Dinted Stale* EPA 749 F 94 O21 Environmental Prelection DecemDei 1994 Agency Office ol Pollution Pievenlon and Toaic* (7401) oERA Chemicals in the Environment TOLUENE (CAS NO. 108 88 3) ------- Chemicals can be released lo the envi- ronment as a rcsull of their manufacture. processing, and use The EPA has devel- oped information summaries on selected chemicals lo describe how you might be exposed (o these chemicals, how exposure lo I hem might affect you and the envi- ronment, what happens to them in the cn- \ironinent. who regulates them, and whom lo contact for additional information. EPA is committed to reducing environmental releases of chemicals through source re- duction and other practices thai reduce creation of pollutants WHAT IS TOLUENE, HOW IS IT USED, AND HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED? Toluene (also called methyl bcn- /cnc) is a colorless, flammable liquid. It occurs naturally in petroleum crude oil Petroleum crude oil is by far the largest source of toluene Most (up to a billion pounds each year) of this toluene is never isolated from crude oil Refineries pump this "unrccovered" toluene lo some other location where it is added directly lo gaso- line The toluene thai is isolated is "re- covered" in large amounts (approximately 80(1 million gallons in 1991) by twenty companies in the United States. US de- mand for toluene is expected to grow moderately over the next several years The largest users of "recovered" toluene are companies thai make ben/ene Companies also add toluene to aerosol spray paints, wall paints, lacquers, paml strippers ad- hcsivcs. printing ink. spot removers, cos- metics, perfumes, and antifreeze Exposure lo toluene can occur in ------- ihc workplace or in the environment following releases lo air. walcr. land, or groundwalcr Exposure can aJso occur when people use gasoline and other products thai contain tolu- ene Toluene enters the body when breathed in with contaminated air or when consumed with contaminated Pood or water It can also be absorbed through skin contact Toluene docs not remain in the body due to its breakdown and removal WHAT HAPPENS TO TOLUENE IN THE ENVIRONMENT? Toluene evaporates when exposed to air. It dissolves only slightly when mixed with water Most direct releases of toluene to the environment are to air Toluene also evaporates from water and soil exposed lo air Once in air, toluene breaks down to other chemicals Mi- croorganisms that live in walcr and in soil can also break down toluene. Because it is a liquid that docs not bind well to soil, toluene that makes its way into the ground can move through the ground and enter groundwalcr Plants and animals arc not likely to store toluene HOW DOES TOLUENE AFFECT HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT? H fleets of toluene on human health and the environment depend on how much toluene is present and Ihc length and frequency of exposure Effects also depend on the health of a person or the condition of the environment when exposure occurs. Breathing large amounts of toluene for short periods of time adversely affects the human nervous system, the kidncvs. the liver. ------- and the heart EflTccts range from un- steadiness and tingling in fingers and toes to unconsciousness and death Direct, prolonged contact with toluene liquid or vapor irritates the skin and the eyes These effects are not likely to occur at levels of toluene that arc normally found in the environment Human health effects associ- ated with breathing or otherwise con- suming smaller amounts of toluene over long periods of time arc not known. Repeatedly breathing large amounts of toluene, such as when "sniffing" glue or paint, can cause permanent brain dam- age. As a result, humans can develop problems with speech, hearing, and vision Humans can also experience loss of muscle control, loss of memory. and decreased mental ability Exposure to toluene can also adversely affect the kidneys Laboratory animal studies and, in some cases, human exposure studies show that repeat exposure to large amounts of toluene during pregnancy can adversely affect the developing fe- tus Other studies show that repeal exposure to large amounts of toluene adversely affects the nervous system. the kidneys, and the liver of animals Toluene by itself is not likely to cause environmental harm at levels normally found in the environment. Toluene can contribute to the formation of photochemical smog when it reacts with other volatile organic carbon substances in air ------- WHAT EPA PROGRAM omen REGULATE TOLUENE, AND UNDER WHAT LAWS is rr REGULATED EPAOmci Pollution Prevention & Toxics Air Solid Waste & Emergency Reaponte Water LAW Toxic Substance* Control Act Emergency Flaming and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). Regulations (§313) Tone* Release Inventory data Clean Air Act Comprehensive Environment*! Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act / EPCRA (f 304/3 11312) Clean Water Act Safe Drinking Water Act (Drinking Water Standard: l.Omg/L) A technical support document u available from the TSCA AMtfUoce Information Service. (202) 554-1404. WHAT OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES OR GROUPS CAN I CONTACT FOR INFORMATION ON TOLUENE? AGENCY/GROUP Agency for Toxic Substances and Dueue Registry American Conference of Government*] Indujthal Hygienifti Consumer Product Safety Commnuon Food and Drug Administration National Institute for Environment*! He*tth Sciences (EnviroHealth Clearinghouse) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Occupational Safety and Health Administration PHONE NUMBER (202) 554-1404 (800)535-0202 (202)260-1531 (919) 541-0888 (800)535-0202 (202)260-7588 (800)426-4791 PHONE NUMBER (404) 639-6000 (513)742-2020 (301)504-0994 (301)443-3170 (800)643-4794 (800) 356-4674 (Check your local phone book under US Department of Labor) ------- |