Also known as: Benzene, methyl-, 1-Methylbenzene, Caswell No. 859, EINECS 203-625-9, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 080601 (+13 more)
CAS 108-88-3
Toluene (CAS 108-88-3) is a chemical substance with GHS signal word Danger; key hazard signal: H225; H361d ***; H304; H336; H373 **; H315. Key regulatory status: California Proposition 65, REACH registered, 60 regulatory/inventory lists, cosmetic ingredient cross-reference; source data from ECHA CLP, EPA ToxValDB, EPA CPDat, AICIS, SCCS, IARC, ECHA REACH, CA Prop 65, ILO ICSC, OSHA, EPA TRI.
Toluene is classified GHS Danger (H225, H361d, H304, H336, H373, H315) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics.
CAS, identifiers, formula, and alternate names for the matched substance record.
Carcinogenic hazard classification from IARC monograph evaluations.
| Group | Meaning | Evaluated | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 3 | Not classifiable | 1998 | 47, 71 |
California OEHHA listing status and toxicity category.
| Chemical | Toxicity Type | Cancer | Developmental | Listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | developmental | No | Yes | - |
| - | female | No | No | - |
EU harmonized hazard classification, hazard statements, pictograms, and signal word.
| Hazard Class | H-Statements | Pictograms | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flam. Liq. 2; Repr. 2; Asp. Tox. 1; STOT SE 3; STOT RE 2 *; Skin Irrit. 2 | H225; H361d ***; H304; H336; H373 **; H315 | GHS02; GHS08; GHS07 | Danger |
International Chemical Safety Card hazard and exposure summary.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| GHS Signal Word | DANGER |
| GHS Hazard Statements | Highly flammable liquid and vapour May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways Causes skin irritation May cause drowsiness or dizziness Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child May cause damage to nervous system through prolonged or repeated exposure Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects |
| Short-term Effects | The substance is irritating to the skin. The substance is mildly irritating to the eyes. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system. If this liquid is swallowed, aspiration into the lungs may result in chemical pneumonitis. Exposure at high levels could cause cardiac dysrhythmia and unconsciousness. |
| Long-term Effects | The substance defats the skin, which may cause dryness or cracking. The substance may have effects on the central nervous system. Exposure to the substance may increase noise-induced hearing loss. Animal tests show that this substance possibly causes toxicity to human reproduction or development. May cause colour vision impairment. |
| Routes of Exposure | The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion. |
Occupational exposure limits from OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH rows.
| Agency | Metric | Value | ppm | mg/m3 | Skin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSHA | TWA | 200 ppm | 200 | - | N |
| OSHA | CEILING | 300 ppm; 500 ppm (Peak) [10 min maximum in an 8 hr shift] | 300 | - | N |
| NIOSH | TWA | 100 ppm (375 mg/m³) | 100 | 375 | N |
| NIOSH | STEL | 150 ppm (560 mg/m³) | 150 | 560 | N |
| ACGIH | TWA | 20 ppm [2006] | 20 | - | N |
| CAL/OSHA | TWA | 10 ppm (37 mg/m³) | 10 | 37 | Y |
| CAL/OSHA | STEL | 150 ppm (560 mg/m³) | 150 | 560 | Y |
| CAL/OSHA | CEILING | 500 ppm | 500 | - | Y |
| NIOSH | IDLH | 500 ppm | 500 | - | - |
| AIHA | ERPG-1 | 50 ppm | 50 | - | - |
| AIHA | ERPG-2 | 300 ppm | 300 | - | - |
| AIHA | ERPG-3 | 1000 ppm | 1000 | - | - |
Industrial and product-use categories associated with this substance.
Inventory, screening, and regulatory list matches from public chemical databases.
| List | Keyword | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning products and household care - shoes; Europe | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| Cleaning products and household care - shoes; Europe | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies - arts and crafts paint; detected; Europe | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; Cleaning products and household care - air freshener; detected; emissions; Europe | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides | EPA | CPCat |
| Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies; Europe | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| artificial_sweat; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| Indirect additives food contact (10/2018) | FDA | United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Furniture and Furnishings | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Furniture and Furnishings | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| consumer_product; detected; Europe | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| consumer_product; detected; Europe | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| OEHHA Proposition 65 (3/2019) | STATE OF CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY | OEHHA Proposition 65 List |
| detected; Europe; Toys and children's products | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| Europe; nondetect; Toys and children's products | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| detected; Europe; Toys and children's products | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| detected; Europe; Toys and children's products | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Vehicle - car interior | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Vehicle - car interior | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Vehicle - car interior | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies - arts and crafts paint; Batteries; Cleaning products and household care - air freshener; Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods; Other indirect contact consumer goods; Toys and children's products | Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark; Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; Cleaning products and household care - air freshener; detected; emissions; Europe | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| air; Cleaning products and household care - air freshener; detected; emissions; Europe | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
Toxicology endpoints rendered from public NOAEL study rows.
| Value | Unit | Endpoint | Route | Species | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| =45.1 | mg/m3 | BMCL (05) | inhalation | Human | ToxValDB Cal OEHHA REL derivations |
| =431 | mg/kg bw/day | BMD | oral | Rat | ToxValDB IRIS |
| =238 | mg/kg bw/day | BMDL | oral | Rat | ToxValDB IRIS |
| =238 | mg/kg/day | BMDL | oral | - | Regulatory source |
| SQEinhalation=13000; oral=7000 | ug/day | California Proposition 65 MADL | - | - | California Proposition 65 |
| SQEdevelopmental | listing type | California Proposition 65 listing | - | - | California Proposition 65 |
| LCfemale | listing type | California Proposition 65 listing | - | - | California Proposition 65 |
| 17.66 | uL/min/10^6 cells | Clint | - | Human | NTP ICE adme parameters |
| 95.77 | uL/min/10^6 cells | Clint | - | Rat | NTP ICE adme parameters |
| =192 | mg/m3 | DNEL local | inhalation | Human | ToxValDB GESTIS DNEL |
| 9 | unitless | Draize rabbit irritation score | Ocular | Rabbit | NTP ICE eye irritation |
| 3 | unitless | EPA Classification | Ocular | Rabbit | NTP ICE eye irritation |
| 3FPU23BG52 | UNII | FDA UNII substance identifier | - | - | openFDA substances |
| 0.3 | fraction | Fu | - | Human | NTP ICE adme parameters |
| 0.3433 | fraction | Fu | - | Rat | NTP ICE adme parameters |
| 3 | IARC group | IARC carcinogenicity classification | - | - | IARC Monographs |
| 3 | unitless | IARC group | - | - | NTP ICE cancer |
| 0.02 | %/sec | Intensity | Ocular | - | NTP ICE eye irritation |
| 25.7 | mg/L | LC50 | Inhalation | - | NTP ICE acute inhalation |
| 28.1 | mg/L | LC50 | Inhalation | - | NTP ICE acute inhalation |
| 30 | mg/L | LC50 | Inhalation | - | NTP ICE acute inhalation |
| 37.66 | mg/L | LC50 | Inhalation | - | NTP ICE acute inhalation |
| 45.95 | mg/L | LC50 | Inhalation | - | NTP ICE acute inhalation |
| 49 | mg/L | LC50 | Inhalation | - | NTP ICE acute inhalation |
| 68.92 | mg/L | LC50 | Inhalation | - | NTP ICE acute inhalation |
| 100.6 | mg/L | LC50 | Inhalation | - | NTP ICE acute inhalation |
| =636 | mg/kg bw | LD50 | oral | Rat | NTP ICE acute oral |
| >2600 | mg/kg bw | LD50 | oral | Rat | NTP ICE acute oral |
| >5000 | mg/kg bw | LD50 | oral | Rat | NTP ICE acute oral |
| =5580 | mg/kg bw | LD50 | oral | Rat | NTP ICE acute oral |
| <7500 | mg/kg bw | LD50 | oral | Rat | NTP ICE acute oral |
| =376.9 | mg/m3 | LEL | inhalation | Rat | ToxValDB EPA TSCA 8e |
| =1131 | mg/m3 | LEL | inhalation | Human | ToxValDB NIOSH IDLH |
| >1884 | mg/m3 | LEL | inhalation | Human | ToxValDB NIOSH IDLH |
| =2261 | mg/m3 | LEL | inhalation | Human | ToxValDB NIOSH IDLH |
| =2638 | mg/m3 | LEL | inhalation | Human | ToxValDB NIOSH IDLH |
| =5653 | mg/m3 | LEL | inhalation | Rat | ToxValDB EPA TSCA 8e |
| =7537 | mg/m3 | LEL | inhalation | Rat | ToxValDB EPA TSCA 8e |
| =5.276e+4 | mg/m3 | LEL | inhalation | Human | ToxValDB DOE Protective Action Criteria |
| =10 | ppm | LOAEL | inhalation | - | WHO/JECFA |
| =56.53 | mg/m3 | LOAEL | inhalation | Human | ToxValDB ATSDR MRLs |
| =56.53 | mg/m3 | LOAEL | inhalation | Human (M/F) | Regulatory source |
| =100 | ppm | LOAEL | - | - | WHO/JECFA |
| ~226.1 | mg/m3 | LOAEL | inhalation | Human | ToxValDB EU SCOEL |
| =250 | mg/kg bw/day | LOAEL | oral | Rat | ToxValDB ATSDR MRLs |
| =250 | mg/kg/day | LOAEL | oral | Rat (Long-Evans; M) | Regulatory source |
| =260 | mg/kg bw/day | LOAEL | oral | Mouse | ToxValDB DOE Wildlife Benchmarks |
| =281 | mg/m3 | LOAEL | inhalation | Human | WHO/JECFA |
| =1000 | ppm | LOAEL | - | - | WHO/JECFA |
| =1200 | ppm | LOAEL | - | - | WHO/JECFA |
Showing 50 of 62 studies
Registration status from the ECHA REACH registered substances database.
| Status | Name | EC Number | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered | Toluene | 203-625-9 | ECHA overview → |
TRI hazard and reporting flags for the matched chemical.
| Chemical | Category | Flags |
|---|---|---|
| Toluene | - | - |
Australian industrial chemicals inventory status and applicable conditions.
EU Scientific Committee opinions tied to the matched substance.
| Opinion | Date | Conclusion | Max Conc. | Concerns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCCP/0985/06 | 10 October 2006 | 25% not safe in nail varnish | Neurotoxicity; reproductive/developmental toxicity; high volatility; CMR concerns | |
| SCCP/1029/06 | 10 October 2006 | Although specific information related to the effects in children is limited and because of the low and occasional exposure, the SCCP is of the opinion that the presence of toluene as a solvent in nail cosmetics does not pose a risk to the health of all groups of consumers, independent of their age. | - | Exposure-driven evaluation of acute inhalation effects and reproductive toxicity; occasional consumer exposure of 1-4 ppm considered safe; specific information on effects in children is limited. |
| SCCP/1170/08 | 2008-04-15 | In summary, the SCCP is of the opinion that inclusion of toluene up to 25% is safe from the general toxicological view in nail cosmetics used as intended in adults and children. However, the SCCP would like to point out that there is a foreseeable risk of increased inhalation by children as part of the normal playing behaviour from cosmetics promoted as children's toys. Therefore, the use of toluene in such products is not considered appropriate. | 25% | Acute neurological effects from short-term inhalation exposure (MoS of 10 acceptable as risk assessment based on human data); penetration of toluene through nail plate reasonably expected to be practically nil; foreseeable inhalation risk for children with toy-promoted products. |
Same-CAS cosmetic ingredient record for cross-vertical context.
Same-CAS pharmaceutical records from drug and bioactivity sources.
Same-CAS food additive, ADI, and GRAS records where available.
ADI: NOT SPECIFIED mg/kg bw
View full food safety profile →Same-CAS cannabis compliance and lab records where available.
1 cannabis record found in efsa substances.
View full cannabis profile →Toluene (CAS 108-88-3) is classified under EU CLP Annex VI as Flam. Liq. 2; Repr. 2; Asp. Tox. 1; STOT SE 3; STOT RE 2 *; Skin Irrit. 2 with signal word Danger. Hazard statements: H225; H361d ***; H304; H336; H373 **; H315. Source: EU CLP Annex VI (ECHA).
Toluene has 62 NOAEL studies in the database. The lowest reported value is 0.02 %/sec via Ocular. Source: NTP ICE eye irritation.
Toluene appears on 23 regulatory/inventory lists including Cleaning products and household care - shoes; Europe, Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies - arts and crafts paint; detected; Europe, air; Cleaning products and household care - air freshener; detected; emissions; Europe, and 20 more. Source: EPA CPDat.
Toluene is classified by IARC as Group 3 — not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (evaluated 1998). Source: IARC Monographs on the Identification of Carcinogenic Hazards to Humans.
Yes, Toluene is listed under California Proposition 65 for developmental. Source: California OEHHA Proposition 65.
Occupational exposure limits for Toluene are set by OSHA, NIOSH, ACGIH. 12 limit values from official agencies are documented in the database. Source: OSHA, NIOSH, ACGIH.
Yes, Toluene is also indexed as a cosmetic ingredient under the name Toluene Cosmetic. View the full cosmetic safety profile on the ingredient page for detailed safety data, SCCS opinions, and regulatory status.
Safety data is sourced from ECHA CLP Annex VI, EPA ToxValDB, EPA CPDat, AICIS (Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme), EPA DSSTox, IARC Monographs, ECHA REACH, California Proposition 65, ILO/WHO ICSC, OSHA/NIOSH/ACGIH, EPA Toxics Release Inventory, CosIng / Ingredients DB, ChEMBL / DailyMed, EFSA / FDA GRAS, cannabis regulatory/lab databases. All data traces to primary regulatory sources and is updated from official government databases.
Toluene is classified GHS Danger (H225, H361d, H304, H336, H373, H315) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics.
Toluene also appears in cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food safety, cannabis databases.