Identifying and Mitigating Occupational Exposure Risks to Xylene and Other Industrial Chemicals

Xylene is described by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor. There are three forms of xylene in which the methyl groups vary on the benzene ring: meta-xylene, ortho-xylene and para-xylene (m-, o- and p-xylene). These different forms are referred to as isomers.

Chemical companies produce xylene from petroleum and it is one of the top 30 chemicals produced in the United States in terms of volume according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). It is used as a solvent and in the printing, rubber and leather industries. It is also used as a cleaning agent, a thinner for paint, and in paints and varnishes. Xylene can even be found in small amounts in airplane fuel and gasoline.

NIOSH lists some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to xylene, they include:

• Painters and furniture refinishers who use paint thinners, solvents, lacquers and paint removers
• Biomedical laboratory workers who use it as a solvent to fix tissue specimens and rinse stains
• Workers involved in the distillation and purification of xylene
• Workers employed in industries who use xylene as a raw material
• Gas station and automobile garage workers through exposure to petroleum products

“Exposure to xylene can irritate the eyes, nose, skin and throat,” said Zahid Iqbal, MPH, CIH and Technical Director at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “It can also cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, loss of muscle coordination, and in high doses, death reports NIOSH. To help protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL).”

The industrial hygiene and environmental professionals at CSC are dedicated to helping companies and institutions safeguard their workers and maintain regulatory compliance through testing, monitoring, consulting and training services. Their professionals identify and mitigate exposure risks associated with xylene and many other hazards in the workplace. CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about xylene and potential occupational exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/pUvg_ccaEBs

To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

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Paul Cochrane

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Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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