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Description

Xylene is a solvent and volatile organic compound (VOC). It is used in consumer products such as paints, paint thinners, shellacs, lacquers, permanent ink markers, carpet adhesives, and rust preventives. It is also found in cigarette smoke, gasoline and car exhaust. These are the most likely sources of exposure to toluene for children.

Xylene occurs naturally in petroleum and coal tar and is produced during the refining of petroleum. It is used to manufacture plastics, polyester, and other chemicals. The most significant source of xylene exposure to the general population occurs primarily from fuel emissions and exhausts linked with its use in gasoline.

Health Effects

Immediate Health Effects

If SWALLOWED, xylenes is Not Available
If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, xylenes is Not Available
If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), xylenes is Not Available

Longterm or Delayed Health Effects

This chemical is considered an Unclassifiable Carcinogen by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or another agency.
Neurotoxin = Can harm brain and central nervous system
Development Toxicant = Can interfere with normal development of a fetus or child

Other

If inhaled, may depress the central nervous system, causing headache, dizziness, fatigue, tremors, incoordination, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating. At high levels, can cause unconsciousness and death.
Eye, nose, throat, and respiratory irritation, causing coughing and difficulty breathing. Dry, cracked skin and skin rash/dermatitis.
May cause birth defects, including nervous system defects. In test animals, xylene exposure at high levels during pregnancy has reduced fetal weight, delayed development, and caused cleft palate. Potential increase in risk for miscarriage.
Gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting and stomach irritation.

How Exposures Occur

Automobile Exhaust and Gasoline

Xylenes can be emitted in car, truck, and airplane exhaust, as well as gasoline fumes. Children may be exposed to xylene fumes if they live near busy highways and streets, or spend a lot of time near or in gas stations.

Secondhand Cigarette Smoke

Children can inhale small amounts of xylenes from secondhand cigarette smoke.

Consumer Products

Children can inhale xylenes released by some paints, paint removers, varnishes, shellacs, carpet adhesives, solvent-based permanent ink markers, and rust preventives when they are used inside the house, especially without adequate ventilation.

Drinking Water

Xylenes may contaminate drinking water. However, it is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, which requires regular testing for xylenes in public water supplies.

Significant Statistics

Xylene is one of the top 30 chemicals produced in the U.S. in terms of volume.

ToxFAQs for Xylene, CAS# 1330-20-7. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Control, September 1996.http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts71.html

Solutions

How to detect xylenes

Read labels before purchasing or using for cleansers, paints and paint removers, aerosol sprays, adhesives, and other household products that may contain solvents.

Or request a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from the product’s manufacturer (which must be provided), or look for it online at Vermont Safety Information Resources Inc.
Sharp-smelling permanent markers sometimes contain xylene.
Xylenes are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires that community water systems monitor xylene levels, and make public when levels exceed the set Maximum Contamination Level (MCL). The MCL for xylenes has also been set at 10 part per million of water.

Community water systems are required to produce annual consumer confidence reports and mail them to every water customer.

If your water source is a well, your water is not monitored for contaminants as is required for public water supplies by the Safe Drinking Water Act. Private testing of the water is necessary.

Even if your water comes from a community water system, contaminant levels can vary from house to house. You can have your water tested by sending samples to a certified laboratory.

You can search for water quality reports from your water provider, obtain information on well water testing and find a list of state-certified drinking water laboratories at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water’s website or call the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 800-426-4791.

How to minimize exposure to xylenes

Use products containing solvents outdoors or with plenty of ventilation by opening windows and using fans, especially exhaust fans. Keep skin and eyes protected from contact by using gloves and protective eyewear when necessary. Limit use of these products around children.

If you are pregnant, avoid using products containing xylene.
Reduce your children’s exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke.

Alternatives

Choose least toxic and low-or no-VOC cleaning products, paints, sealants, paint thinners, adhesives, etc.
Service stations with plastic vapor-recovery boot nozzles on their gas pumps release less xylene into the air during filling.
Water-based ink markers do not contain xylenes.