Toluene and xylene poisoning

Toluene and xylene are strong compounds that are used in many household and industrial products. Toluene and xylene poisoning can occur when someone swallows these substances, breathes in their fumes, or when these substances touch the skin.

This article is for information only. Do NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

The harmful substances in these products are:

• Toluene (methylbenzene, phenylmethane)
• Xylene (ortho-xylene, meta-xylene, para-xylene)

Where Found

Toluene and xylene are used in:

• Fingernail polish
• Glues and adhesives
• Lacquers
• Octane booster in gasoline
• Paints
• Paint thinners
• Printing and leather tanning processes
• Rubber and plastic cements
• Wood stains

Other products may also contain toluene and xylene.

Symptoms

Below are symptoms of toluene and xylene poisoning in different parts of the body.

EYES, EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT

• Blurred vision

  Blurred vision

  There are many types of eye problems and vision disturbances, such as: HalosBlurred vision (the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see ...

   

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• Burning pain
• Hearing loss

STOMACH AND INTESTINES

• Bloody stools
• Abdominal pain (severe)
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting (may be bloody)

HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS

• Irregular heartbeat

  Irregular heartbeat

  Palpitations are feelings or sensations that your heart is pounding or racing. They can be felt in your chest, throat, or neck. You may:Have an unpl...

   

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• Low blood pressure

KIDNEYS

• Kidney damage

LUNGS AND AIRWAYS

• Breathing difficulty
• Chest pain
• Cough
• Rapid, shallow breathing

  Rapid, shallow breathing

  Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathingUncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air

   

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NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Convulsions

  Convulsions

  A seizure is the physical findings or changes in behavior that occur after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term "seizure...

   

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• Dizziness

  Dizziness

  Dizziness is a term that is often used to describe 2 different symptoms: lightheadedness and vertigo. Lightheadedness is a feeling that you might fai...

   

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• Drowsiness

  Drowsiness

  Drowsiness refers to feeling abnormally sleepy during the day. People who are drowsy may fall asleep in inappropriate situations or at inappropriate...

   

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• Extreme feeling of well-being (euphoria)
• Headache
• Memory loss
• Nervousness
• Staggering

  Staggering

  Walking abnormalities are unusual and uncontrollable walking patterns. They are usually due to diseases or injuries to the legs, feet, brain, spinal...

   

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• Tremors
• Unconsciousness

  Unconsciousness

  Unconsciousness is when a person is unable to respond to people and activities.  Doctors often call this a coma or being in a comatose state. Other c...

   

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SKIN

• Dry, cracked skin
• Pale skin

Home Care

Get medical help right away. Do NOT make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to. If the substance is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

If the person swallowed the substance, give them water or milk right away, if a provider tells you to do so. Do NOT give anything to drink if the person has symptoms that make it hard to swallow. These include vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness. If the person breathed in fumes, move them to fresh air right away.

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

• Person's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (and ingredients, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

Poison Control

Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Take the container to the hospital with you, if possible.

The provider will measure and monitor the person’s vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated.

The person may receive:

• Breathing support, including tube through the mouth into the lungs and breathing machine (ventilator)
• Bronchoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs
• Chest x-ray
• EKG (electrocardiogram or heart tracing)
• Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach
• Fluids through a vein (by IV)
• Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach ( gastric lavage )

  Gastric lavage

  Gastric suction is a procedure to empty the contents of your stomach.

   

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• Surgery to remove burned skin
• Washing of the skin (irrigation), perhaps every few hours for several days

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well someone does depends on how severe their poisoning is and how quickly they receive treatment. The faster medical help is given, the better the chance for recovery.

Inhaling these substances for long periods of time can cause permanent brain damage. This type of damage is seen in people who "sniff" these substances on purpose to get high.