Toluene is a flammable hydrocarbon which is used as paint, lacquer thinner or dyeing agent. It is also found in fuels. Workers from printing operations, construction sites and nail salons are frequent users of Toluene products. You can be exposed to toluene by breathing it in, getting it on your skin, getting it splashed into your eyes, or swallowing it.
Symptoms of toluene exposure include: irritation of the eyes and nose; weakness, exhaustion, confusion, euphoria, dizziness, headache; dilated pupils, lacrimation (discharge of tears); anxiety, muscle fatigue, insomnia; numbness or tingling of the skin; dermatitis. Toluene exposure may cause liver and kidney damage.
Toluene affects the central nervous system, eyes, skin, respiratory system, liver, kidneys. Breathing high levels of toluene during pregnancy has been shown to result in children with birth defects and to retard mental abilities and growth. There is evidence that exposure to toluene at work is associated with spontaneous abortion.
High concentrations of toluene, usually from use in a confined space or unventilated area, can cause loss of consciousness, respiratory depression and death. Long term and repeated workplace exposure to toluene affect the central nervous system.
Employers are required to train all workers who use materials containing toluene about the health and safety hazards of toluene, how to recognize exposure to toluene, and the protective measures that apply to the use of toluene in the specific work area.
Toluene is used frequently in many work operations involving paint, metal cleaners, adhesives and other products The safety data sheets provided by the supplier must disclose the presence of toluene, and employers must provide workers with copies of these safety data sheets upon request. Employers must provide workers training and information about a product's potential hazards and how to use it safely.
Many people can smell toluene at levels below established limits. But, if you can smell it, then it is getting into the air.Your employer should collect air samples to determine if you are being exposed to toluene at or above the Federal OSHA permissible exposure limits (PEL).
The concentration of toluene vapors in the work area may be measured by a gas badge (passive diffusion sampler), a solvent vapor tube attached to an air sampling pump, or a direct reading indicator tube. Employers must provide the results of these measurements to workers, their representatives or their health care providers in writing if asked. Employers must inform workers each year of the procedure for obtaining these results.
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