Stronger effect / evidence
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Weaker effect / evidence

Xylenes

CAS: 1330-20-7

How can this chemical affect my health?

Acute (Short Term) EffectsData sources

Toxic To Humans & Animals, priority yellow
Toxic to Humans & Animals – Can be fatal on contact, ingestion or inhalation for humans and other mammals.
Irritates The Skin, priority yellow
Irritates the Skin – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the skin.
Irritates The Eyes, priority orange
Irritates the Eyes – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the eye.

Chronic (Long Term) EffectsData sources

Brain/nervous System Harm, priority gray
Brain/Nervous System Harm – Can cause damage to the nervous system including the brain.
Cancer, priority gray
Cancer – Can cause or increase the risk of cancer.
Endocrine Disruption, priority orange
Endocrine Disruption – Can interfere with hormone communication between cells which controls metabolism, development, growth, reproduction and behavior (the endocrine system).
Birth Defects, priority gray
Birth Defects – Can cause harm to the developing child including birth defects, low birth weight and biological or behavioral problems that appear as the child grows.
Other Health Effects, priority orange
Other Health Effects – Can cause serious damage on contact or ingestion.
Reproductive Harm, priority orange
Reproductive Harm – Can disrupt the male or female reproductive systems, changing sexual development, behavior or functions, decreasing fertility, or resulting in loss of the fetus during pregnancy.

Data sources

Direct Hazard » Brain/Nervous System Harm

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • Neurotoxic
    G&L - Neurotoxic Chemicals
    Lancet: authors Philippe Grandjean & Phil Landrigan
  • Neurotoxic
    Boyes - Neurotoxicants
    Pattys Toxicology: author William K Boyes
  • H336 - May cause drowsiness or dizziness [Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure - Category 3]
    GHS - Korea
    Republic of Korea - National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER)

Direct Hazard » Cancer

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • (1999) Data are inadequate for an assessment of human carcinogenic potential
    US EPA - IRIS Carcinogens
    US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
  • Group 3 - Agent is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans
    IARC
    International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization (IARC)

Direct Hazard » Endocrine Disruption

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • Potential Endocrine Disruptor
    TEDX - Potential Endocrine Disruptors
    The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX)

Direct Hazard » Birth Defects

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • Pregnancy Risk Group D
    MAK
    MAK Commission of Germany (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)

Direct Hazard » Other Health Effects

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • H372 - Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure - Category 1]
    GHS - Korea
    Republic of Korea - National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER)
  • H372 - Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Specific target organs/systemic toxicity following repeated exposure - Category 1]
    GHS - Japan
    Government of Japan
  • H370 - Causes damage to organs [Specific target organs/systemic toxicity following single exposure - Category 1]
    GHS - Japan
    Government of Japan
  • H335 - May cause respiratory irritation [Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation - Category 3]
    GHS - Australia
    Safe Work Australia
  • Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure category 2
    GHS - New Zealand
    New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)

Direct Hazard » Reproductive Harm

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • Reproductive toxicity category 2
    GHS - New Zealand
    New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
  • H360 - May damage fertility or the unborn child [Toxic to reproduction - Category 1B]
    GHS - Japan
    Government of Japan
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Inherent HazardsData sources

Restricted List, priority gray
Restricted List – This chemical is on a list from an authoritative body recommending that its use be avoided.
Flammable, priority yellow
Flammable – Easily ignited and capable of burning rapidly.

Data sources

Direct Hazard » Restricted List

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • HAPs subject to the Clean Air Act
    US EPA - Hazardous Air Pollutants
    US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
  • Candidate Chemical List
    CA SCP - Candidate Chemicals
    California Department of Toxic Substance Control (CA DTSC)
  • Substances selected for RMOA or hazard assessment
    EU - PACT-RMOA Substances
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • Antimicrobials
    GSPI - Six Classes of Problematic Chemicals
    Green Science Policy Institute (GSPI)
  • Some Solvents
    GSPI - Six Classes of Problematic Chemicals
    Green Science Policy Institute (GSPI)
  • Chemicals of High Concern
    MDH - Chemicals of High Concern and Priority Chemicals
    Minnesota Department of Public Health
  • ZDHC - MRSL v1.1 for Textiles and Synthetic Leather Processing
    ZDHC - MRSL v1.1
    Zero Discharge of Hazardous Waste Chemicals Programme
  • Limit of harmful substances in industrial protective coatings (GB 30981-2020)
    China's limit standard for volatile organic compounds
    State Administration for Market Regulation - Standardization Administration of China
  • Limit standard for volatile organic compounds content in adhesives (GB 33372-2020)
    China's limit standard for volatile organic compounds
    State Administration for Market Regulation - Standardization Administration of China
  • Limit standard for volatile organic compounds content in printing inks (GB 38507-2020)
    China's limit standard for volatile organic compounds
    State Administration for Market Regulation - Standardization Administration of China
  • Limit standard for volatile organic compounds content in cleaning agents (GB 38508-2020)
    China's limit standard for volatile organic compounds
    State Administration for Market Regulation - Standardization Administration of China
  • Restrictions for Manufacturing Process
    Google Manufacturing Restricted Substances Specification (v1.3)
    Google
  • Reportable Chemicals
    MA Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) listed substances
    Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
  • Food Contact Chemicals Database Version 5.0
    Food Contact Chemicals Database (FCCdb)
    Food Packaging Forum
  • Food Contact Chemicals of Concern List (FCCoCL)
    Food Contact Chemicals of Concern (FCCoCL)
    Food Packaging Forum
  • Food Contact Chemicals of Concern List (FCCoCL) - TIER 3
    Food Contact Chemicals of Concern (FCCoCL)
    Food Packaging Forum
  • Target Priority Chemicals List (TPCL)
    Target Corp - Target Priority Chemicals List (TPCL)
    Target Corporation
  • ZDHC - MRSL v2.0
    ZDHC - MRSL v2.0
    Zero Discharge of Hazardous Waste Chemicals Programme
  • FPF Priority Substance List from FCCdb
    FPF Priority Substance List from FCCdb
    Food Packaging Forum
  • Food Packaging Forum Priority Substances List
    GreenScreen Certified Standard for Food Service Ware RSL
    Clean Production Action (CPA)
  • Reportable Substances and Future Restrictions in Manufacturing Processes
    Apple Regulated Substances Specification - Restrictions in Manufacturing Processes
    Apple Inc.
  • TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory - Active
    TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory (Active-Inactive)
    US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
  • ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) Version 2.0
    GreenScreen Certified Standard for Furniture & Fabrics Silver-Gold RSL
    Clean Production Action (CPA)
  • ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) Version 2.0
    GreenScreen Certified Standard for Firefighting Foam RSL
    Clean Production Action (CPA)
  • ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) Version 2.0
    GreenScreen Certified Standard for Textile Chemicals RSL
    Clean Production Action (CPA)
  • ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) Version 2.0
    GreenScreen Certified Standard for Medical Supplies & Devices Silver-Gold RSL
    Clean Production Action (CPA)

Direct Hazard » Flammable

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • H226 - Flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 3]
    EU - GHS (H-Statements) Annex 6 Table 3-1
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • H226 - Flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 3]
    GHS - Korea
    Republic of Korea - National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER)
  • Class B2 - Flammable liquids
    Québec CSST - WHMIS 1988
    Québec Workplace Health and Safety Commission (Commission de la santé et de la securite du travail (CSST))
  • Flammable liquids category 3
    GHS - New Zealand
    New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
  • H226 - Flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 3]
    GHS - Japan
    Government of Japan
  • H226 - Flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 3]
    GHS - Malaysia
    Malaysia Department of Occupational Safety and Health
  • H226 - Flammable liquid and vapour [Flammable liquids - Category 3]
    GHS - Australia
    Safe Work Australia

Xylene Compounds » Restricted List

These sources refer to a group of compounds containing this chemical:

  • Extended Red List substance to reduce in Living Building Challenge projects
    Living Building Challenge 2.1 - Red List of Materials & Chemicals
    International Living Future Institute (ILFI)
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How does this chemical impact the environment?Data sources

Immediate Harm To Aquatic Ecosystems, priority orange
Immediate Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems – A single exposure may result in severe biological harm or death to fish or other aquatic organisms.
Long-term Harm To Aquatic Ecosystems, priority orange
Long-Term Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems – Long term exposure may result in irreversible harm to fish or other aquatic organisms.

Data sources

Direct Hazard » Immediate Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • H401 - Toxic to aquatic life [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (acute) - Category 2]
    GHS - Japan
    Government of Japan

Direct Hazard » Long-Term Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • H411 - Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (chronic) - Category 2]
    GHS - Japan
    Government of Japan
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What safer alternatives are available for this chemical?

Find case studies related to substitutions for this chemical in SubsPORT, the substitution support portal.

How am I likely to be exposed to this chemical?

Harmful in contact with skin
Skin contact
Harmful if inhaled
Inhalation

How can I protect myself from exposure to this chemical in the workplace?

gloves
Handle with gloves
respirator
Respirator