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