| Chemical Abstract Number (CAS #) |
108883
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| CASRN |
108-88-3 |
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| Synonyms | Toluene |
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Benzene, methyl | Toluol | Methylbenzene | Phenylmethane | Methacide |
| Analytical Methods |
EPA Method 502.2 |
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EPA Method 503.1 |
EPA Method 524.2 |
EPA Method 602 |
EPA Method 624 |
EPA Method 8021 |
EPA Method 8260 |
| Molecular Formula | C7H8 |
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Link to the National Library of Medicine's Hazardous Substances
Database for more details
on this compound. |
| Use | In manufacture benzoic acid, benzaldehyde, explosives, dyes, and many other organic
compounds; as a solvent for paints, lacquers, gums, resins, in the extraction of various principles
from plants; as gasoline additive.
DILUENT FOR PHOTOGRAVURE INKS
IN FABRIC & PAPER COATING, MFR ARTIFICIAL LEATHER
Used in cements, solvents, spot removers, cosmetics, antifreezes, and inks.
Asphalt and naphtha constituent. Detergent manufacture.
Mfg caprolactam, saccharin, medicines, and perfumes; diluent and thinner in nitrocellulose
lacquers, adhesive solvent in plastic toys and model airplanes.
Fuel blending
DENATURANT
The largest chemical use for toluene is the production of benzene and urethane via
hydrodealkylation.
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| Consumption Patterns | CHEM INT FOR BENZENE, 55.3%; SOLVENT, 25.7%; CHEM INT FOR TOLUENE
DIISOCYANATE, 7.3%; CHEM INT FOR BENZOIC ACID, 2.5%; CHEM INT FOR
BENZYL CHLORIDE, 1.5%; OTHER, 7.7% (1981 NON-GASOLINE USE)
Benzene, 46%; gasoline blending, 37%; solvent, 8%; toluene diisocyanate, 7%; miscellaneous
chemicals, 2% (1985) estimate
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| Apparent Color | Colorless liquid
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| Odor | SWEET, PUNGENT, BENZENE-LIKE ODOR
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| Boiling Point | 111 Deg C @ 760 MM HG
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| Melting Point | -95 DEG C
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| Molecular Weight | 92.13
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| Density | 0.8661 @ 20 DEG C/4 DEG C
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| Odor Threshold Concentration | 2.14 ppm (8 mg/cu m). Odor recognition level is reported as 1.03 to 140 ug/cu m.
Odor in air= 1.30x10 11 mol/cu cm
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| Environmental Impact | Toluene is released into the atmosphere principally from the volatilization of petroleum
fuels and toluene-based solvents and thinners and from motor vehicle exhaust. Considerable
amounts are discharged into waterways or spilled on land during the storage, transport and
disposal of fuels and oils. If toluene is released to soil, it will be lost by evaporation from
near-surface soil and by leaching to the groundwater. Biodegradation occurs both in soil and
groundwater, but it is apt to be slow especially at high concentrations, which may be toxic to
microorganisms. The presence of acclimated microbial populations may allow rapid
biodegradation. It will not significantly hydrolyze in soil or water under normal environmental
conditions. If toluene is released into water, its concn will decrease due to evaporation and
biodegradation. This removal can be rapid or take several weeks, depending on temperature,
mixing conditions, and acclimation of microorganisms. It will not significantly adsorb to sediment
or bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms. If toluene is released to the atmosphere, it will degrade by
reaction with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals (half-life 3 hr to slightly over 1 day) or
be washed out in rain. It will not be subject to direct photolysis. The primary source of human
exposure is from inhalation of contaminated ambient air, especially in traffic or near filling
stations, or in occupational atmospheres where toluene-based solvents are used.
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| Environmental Fate | TERRESTRIAL FATE: If toluene is released to soil, it will be lost by evaporation from
near surface soil and microbial degradation. In one study, 94% of the chemical added to a clay
loam was lost by these processes . Since it is relatively mobile in soil, it is possible that it will
get into the groundwater and remain there where microbial degradation will not occur.
AQUATIC FATE: When released into water, toluene will be lost by both volatilization to the
atmosphere and biodegradation. The predominant process will depend on water temperature,
mixing conditions and the existence of acclimated microorganisms at the site. The half-life will
range from days to several weeks. It will not significantly hydrolyze, directly photolyze, adsorb to
sediment or bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms.
ATMOSPHERIC FATE: If toluene is released to the atmosphere, it will exist predominatly in the
vapor phase . It degrades moderately rapidly by reaction with photochemically produced
hydroxyl radicals. Its half-life ranges from 3 hrs to somewhat over a day(3,4). It is very effectively
washed out by rain(1,2). It will not be subject to direct photolysis in sunlight, although a complex
of toluene with molecular oxygen has been shown to absorb light at wavelengths >290 nm(6).
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| Drinking Water Impact | DRINKING WATER: 30 Canadian treatment facilities, 2 ppb avg, 14 ppb max, 33% pos
in summer; <1 ppb avg, 13 ppb max, 53% pos in winter . 12 Great Lakes municipalities 0-2
ppb, 5 cities' supplies pos . 17 USA drinking waters <1 parts/trillion, 14 pos . In a federal
survey of finished drinking water from groundwater sources <5% occurrence . 3 New Orleans
area water supplies 0-10 ppb . National Organics Reconnaissance Survey 60% occurrence(6).
Max concn in tapwater derived from bank-filtered Rhine R water 1 ppb(7). Three contaminated
drinking water wells in New Jersey and 55, 260, 6400 ppb whereas the highest concn in in
drinking water from surface water sources in 6.1 ppb(8). Groundwater supply in England 210 m
from gasoline storage 0.15 ppb(9). In 3 federal surveys of finished surface waters toluene was
found in 19% of the samples(10). In a 5-city survey in which the water supplies came from
different types of sources with various sources of pollution, 2 contained toluene, one 0.1 ppb and
the other 0.7 ppb(11). US Ground Water Supply Survey, 1982, 466 randomly selected driving
water supplies that used ground water as a source, 1.3% pos, 2.9 ppb max, 0.8 ppb median(12).
GROUNDWATER: Groundwater underlying 2 rapid infiltration sites 02 ppb . Groundwater
under gasification site - 15 months after gasification performed 170-740 ppb . Contaminated
wells from gasoline storage tanks, etc. 0.55-6400 ppb(1,2). In cluster well study under old
industrial site mean levels in bedrock wells were 90 ppb while shallow and deep glacial wells were
10 ppb .
SURFACE WATER: 14 heavily industrialized river basins in USA (204 sites 1-5 ppb, 15%
pos . Detected in various rivers(2,3,4).
SEA WATER: Gulf of Mexico 3-376 parts/trillion(1,2). Vineland Sound, MA 10-54 parts/trillion,
27 Mexico 3-376 parts/trillion(1,2). Vineland Sound, MA 10-54 parts/trillion, 27 parts/trillion avg
- source - fuel from boats .
RAIN WATER: West Los Angeles 76 parts/trillion . 7 rain events, Portland, OR, Feb-Apr
1984, 71.4% pos, concn in rain (parts/trillion) range of pos, 40-220, 88 avg; concn in gas phase
(ng/cu m), 1800-8600, 3800 avg .
EFFL: Industries in which the mean effluent levels exceed 1000 ppb are: auto and other laundries,
iron and steel manufacturing, gum and wood chemicals, pharmaceuticals, organic
chemicals/plastics manufacturing, paint and ink formulation. The highest mean value is 52 ppm for
pharmaceuticals and the highest maximum values are 230 and 260 ppm for pharmaceuticals and
organic chemicals/plastics manufacturing . Plume from General Motors Paint Plant, Janesville,
WI 156 ppb . Auto exhaust 196-718 mg/cu m . USEPA STORET database, 1,498 data
points, 19.7% pos, 5.0 ppb median concn . MN municipal solid waste landfills, leachates, 6
sites, 100% pos, 7.5-600, 1.5-8300 ppb, contaminated groundwater (by inorganic indices), 13
sites, 46% pos, 7 sites, 14% pos, 3.8 ppb .
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