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What Type of Agent Is Xylene?

Xylene, also called dimethylbenzene, methyl toluene, xylol, and mixed xylenes, is a substance that has several industrial uses. It is a Class III hazardous material that is potentially very dangerous to humans and animals.

  1. Description

    • Xylene [(C6H4)(CH3)2] consists of three isomers, ortho-, meta-, and para-xylene. It is a colorless, sweet-smelling, volatile liquid that occurs naturally in petroleum and coal tar. At room temperatures, xylene produces sufficient fumes to be toxic and highly flammable.

    Uses

    • Xylene is used in the printing, rubber, and leather industries as a solvent, a cleaning and degreasing agent, and a thinner for paints, inks, and adhesives. It is also found in pesticides and in small amounts in airplane fuel and gasoline.

    Standards

    • The OSHA standard for permissible exposure limit is 100 parts per million averages over an eight-hour work period. It is an immediate danger to health and life at a concentration of 900 parts per million. The Environmental Protection Agency standard for xylene in drinking water is 10 parts per million.

    Xylene Exposure

    • Human and animal exposure to xylene usually occurs by inhalation. It is easily absorbed through the lungs into the body. Xylene is heavier than air and so it may accumulate near the floor and can reach levels that cause death by asphyxiation. Xylene is also a skin and eye irritant. Skin exposure over a long period of time will dry out the skin and cause it to crack. Xylene is a mild irritant to the eye unless it is splashed into the eye, in which case it can cause injury to the cornea.

    Xylene Poisoning

    • Symptoms of xylene poisoning include headaches, dizziness, inability to control voluntary muscles, sleepiness, excitability, tremor, coma, heart rhythm irregularities, fluid in the lungs, decrease in respiration, nausea, and vomiting. There is no antidote for xylene, so only the cardiac and respiratory symptoms of xylene poisoning can be treated. If a person has ingested liquid xylene, there is likely to be significant damage to the trachea and gastrointestinal tract. Immediate medical care is essential.

    First Responders

    • First responders to a spill of xylene must wear HAZMAT suits and respirators and must be properly trained to deal with this particular substance. People who have inhaled xylene may be transported to a medical facility without being decontaminated. People exposed to liquid xylene must be decontaminated first for their own safety and the safety of others.

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