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TOLUENE


image source: PubChem
Health concerns of ingredient
About the ratings
Canceryes
Developmental & reproductive toxicityyes
Allergies & immunotoxicityyes
Other HIGH concerns: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards, Use restrictions
Other MODERATE concerns: Neurotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
Other LOW concerns: Ecotoxicology, Data gaps

About the ratings

EWG provides information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. The ratings below indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors which determine actual health risks, if any. Learn more | Legal Disclaimer

About TOLUENE: A volatile petrochemical solvent and paint thinner, toluene is a potent neurotoxicant that acts as an irritant, impairs breathing, and causes nausea. Mother’s exposure to toluene vapors during pregn ... read more

Synonym(s): BENZENE, METHYL-; METHYLBENZENE; TOLUOL; METHYL- BENZENE; BENZENE, METHYL; ANTISAL 1A; BENZENE, METHYL-; CP 25; METHACIDE; METHANE, PHENYL-; NCI-C07272

Developmental/reproductive toxicity

Type of Concern Reference
Possible human developmental toxicantCalifornia EPA Proposition 65
Human developmental toxicant - strong evidenceCHE Toxicant and Disease Database
Human nervous system toxicant - strong evidenceCHE Toxicant and Disease Database
Human developmental toxicant - strong evidence
Limited evidence of reproductive toxicityNational Library of Medicine HazMap
Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidenceCHE Toxicant and Disease Database
Human developmental toxicant - moderate evidenceCHE Toxicant and Disease Database
Human reproductive toxicant - moderate evidenceCHE Toxicant and Disease Database
Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidenceChemicals known to be neurotoxic to humans
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Neurotoxicity

Type of Concern Reference
Strong evidence of human neurotoxicityChemicals known to be neurotoxic to humans
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Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

Type of Concern Reference
Known human respiratory toxicantEPA Hazardous Air Pollutants
Possible human renal toxicantCHE Toxicant and Disease Database
Possible human cardiovascular toxicantCHE Toxicant and Disease Database
Possible human sense organ toxicantCHE Toxicant and Disease Database
Possible human musculoskeletal toxicantCHE Toxicant and Disease Database
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
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Allergies/immunotoxicity

Type of Concern Reference
Limited evidence of immune system toxicity
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Persistence and bioaccumulation

Type of Concern Reference
Persistent or bioaccumulative and moderate to high toxicity concern in humansEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
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Cancer

Type of Concern Reference
Cancer - limited evidenceCHE Toxicant and Disease Database
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Occupational hazards

Type of Concern Reference
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low dosesEuropean Union - Classification & Labelling
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate dosesEuropean Union - Classification & Labelling

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

Type of Concern Reference
Classified as skin irritantEuropean Union - Classification & Labelling
Human irritant - strong evidenceCosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments
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Ecotoxicology

Type of Concern Reference
Wildlife and environmental toxicityEPA Clean Water Act - Priority Pollutants
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Miscellaneous

Type of Concern Reference
Occupational hazards related to handling European Union - Classification & Labelling

Data gaps

Type of Concern Reference
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments
Considered safe based on assumption of low absorption Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments
Insufficient data to determine safety EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)

Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
government/industry list/academic study appears on list as classification(s)

references
government/industry list/academic study reference
European Union - Classification & LabellingCPS&Q (Consumer Products Safety & Quality) formely known as ECB (European Chemicals Bureau). 2008. Classification and Labelling: Chemicals: Annex VI of Directive 67/548/EEC through the 31st ATP.
Association of Occupational and Environmental ClinicsAOEC (Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics). 2009. AEOC exposures codes and asthmagen designation.
CHE Toxicant and Disease DatabaseCHE (The Collaborative on Health and the Environment). 2006. Toxicant and Disease Database.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review AssessmentsCIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC.
EPA Clean Water Act - Priority Pollutants
Environment Canada Domestic Substance ListEC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2008. Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Evidence for human carcinogenicity based on 1986-2005 guidelines.
EPA Hazardous Air PollutantsEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2005. Office of Air. The 112(b)1 Hazardous Air Pollutants List (as modified). Last modified: 12 Dec 2005.
National Library of Medicine HazMapNLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents.
Int'l Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - CarcinogensIARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). 2008. Overall Evaluations of Carcinogenicity to Humans, as evaluated in IARC Monographs Volumes 1-99 (a total of 935 agents, mixtures and exposures).
International Fragrance Association Codes & StandardsIFRA (International Fragrance Association). 2006. Codes and Standards.
EPA Categorized List of Inert Pesticide IngredientsEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1987 & 2005. Office of Pesticide Programs. Inert (other) Pesticide Ingredients in Pesticide Products - Categorized List of Inert (other) Pesticide Ingredients.
Chemicals known to be neurotoxic to humansGrandjean P and PJ Landrigan. 2006. Developmental neurotoxicity of industrial chemicals. Lancet. 2006 Dec 16;368(9553):2167-78.
EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTsEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1999. Toxics Release Inventory Program. PBT Chemical Rule.
California EPA Proposition 65California EPA (California Environmental Protection Agency). 9/2008. Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. Chemicals known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.

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