However, these studies were confounded by exposure to multiple chemicals. Children born to toluene abusers have exhibited temporary renal tubular acidosis. However, these observations cannot be clearly ascribed to toluene because of the small number of cases evaluated and the large number of confounding variables. Several inhalation studies have shown toluene to be a developmental toxicant, but not a reproductive toxicant, in rodents. However, these studies were limited due to the size of the study population and lack of historical monitoring data.
Toluene occurs as a colorless, flammable, refractive liquid, that is slightly soluble in water.
Toluene has a sweet, pungent odor, with an odor threshold of 2.9 ppm. Toluene is also used to produce benzene and as a solvent in paints, coatings, adhesives, inks, and cleaning agents. Toluene is also used in the production of polymers used to make nylon, plastic soda bottles, and polyurethanes and for pharmaceuticals, dyes, cosmetic nail products, and the synthesis of organic chemicals. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, Office of Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, OH. 1993.