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)
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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
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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.
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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
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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)
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