Exposure to xylene can irritate the eyes, nose, skin, and throat. Xylene can also cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, loss of muscle coordination, and in high doses, death. Workers may be harmed from exposure to xylene.

There is a low potential for accumulation. [4, 5] Xylene causes health effects from both acute (<14 days) and also chronic (>365 days) exposure. The type and severity of health effects depends on several factors, including the amount of chemical you are exposed to and the length of time you are exposed for.

It is one in a series of Public Health Statements about hazardous substances and their health effects. A shorter version, the ToxFAQs TM, is also available. This information is important because this substance may harm you.

Most exposures to xylene occur by inhalation and xylene is readily absorbed from the lungs. Xylene's odor threshold is about 1 ppm, which is 100 times less than the OSHA PEL and generally provides adequate warning of acutely hazardous concentrations. Irritation of eye and throat occur at about 200 ppm.

Prolonged exposure to xylene leads to significant amount of solvent accumulation in the adipose and muscle tissue. This article reviews the various acute and chronic health effects of xylene through various routes of exposure. Keywords: Methyl hippuric acid, Biological exposure index, Occupational safety, Laboratory technicians and xylene toxicity.

Exposure to xylene occurs in the workplace and when you use paint, gasoline, paint thinners and other products that contain it. People who breathe high levels may have dizziness, confusion, and a change in their sense of balance.

LOAELs have been classified into “less serious” or “serious” effects. “Serious” effects are those that evoke failure in a biological system and can lead to morbidity or mortality (e.g., acute respiratory distress or death).

The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present. For more information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-800-232-4636.

Health Hazard Summary: Overexposure to xylene most commonly depresses the central nervous system, producing headaches, nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness, and irritates the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Xylene is a clear, light-colored or colorless, flammable liquid …

Toxicological Profile for Xylene. This public health statement tells you about xylene and the effects of exposure to it. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the nation.