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What is Xylene?

Sep 24，2019

What is Xylene?

Xylene is a colorless liquid that had a sweet odor. Xylene is flammable and practically insoluble. Xylene is primarily a synthetic chemical; however, it can occur naturally in petroleum, coal tar, and during forest fires.

There are three forms of xylene: meta-xylene, ortho-xylene and para-xylene. These different forms are known as isomers. Collectively, these three isomers of xylene are known as total xylenes.

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What is Xylene Used for?

In terms of volume, xylene is one of the top 30 chemicals produced in the United States. Xylene is primarily used as a solvent (a liquid that can dissolve other substances), particularly in the printing, rubber and leather industries. Xylene is also used as: Cleaning Agent; Paint Thinner and Remover; Varnish; Airplane Fuel; Gasoline; Shellac; Rust Preventatives; Pesticides; Lacquers.

What Happens to Xylene in the Environment?

Because xylene is a liquid, it can easily leak into soil, surface water or groundwater. Xylene can enter soil, water or air in large amounts after spills or as a result of a leak during storage or burial at a waste site.

Xylene evaporates quickly, meaning that most xylene that gets into soil or water is released into the air and broken down by sunlight and less harmful chemicals within a couple of days. However, if xylene make its way down into underground water, it may remain for several months before being broken down.

How Might I be Exposed to Xylene?

Xylene is most frequently released from industrial sources, automobile exhaust, and during its use as a solvent. As such, paint industry workers, automobile garage workers, and metal workers are particularly likely to be exposed to xylene. People who live near these industries may also be at risk for heightened exposure to xylene.

You may also be exposed to xylene by using a variety of consumer products including gasoline, paint varnish and rust preventatives. Small amount of xylene can even be found in cigarette smoke.
Xylene exposure can also occur thorough contact with contaminated soil and by drinking contaminated water.

What are the Health Effects of Xylene?

Both the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a division of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have determined that there is insufficient information to determine the possible carcinogenic effects of xylene.

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