly flammable liquid and vapor.
Toxicity
The acute toxicity of toluene is low. Toluene may cause eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. Short-term exposure to high concentrations of toluene (e.g., 600 ppm) may produce fatigue, dizziness, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, and stupor; 10,000 ppm may cause death from respiratory failure. Ingestion of toluene may cause nausea and vomiting and central nervous system depression. Contact of liquid toluene with the eyes causes temporary irritation. Toluene is a skin irritant and may cause redness and pain when trapped beneath clothing or shoes; prolonged or repeated contact with toluene may result in dry and cracked skin. Because of its odor and irritant effects, toluene is regarded as having good warning properties.
The chronic effects of exposure to toluene are much less severe than those of benzene. No carcinogenic effects were reported in animal studies. Equivocal results were obtained in studies to determine developmental effects in animals. Toluene was not observed to be mutagenic in standard studies.
