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Toluene/xylene

Definition

Toluene and xylene are powerful compounds that are found in many household and industrial substances. Toluene and xylene poisoning can occur when someone swallows these substances, breathes in their vapors, or when these substances touch the skin.

Poisonous Ingredient

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

Where Found

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

Note: This list may not include all sources of toluene/xylene.

Symptoms

• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Blurred vision
  • Burning pain
  • Hearing loss
• Gastrointestinal
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
• Heart and blood vessels
  • Irregular heartbeat
• Kidneys
  • Kidney damage
• Lungs and airways
  • Chemical pneumonia
  • Rapid, shallow breathing
• Nervous system
  • Convulsions
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Exaggerated feeling of well-being (euphoria)
  • Headache
  • Memory loss
  • Nervousness
  • Staggering
  • Tremors
  • Unconsciousness
• Skin
  • Dry, cracked skin
  • Pale skin

Home Care

Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

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

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called 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.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. You may receive:

• Breathing tube
• Bronchoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs
• Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach
• Fluids by IV
• Oxygen
• Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)
• Surgical removal of burned skin (skin debridement)
• Washing of the skin (irrigation) -- perhaps every few hours for several days

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

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

Review Date: 2/7/2008
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.