Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Xylenes are handled, processed, or stored, since the chemicals can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134.
Increased protection is obtained from full facepiece powered air purifying respirators.
If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Xylenes, or in the case of a full facepiece respirator you experience eye irritation, leave the area immediately. Check to make sure the respirator to face seal is still good. If it is, replace the filter, cartridge, or canister. If the seal is no longer good, you may need a new respirator. Exposure to 10,000 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and health.