2. Toluene
O What is Toluene?
O Toluene (C7H8) is water-
insoluble liquid which is well
known in the industrial industry it
also is a solvent with a clear color.
O Also Known as:
O Methylbenzene
O Methacide
O C6H5CH3
O Toluol
O Phenylmethane
3. Ways
Toluene is
Used
• The largest use for
toluene is in the
production of
benzene.
• Toluene is also
used as an octane
booster or
enhancer in
gasoline, as a raw
material for toluene
diisocyanate, as a
solvent, and in
solvent extraction
processes.
• As a solvent, it may
be used in aerosol
spray paints, wall
paints, lacquers,
inks, as well as in a
variety of consumer
products, such as
spot removers,
cosmetics,
perfumes, and
antifreezes.
5. How Toluene is
Connected to
Embalming
O Toluene can be use for certain
cosmestics. Ex: Nail Polish
6. Quick Facts
Interesting Fact Fun Fact
O In humans epidemiology
studies have shown no
significant increased of
risk for cancer among
workers who were
exposed to toluene for at
least 5 years. Although a
study that was
conducted did report, the
incidence of respiratory
tract tumors was
increased among all
workers exposed for a
minimum of 3 months.
Oddly, when only those
workers exposed for 5
years and a latency
period of 10 years were
considered, the
significance of the
increase was lost..
O Like many solvents,
toluene is also
misused as an
inhalant drug for its
intoxicating
properties; however,
inhaling toluene has
potential to cause
severe neurological
harm.
O Toluene is an
important organic
solvent, but is also
capable of
dissolving a number
of notable inorganic
chemicals such as
sulfur.
7. My Thoughts on
Toluene
O Toluene has been known to
affect the nervous system
causing dizziness, eye
irritation, headaches, liver and
kidney damage to the living,
but very useful to Embalmers.
8. Works Cited
O Agency, E. P. (2012, July 27).
Technology Transfer Network.
Retrieved July 20, 2013, from U.S
Environmental Protection Agency:
http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlt
hef/toluene.html
O Science Lab. (2005, October 10).
Retrieved July 19, 2013, from
Science Lab Site:
http://www.sciencelab.com/msdsL
ist.php
