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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Cloudsweeper99, post: 559157, member: 3011&quot;]2. Effects on Humans: Xylene is an irritant of the eyes and mucous membranes at concentrations below 200 ppm, and it is narcotic at high concentrations [AIHA 1978; Proctor, Hughes, and Fischman 1988, p. 511]. The estimated oral LD(50) for humans is 50 mg/kg [EPA Health Advisory, 1987, p. 4]. Of three workers exposed to xylene concentrations of approximately 10,000 ppm for 18.5 hours, one died and two recovered slowly after a period of unconsciousness and retrograde amnesia; disturbances of liver and kidney function were noted in these workers [ACGIH 1986, p. 637; Baselt 1980, p. 286; Clayton and Clayton 1981, p. 3292]. Ingestion of xylene causes gastrointestinal distress and may cause toxic hepatitis [Clayton and Clayton 1981, p. 3294]. Aspiration of xylene or acute exposure to high vapor concentrations of this substance may cause chemical pneumonitis, hemorrhage into the air spaces, and pulmonary edema [Clayton and Clayton 1981, p. 3294; Klaassen, Amdur, and Doull 1986, p. 351]. A worker exposed to the vapors of a solvent containing 75 percent xylene (approximate airborne xylene concentration of 60 to 350 ppm) developed giddiness, anorexia, and vomiting [Proctor, Hughes, and Fischman 1988, p. 511]. After inhalation of high (not further specified) concentrations of xylene, workers may become flushed, feel hot, and experience confusion, dizziness, tremors, and other signs or symptoms of central nervous system toxicity [Clayton and Clayton 1981, p. 3294]. Blood dyscrasias that have proven fatal in at least one case are reported to have been the result of chronic xylene exposure, but these hematopoietic effects are now believed to have been caused by benzene, formerly a common contaminant of xylene [ACGIH 1986, p. 637]. Chronic exposure to xylene may cause central nervous system depression, anemia, mucosal hemorrhage, bone marrow hyperplasia, liver enlargement, liver necrosis, and nephrosis [Clayton and Clayton 1981, p. 3295]. Repeated contact of the skin with xylene causes drying and dermatitis [Clayton and Clayton 1981, p. 3295].</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.osha.gov" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.osha.gov" rel="nofollow">www.osha.gov</a>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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