| Toluene is a common compound widely used in | | | | toluene? |
| many industries as a solvent in paints, lacquers, | | | | One of the first things you should do when |
| glues and explosives. Household items such as nail | | | | handling toluene is to be properly fitted out with |
| polish, inks, glues, and stain removers all contain | | | | your personal protective equipment including |
| toluene. Toluene is also present in cigarette smoke | | | | protective goggles and gloves. A whole face |
| and car exhaust but it occurs as a natural | | | | mask is even recommended to avoid possible |
| component of crude oil and can be extracted | | | | splashes. |
| from a native Colombian balsam tree. | | | | As toluene is highly flammable although normally it |
| Toluene reacts readily with air and can be broken | | | | is a stable compound, you should avoid the |
| down to its component substances and | | | | following conditions when handling toluene: sparks, |
| compounds easily. However, when accidental spills | | | | electrostatic discharge, heat, open flames, and |
| of toluene occur on the ground, there is a huge | | | | other ignition sources. It is also a confined space |
| possibility that it will leach into the soil and into the | | | | hazard, meaning that a leak in a closed area is |
| groundwater. | | | | very dangerous and there should be proper |
| It is highly flammable, reacts easily with strong | | | | ventilation of your working space. |
| oxidizers and acids (nitric and sulfuric) and can | | | | Never use or handle toluene along with |
| cause damage to some forms of rubber, plastics, | | | | incompatible materials unless absolutely necessary |
| and coatings. When inhaled, ingested or come into | | | | and when you do, make sure you carry out all |
| contact with significant levels of toluene, the | | | | the precautionary measures. Again, it cannot be |
| patient can experience dizziness, nausea, | | | | helped but overemphasize the need for the |
| headache, stomach spasms when swallowed and | | | | workers to be properly trained at handling |
| itching and redness when it comes in contact with | | | | hazardous chemicals. |
| the skin. | | | | What should you do to ensure proper toluene |
| What should you do when an accident happens in | | | | storage conditions? |
| the workplace? | | | | Toluene safety largely depends on how you store |
| Even with strict safety policies in place, there is | | | | it. In ordinary circumstances, it is a fairly stable |
| always that small possibility for the inevitable, an | | | | compound. However, when there are improper |
| accident. It is very important that workers know | | | | storage conditions there is a high risk for |
| what to do when an accident occurs. It must be | | | | accidents. To decrease fire hazard, think about |
| an inherent concept of the company's standard | | | | using an inert gas in the container or storage |
| safety operating procedures that workers are | | | | vessel for toluene. |
| given first aid seminar on toluene along with other | | | | Use only non-igniting ventilation systems, standard |
| hazardous chemicals. | | | | explosion-proof equipment, and safe electrical |
| When inhaled, patient must be moved to the | | | | systems. Proper labeling of containers, chemicals |
| open for fresh air or if there is a need for artificial | | | | and other items must also be practiced so that |
| respiration then by all means do so and call the | | | | workers can easily identify the chemicals. Since |
| doctor first thing. Do not induce vomiting when | | | | toluene presents a confined space hazard, regular |
| toluene is ingested and instead give the patient | | | | air monitoring should be in place to determine if |
| lots of water to drink. If the victim is throwing up, | | | | there is proper ventilation. |
| keep the head below hips to avoid aspiration into | | | | Safety always comes first and employees must |
| the lungs. For skin and eye contact, immediately | | | | be empowered with the right knowledge and |
| flush affected area with plenty of water for 15 | | | | proper training to be able to deal with hazardous |
| minutes. For all these instances, get medical | | | | chemicals such as toluene with as few risks as |
| attention right away. | | | | possible. |
| What are the proper handling practices for | | | | |