Toluene, toxicity

The exact mechanism of action of most volatile substances remains unknown. Altered function of ionotropic receptors and ion channels throughout the central nervous system has been demonstrated for a few. Nitrous oxide, for example, binds to NMDA receptors and fuel additives enhance GABAa receptor function. Most inhalants produce euphoria increased excitability of the VTA has been documented for toluene and may underlie its addiction risk. Other substances, such as amyl nitrite ("poppers"), primarily produce smooth muscle relaxation and enhance erection, but are not addictive. With chronic exposure to the aromatic hydrocarbons (eg, benzene, toluene), toxic effects can be observed in many organs, including white matter lesions in the central nervous system. Management of overdose remains supportive. 

Toluene toxicity is most prominent in the central nervous system after acute and chronic exposure. Reproductive toxicity has been observed in exposed humans and rats. 

Metabolism A 47-year-old woman developed a severe metabolic acidosis with a raised anion gap [100" ]. She had a chronic distal renal tubular acidosis, which was attributed to chronic toluene toxicity secondary to paint thinner and spray paint inhalation. 

Dickson RP, Luks AM. Toluene toxicity as a cause of elevated anion gap metabolic acidosis. Respir Care 2009 54(8) 1115-7. 

Naphthol is mainly used in the manufacture of the insecticide carbaryl (59), l-naphthyl A/-methyicarbamate/ iJ-2j5 - (Sevin) (22), which is produced by the reaction of 1-naphthol with methyl isocyanate. Methyl isocyanate is usually prepared by treating methylamine with phosgene. Methyl isocyanate is a very toxic Hquid, boiling at 38°C, and should not be stored for long periods of time (Bhopal accident, India). India has developed a process for the preparation of aryl esters of A/-alkyl carbamic acids. Thus l-naphthyl methylcarbamate is prepared by refluxing 1-naphthol with ethyl methylcarbamate and POCl in toluene (60). In 1992, carbaryl production totaled > 11.4 x 10 t(35). Rhc ne-Poulenc, at its Institute, W. Va., facihty is the only carbaryl producer in United States. 

The solubiHty of phosphoms in water is about 3 ppm. However, process water used in phosphoms manufacture or handling often catties larger amounts of phosphoms as particulates or small droplets, depending on the water temperature. Phosphoms-contaminated water is commonly called phossy water. Phosphoms has low solubiHty in most common solvents, but is quite soluble in carbon disulfide and some other special solvents. The solubiHty in CS2 and benzene was formerly used in phosphoms analyses, but toxicity and increasing waste disposal costs have led to mote use of toluene and xylene, and mote tecentiy to the use of nonchemical turbidity measurements. 

Health and Safety Factors. Animal-feeding studies of DMPPO itself have shown it to be nontoxic on ingestion. The solvents, catalyst, and monomers that are used to prepare the polymers, however, should be handled with caution. Eor example, for the preparation of DMPPO, the amines used as part of the catalyst are flammable toxic on ingestion, absorption, and inhalation and are also severe skin and respiratory irritants (see Amines). Toluene, a solvent for DMPPO, is not a highly toxic material in inhalation testing the TLV (71) is set at 375 mg/m, and the lowest toxic concentration is reported to be 100—200 ppm (72). Toxicity of 2,6-dimethylphenol is typical of alkylphenols (qv), eg, for mice, the acute dermal toxicity is LD q, 4000 mg/kg, whereas the acute oral toxicity is LD q, 980 mg/kg (73). The Noryl blends of DMPPO and polystyrene have PDA approval for reuse food apphcations. 

The PMBs, as higher homologues of toluene and xylenes, ate handled in a similar manner, even though their flash points are higher (see Table 1). Containers are tightly closed and use areas should be ventilated. Breathing vapors and contact with the skin should be avoided. Toxicity and primary... 

The environmental concerns associated with the use of toluene, a toxic and flammable aromatic hydrocarbon, as a gravure ink solvent must be addressed. Whereas ink manufacturers are working on the development of water-based inks, the slow drying times and poor printing quaUties of the prototype products have impeded commercia1i2ation. Furthermore, the high cost of these materials is seen as a barrier to their introduction. 

Polymer Solvent. Sulfolane is a solvent for a variety of polymers, including polyacrylonitrile (PAN), poly(vinyhdene cyanide), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), poly(vinyl fluoride), and polysulfones (124—129). Sulfolane solutions of PAN, poly(vinyhdene cyanide), and PVC have been patented for fiber-spinning processes, in which the relatively low solution viscosity, good thermal stabiUty, and comparatively low solvent toxicity of sulfolane are advantageous. Powdered perfluorocarbon copolymers bearing sulfo or carboxy groups have been prepared by precipitation from sulfolane solution with toluene at temperatures below 300°C. Particle sizes of 0.5—100 p.m result. 

Insecticide methomyl is a very toxic pesticide and is highly soluble in water (57.9 g/1). It has a low sorption affinity to soil and can cause groundwater and surface water contamination in agricultural areas. Solubilities of methomyl in different solvents are in methanol 1000 g/1, in aceton 730 g/1, in ethanol 420 g/1, in isopropanol 220 g/1, in toluene 30 g/1. 

Benzyioxycarbonyi chioride (Cbz-Ci, benzyi cbioroformate) [501-53-1] M 170.6, b 103 /20mm, d 1.195, n 1.5190. Commercial material is better than 95% pure and may contain some toluene, benzyl alcohol, benzyl chloride and HCl. After long storage (e.g. two years at 4 , Greenstein and Winitz [The Chemistry of the Amino Acids Voi 2 p. 890, J Wiley and Sons NY, 1961] recommended that the liquid should be flushed with a stream of dry air, filtered and stored over sodium sulfate to remove CO2 and HCl which are formed by decomposition. It may further be distilled from an oil bath at a temperature below 85 because Thiel and Dent [Annalen 301 257 1898] stated that benzyioxycarbonyi chloride decarboxylates to benzyl chloride slowly at 100 and vigorously at 155 . Redistillation at higher vac below 85 yields material which shows no other peaks than those of benzyioxycarbonyi chloride by NMR spectroscopy. LACHRYMATORY and TOXIC. 

Carbazole-9-carbonyl chloride [73500-82-0J M 300.0, m 100-103 , 103.5-104.5 . Recrystd from C6H6. If it is not very pure (presence of OH or NH bands in the IR) dissolve in pyridine, shake with phosgene in toluene, evaporate and recrystallise the residue. Carry out this experiment in a good fume cupboard as COCI2 is very TOXIC, and store the product in the dark. It is moisture sensitive. The amide has m 246.5-247 , and the dimethylaminoethylamide hydrochloride has m 197-198 . [Weston et al. J Am Chem Soc IS 4006 1953.]... 

Solvents acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), toluene, xylene, glycol, ethers, alcohol defats and dries skin some may be absorbed may carry other components through skin high volatility, exposure possible irritation central nervous system depression (e.g. dizziness, loss of coordination) low to high toxicity, longterm effects... 

NOTE - Petrochemical plants also generate significant amounts of solid wastes and sludges, some of which may be considered hazardous because of the presence of toxic organics and heavy metals. Spent caustic and other hazardous wastes may be generated in significant quantities examples are distillation residues associated with units handling acetaldehyde, acetonitrile, benzyl chloride, carbon tetrachloride, cumene, phthallic anhydride, nitrobenzene, methyl ethyl pyridine, toluene diisocyanate, trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, perchloro-ethylene, aniline, chlorobenzenes, dimethyl hydrazine, ethylene dibromide, toluenediamine, epichlorohydrin, ethyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, and vinyl chloride. 

Of the top ten most frequently reported toxic chemicals on the TRI list, the prevalence of volatile chemicals explains the air intensive toxic chemical loading of the refining industry. Nine of the ten most commonly reported toxic chemicals are highly volatile. Seven of the ten are aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, xylene, cyclohexane, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, and ethylbenzene). 

Your company receives toluene, a listed toxic chemical, from another facility, reacts the toluene with air to form benzoic acid, and further reacts the benzoic acid with a cadmium catalyst to form terephthallc acid. Cadmium compounds and terephthallc acid are also listed toxic chemicals. Your company processes toluene, and otherwise uses (not processes) the cadmium catalyst (see the definition of "otherwise use" below). Your company manufactures benzoic acid and terephthallc acid. Benzoic acid, however, is not a listed chemical and thus does not trigger reporting requirements. 

Yourfacility receives toluene and naphthalene (both listed toxic chemicals) from an off-site location. You react the toluene with air to form benzoic acid and react the naphthalene with sulfuric acid, which forms phthalic acid and also produces sulfur dioxide fumes. Your facility processes toluene and naphthalene. Both are used as reactants to produce benzoic acid and phthalic acid, chemicals not on the section 313 list. 

Specific percentage by weight of a toxic chemical In the mixture or trade name product to be a trade secret, your notice to customers must contain a statement that the chemical Is present at a concentration that does not exceed a specified upper bound. For example, if a mixture contains 12 percent toluene and you consider the percentage a trade secret, the notification may state that the mixture contains toluene at no more than 15 percent by weight. The upper bound value chosen must be no larger than necessary to adequately protect the trade secret. 

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