neoFroxx® Toluene pure, CAS: 108-88-3

Derived from petroleum, toluene is used as a solvent and chemical intermediate. Purified toluene contains about 0.01% benzene, but crude toluene may contain as much as 25% benzene. Rotogravure printers were exposed to high concentrations of toluene (decreasing from about 1710 ppm in 1969 to about 43-157 ppm in 1980). [ACGIH] Used in photography (color retouching); [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html]

ACGIH - Documentation of the TLVs and BEIs, 7th Ed. Cincinnati: ACGIH Worldwide, 2020.

Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases

The present study demonstrates reductions of dopamine (DA) turnover in various areas of the anterior nucleus caudate of rat by toluene at concentrations lower than the current OSHA threshold limit value (100 ppm). Thus, toluene at low concentrations may produce disturbances in dopaminergic mechanisms of the basal ganglia probably leading to functional changes in sensory-motor integration. The increases in DA turnover in the cholecystokinin (CCK)-DA terminals of the subcortical limbic system induced by high concentrations of toluene may be part of the neurochemical basis for its abuse as a euphoric agent in man.

PMID:7112606

Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Exposure to toluene causes both reversible and irreversible changes in the central nervous system. The effects of toluene inhalation on some specific enzymes and glutamate and GABA receptor binding in defined parts of the rat brain were studied following several exposure schemes. The activities of the transmitter synthesizing enzymes glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and aromatic amino-acid decarboxylase (AAD) were used as markers for permanent loss of neuronal activity. Catecholaminergic neurons showed a 50% reduction in the brain stem after 4 weeks exposure to 250 and 1000 ppm toluene. Following 500 ppm of toluene, 16 hr/day for 3 months, a general increase in the activities was seen. This is most probably due to a reduction in total protein content, to which the activities were related. The neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA had their specific receptor binding increased in most of the brain areas studied, but decreased in some areas. The glial enzyme, glutamine synthetase, has its activity increased in the cerebellar hemisphere following 4 weeks exposure to 1000 ppm. This suggests that glial cells in the area may have proliferated, a frequent phenomenon following CNS damage.

Bjornaes S, Naalsund Lu; Toxicol 49 (2-3): 367-74 (1988)

Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

The effect on energetic metabolism of rat liver mitochondria (RLM) of styrene and other aliphatic benzene derivatives, i.e. toluene, ethylbenzene, alpha-methylstyrene and butylbenzene, is studied. It is shown that these compounds uncouple oxidative phosphorylation and this effect is connected with the stimulation of passive entry of protons into mitochondria. The relationship between hydrophobicity of these compounds and their biological activity and mechanism of uncoupling effect are discussed.

PMID:2904817

Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)