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p-Xylene

RTECS #
ZE2625000
CAS #
106-42-3
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
March 2019
Molecular Weight
106.18
Molecular Formula
C8H10
Synonyms
1,4-Dimethylbenzene
1,4-Xylene
Chromar
p-Dimethylbenzene
p-Methyltoluene
p-Xylene (ACGIH:OSHA)
P-Xylol
Scintillar

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/rat 3000 mg/m3/24H (9-10D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)

Reproductive: Other effects on female

Endocrine: Estrogenic
TXCYAC 19,263,1981
inhalation/rat 150 mg/m3/24H (7-14D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Extra embryonic structures (e.g., placenta, umbilical cord)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system
TXCYAC 18,61,1980
inhalation/rat 3000 mg/m3/24H (7-14D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)

Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)
TXCYAC 18,61,1980
inhalation/rat 7 gm/m3 (7-16D pregnant)Reproductive: Other effects on femaleTOLED5 34,223,1986
inhalation/mouse 500 mg/m3/12H (6-15D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system
ATSUDG 8,425,1985
inhalation/rabbit 1 gm/m3/24H (7-20D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)

Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Abortion

Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetal death
ATSUDG 8,425,1985
oral/mouse 12 mg/kg (12-15D pregnant)Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Craniofacial (including nose and tongue)APTOD9 19,A22,1980

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/guinea pig Lethal concentration: >8350 ppm/4HBehavioral: Tremor

Behavioral: Change in motor activity (specific assay)

Behavioral: Ataxia
NTIS** OTS0556752
inhalation/mouse Lowest published lethal concentration: 15 gm/m3Behavioral: General anesthetic

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression

Cardiac: Other changes
AEPPAE 143,223,1929
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 4550 ppm/4HLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Chronic pulmonary edema or congestion

Liver: Other changes

Blood: Changes in cell count (unspecified)
36YFAG -,302,1977
intraperitoneal/mammal (species unspecified) lowest published lethal dose: 2 gm/kgJPBAA7 46,95,1938
intraperitoneal/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2450 µL/kgARTODN 58,106,1985
intraperitoneal/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3810 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Chronic pulmonary edema or congestion

Liver: Other changes

Blood: Changes in cell count (unspecified)
36YFAG -,302,1977
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3910 mg/kgVCVGH* -,160,1990
subcutaneous/mammal (species unspecified) lowest published lethal dose: 5 gm/kgJPBAA7 46,95,1938

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 450 ppm/7W- intermittentNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gainPHTOEH 89,6,2001
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 900 ppm/13W- intermittentEar: Change in cochlear structure or functionPHTOEH 89,6,2001
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 900 ppm/4W- intermittentEar: Change in acuityPHTOEH 89,6,2001
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 1000 ppm/6H/8D- intermittentNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain

Behavioral: Food intake (animal)
FCTOD7 41,415,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 8993 mg/kg/2W- intermittentEar: Change in cochlear structure or functionARTODN 79,346,2005

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 100 ppm;short term exposure limit 150 ppmDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-Not classifiable as a human carcinogenDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Animal Inadequate EvidenceIMEMDT 71,1189,1999
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Human Inadequate EvidenceIMEMDT 71,1189,1999
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Group 3IMEMDT 71,1189,1999
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 47,75,1978
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENTOX* -,470,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOLED5 199,203,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNETEEC 52,68,2015
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWRTOPDW 60,120,2011

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 100 ppm (440 mg/m3) (skin)DTLVS* 3,281,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 80 ppm (350 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 150 ppm (655 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 50 ppm (221 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMshort term exposure limit 100 ppm (442 mg/m3), Skin, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 25 ppm (109 mg/m3), skin, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-ECtime-weighted average 221 mg/m3 (50 ppm);short term exposure limit 442 mg/m3 (100 ppm), skin, JUN2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 50 ppm (220 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 100 ppm (440 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 50 ppm (221 mg/m3), VLE 100 ppm (442 mg/m3), Skin, FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 221 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 442 mg/m3, Skin, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 25 ppm (109 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 100 ppm (442 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPANOccupational Exposure Limit 50 ppm (217 mg/m3), MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 100 ppm (435 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 150 ppm (655 mg/m3), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 50 ppm (217 mg/m3), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 100 ppm (434 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 150 ppm (651 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 50 ppm (200 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 100 ppm (450 mg/m3), Skin, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 100 ppm (435 mg/m3), KZG-week 200 ppm (870 mg/m3), skin, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 50 ppm (220 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 100 ppm (441 mg/m3), skin, OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (435 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (435 mg/m3)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (435 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (435 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO p-XYLENE-air10H time-weighted average 100 ppm;short term exposure limit 150 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code M1028; Number of Industries 22; Total Number of Facilities 1994; Number of Occupations 21; Total Number of Employees Exposed 20366; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 6336
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code M1028; Number of Industries 4; Total Number of Facilities 62; Number of Occupations 10; Total Number of Employees Exposed 1912

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA TSCA 8(a) PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT INFORMATION, FINAL RULEFEREAC 47,26992,82
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
OSHA ANALYTICAL METHOD #1002
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018