Synonyms: Toluol; Phenyl methane; Methylbenzene

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 2460

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 108-88-3

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: XS5250000

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook [4 MB PDF, 392 pages]: 1294 130

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Toluene: Physical description, chemical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Hazard Summary - Toluene: Uses, sources and potential exposure, acute and chronic health hazard information, and more

National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 3 (not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans)

EPA carcinogenic classification: Inadequate information to assess carcinogenic potential

EPA Inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC): 5 mg/m³

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Inhalation Minimal Risk Level (MRL): 1 ppm (acute); 0.08 ppm (chronic)

NIOSH Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) concentration: 500 ppm

Notes on Other Potential Health Effects and Hazards

1. Vapor/air mixtures are explosive (NIOSH/IPCS 2002).
2. Cardiac effects were shown in a case study involving acute occupational exposure to toluene (Türkoğlu et al. 2010).
3. Genotoxic effects were shown in an occupational study involving chronic exposure to toluene (Manikantan et al. 2010).
4. Fatal concentration is estimated to be 1,800 to 2,000 ppm over one hour (Hobara et al. 2000).
5. A number of case reports showed developmental effects in infants born to women who were pregnant when exposed to toluene (Donald et al. 1991).
6. An epidemiologic study found renal-urinary and gastrointestinal defects in infants born to women who were occupationally exposed to toluene during pregnancy (McDonald et al. 1987).
7. One study found that workers exposed to toluene experienced color vision impairment (Zavalic et al. 1998).

Date Last Revised: 9/6/2012

Literature Basis

• ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Toluene. 2007.
• California Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board: Initial [79 KB PDF, 14 pages] and Final [51 KB PDF, 7 pages] Statement of Reasons. March 17, 2012.
• Donald, J. M., K. Hooper, et al. Reproductive and developmental toxicity of toluene: a review. Environ Health Perspect 94: 237-244, 1991.
• Hobara, T., Okuda, M., Gotoh, M. Oki, K., Segawa, H. and Kunitsugo, I: Estimation of the lethal toluene concentration from the accidental death of painting workers. Ind. Health 38(2): 228-231, 2000.
• Manikantan, P., Balachanadar, V., Sasikala, K., Mohanadevi, S., Arun, M., Kumar, A.K., Khan Mustaq Ahamed, S.A., Krishnan, B.B., and Kumar, S.S. Cytogenetic methods for assessing human exposure to toluene in Coimbatore, South India. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 11(6):1687-93, 2010.
• McDonald, J.C., Lavoie J., Côté R., and McDonald A.D.: Chemical exposures at work in early pregnancy and congenital defect: a case-referent study. Br J Ind Med. 44(8): 527-533, August 1987.
• NIOSH: Occupational Health Guideline for Toluene. 1978.
• NIOSH/IPCS: International Chemical Safety Cards - Toluene. October 10, 2002.
• Türkoğlu, C., Aliyev, F., Celiker, C., Uzunhasan, I., and Kocaş, C.: Slow heart-slow brain - consequence of short-term occupational exposure to toluene in a young woman: what is the real mechanism? Clin Cardiol. 33(2):E68-71, 2010.
• Zavalic M, Mandic Z, Turk R et al.: Quantitative assessment of color vision impairment in workers exposed to toluene. Am J Ind Med 33(3):297-304, 1998.

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

• sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
  analytical solvent: Dimethylformamide/Carbon Disulfide (60:40)
  alternative solvent: Carbon Disulfide/Dimethylformamide (99:1)
  maximum volume: 12 Liters
  maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (TWA)
  minimum time: >10 minutes
  maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (Ceiling)
  minimum time: 1 minute
  maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (Peak)
  current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
  method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 111)
  method classification: Fully Validated
  
  
• sampling media: Anasorb 747 (140/70 mg sections)
  analytical solvent: Dimethylformamide/Carbon Disulfide (60:40)
  maximum volume: 12 Liters   
  maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (TWA)
  minimum time: >10 minutes   
  maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (Ceiling)
  minimum time: 1 minute   
  maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (Peak)
  current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
  method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 111)
  method classification: Fully Validated
  
  
• sampling media: Diffusive Sampler (SKC 575-002 Passive Sampler)
  analytical solvent: Dimethylformamide/Carbon Disulfide (60:40)
  minimum time: < or = 240 minutes (TWA)
  minimum time: > 10 minutes (Ceiling)
  current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
  method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 111)
  method classification: Fully Validated
  
  
• sampling media: Diffusive Sampler (3M 3520 Organic Vapor Monitor)
  analytical solvent: Dimethylformamide/Carbon Disulfide (60:40)
  minimum time: < or = 240 minutes (TWA)
  minimum time: > 10 minutes (Ceiling)
  current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
  method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 111)
  method classification: Fully Validated

On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:

• device: Detector Tube
  manufacturer: Gastec
  model/type: 122
  sampling information: 0.5 to 2 strokes
  upper measurement limit: 690 ppm
  detection limit: 1 ppm
  overall uncertainty: 16% for 10 to 100 ppm, 8% for 200 to 300 ppm
  method reference: on-site air secondary (SEI Certified)
  
  
• device: Detector Tube
  manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
  model/type: 8014-124SA
  sampling information: 1 stroke
  upper measurement limit: 500 ppm
  detection limit: approximately 5 ppm
  overall uncertainty: unknown
  method reference: on-site air secondary (SEI Certified)

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