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XYLENE (PARA AND/OR META)


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Health concerns of ingredient
About the ratings
Canceryes
Developmental & reproductive toxicityyes
Allergies & immunotoxicityyes
Contamination concerns: none
Other HIGH concerns: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards
Other MODERATE concerns: Neurotoxicity
Other LOW concerns: Data gaps

About the ratings

EWG provides information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. The ratings below indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors which determine actual health risks, if any. Learn more | Legal Disclaimer

Synonym(s): 1,4-DIMETHYLBENZENE; 1,4-XYLENE; CHROMAR; P-DIMETHYLBENZENE; P-METHYLTOLUENE; P-XYLENE (ACGIH:OSHA) ; P-XYLOL; SCINTILLAR

Neurotoxicity

Type of Concern Reference
Strong evidence of human neurotoxicityChemicals known to be neurotoxic to humans
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Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

Type of Concern Reference
Known human respiratory toxicantEPA Hazardous Air Pollutants
Possible human sense organ toxicantCHE Toxicant and Disease Database
Possible human musculoskeletal toxicantCHE Toxicant and Disease Database
Possible human cardiovascular toxicantCHE Toxicant and Disease Database
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Developmental/reproductive toxicity

Type of Concern Reference
Human developmental toxicant - moderate evidenceCHE Toxicant and Disease Database
Human reproductive toxicant - moderate evidenceCHE Toxicant and Disease Database
Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidenceCHE Toxicant and Disease Database
Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidenceChemicals known to be neurotoxic to humans
Limited evidence of reproductive toxicityNational Library of Medicine HazMap
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Allergies/immunotoxicity

Type of Concern Reference
Limited evidence of immune system toxicitynternational Programme of Chemical Safety Environmental Health Criteria 180, 1996

Cancer

Type of Concern Reference
Cancer - limited evidenceCHE Toxicant and Disease Database

Occupational hazards

Type of Concern Reference
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low dosesEuropean Union - Classification & Labelling

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

Type of Concern Reference
Classified as irritantEuropean Union - Classification & Labelling

Data gaps

Type of Concern Reference
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel
137 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results -> PubMed

Miscellaneous

Type of Concern Reference
Occupational hazards related to handling European Union - Classification & Labelling

Persistence and bioaccumulation

Type of Concern Reference
Not suspected to be persistentEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
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Ecotoxicology

Type of Concern Reference
Not suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
government/industry list/academic study appears on list as classification(s)
European Union - Classification & LabellingO-XYLENE; [1] ; P-XYLENE; [2] ; M-XYLENE; [3] ; XYLENE [4]R10; Xn; R20/21; Xi; R38
CHE Toxicant and Disease DatabaseXYLENEAcute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis) - Limited
CHE Toxicant and Disease DatabaseXYLENEArrhythmias - Good
CHE Toxicant and Disease DatabaseXYLENEBrain cancer (adult)* - Limited
CHE Toxicant and Disease DatabaseXYLENECognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span)/Mental Retardation/Developmental Delay - Good
CHE Toxicant and Disease DatabaseXYLENEColo-rectal cancer - Limited
CHE Toxicant and Disease DatabaseXYLENEDelayed growth - Limited
CHE Toxicant and Disease DatabaseXYLENEFetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion, stillbirth) - Good
CHE Toxicant and Disease DatabaseXYLENEHearing loss - Good
CHE Toxicant and Disease DatabaseXYLENEHormonal changes (levels of circulating sex hormones - FSH/LH, Inhibin, and/or estrogens, progesterones, androgens) - Good
CHE Toxicant and Disease DatabaseXYLENEMenstrual disorders (abnormal bleeding, short cycles, long cycles, irregular cycles, painful periods) - Good
CHE Toxicant and Disease DatabaseXYLENEPeripheral neuropathy - Limited
CHE Toxicant and Disease DatabaseXYLENEScleroderma - Good
CHE Toxicant and Disease DatabaseXYLENEStomach cancer - Limited
Environment Canada Domestic Substance ListBENZENE, 1,4-DIMETHYL-,,,,,,,,,
EPA Hazardous Air PollutantsP-XYLENESHazardous Air Pollutant
National Library of Medicine HazMapXYLENE ISOMERSSD: No;RT: Yes;HE: Hepatotoxin, Secondary;NT: CNS Solvent Syndrome;PE: 100 ppm;ST: 150 ppm;RD: 1467 ppm;LC: 16000 ppm;TL: 100 ppm;BE: Methylhippuric acids in urine = 1.5 g/g creatinine; end of shift;;FL: 3: may ignite at ambient temperature;ID: 900 ppm;O
EPA Categorized List of Inert Pesticide IngredientsXYLENEList 2 Inert
Chemicals known to be neurotoxic to humansXYLENEknown to be neurotoxic to humans
EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs1,4DIMETHYLBENZENEToxic under the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory
US EPA, Air Risk Information Support CenterP-XYLENEGastrointestinal or Liver Toxicity Hazards: suspected
US EPA, Air Risk Information Support CenterP-XYLENEKidney Toxicity Hazards: suspected
US EPA, Air Risk Information Support CenterP-XYLENESkin or Sense Organ Toxicity Hazards: suspected
US EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center, 1991P-XYLENERespiratory Toxicity Hazards: suspected
US EPA, Air Risk Information Support CenterP-XYLENECardiovascular or Blood Toxicity Hazards: suspected
US EPA, 9204P-XYLENEReproductive Toxicity Hazards: suspected
US EPA, 9204P-XYLENEDevelopmental Toxicity Hazards: suspected
nternational Programme of Chemical Safety Environmental Health Criteria 180, 1996P-XYLENEImmunotoxicity Hazards: suspected

references
government/industry list/academic study reference
European Union - Classification & LabellingCPS&Q (Consumer Products Safety & Quality) formely known as ECB (European Chemicals Bureau). 2008. Classification and Labelling: Chemicals: Annex VI of Directive 67/548/EEC through the 31st ATP.
CHE Toxicant and Disease DatabaseCHE (The Collaborative on Health and the Environment). 2006. Toxicant and Disease Database.
Environment Canada Domestic Substance ListEC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
EPA Hazardous Air PollutantsEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2005. Office of Air. The 112(b)1 Hazardous Air Pollutants List (as modified). Last modified: 12 Dec 2005.
National Library of Medicine HazMapNLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents.
EPA Categorized List of Inert Pesticide IngredientsEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1987 & 2005. Office of Pesticide Programs. Inert (other) Pesticide Ingredients in Pesticide Products - Categorized List of Inert (other) Pesticide Ingredients.
Chemicals known to be neurotoxic to humansGrandjean P and PJ Landrigan. 2006. Developmental neurotoxicity of industrial chemicals. Lancet. 2006 Dec 16;368(9553):2167-78.
EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTsEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1999. Toxics Release Inventory Program. PBT Chemical Rule.
Scorecard.org Toxicity InformationUS EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center. Health Effects Notebook for Hazardous Air Pollutants. http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/hapindex.html
Scorecard.org Toxicity InformationUS EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center. Health Effects Notebook for Hazardous Air Pollutants. http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/hapindex.html
Scorecard.org Toxicity InformationUS EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center. Health Effects Notebook for Hazardous Air Pollutants. http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/hapindex.html
Scorecard.org Toxicity InformationUS EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center. Health Effects Notebook for Hazardous Air Pollutants. http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/hapindex.html, Lu, F.C. Basic Toxicology. 2nd Edition. 1991., California EPA, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Risk Assessment Guidelines, Part III: Technical Support Document 'Determination of Noncancer Chronic Reference Exposure Levels'. Includes all Chronic Reference Exposure Levels (CRELs) adopted by OEHHA as of August 2003 (http://www.oehha.ca.gov/air/chronic_rels/AllChrels.html, plus draft CRELS proposed through March 2004 (http://www.oehha.ca.gov/air/chronic_rels/index.html., National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances. See Environmental Defense's Suspect Hazard Identification documentation.
Scorecard.org Toxicity InformationUS EPA, Air Risk Information Support Center. Health Effects Notebook for Hazardous Air Pollutants. http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/hapindex.html, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances. See Environmental Defense's Suspect Hazard Identification documentation.
Scorecard.org Toxicity InformationUS EPA. Roadmaps to Sources of Information on Chemicals Listed in the Emergency Planning Community and Community Right-to-Know Act (Also Known as SARA Title 3), Section 313 Toxic Release Inventory (for Microcomputers). (Report Number EPADFDK92040). 1991. Data file distributed in 2 diskettes by Office of Pollution, Prevention, and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. NOTE: Datasource no longer being maintained by EPA; not currently available online.
Scorecard.org Toxicity InformationUS EPA. Roadmaps to Sources of Information on Chemicals Listed in the Emergency Planning Community and Community Right-to-Know Act (Also Known as SARA Title 3), Section 313 Toxic Release Inventory (for Microcomputers). (Report Number EPADFDK92040). 1991. Data file distributed in 2 diskettes by Office of Pollution, Prevention, and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. NOTE: Datasource no longer being maintained by EPA; not currently available online., Jankovic, J. A Screening Method for Occupational Reproductive Health Risk. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal. 57: 641-649. 1996.
Scorecard.org Toxicity Informationnternational Programme of Chemical Safety Environmental Health Criteria 180. Principles and Methods for Assessing Direct Immunotoxicity Associated with Exposure to Chemicals. World Health Organization. Geneva, 1996. (Table 1: Examples of compounds that are immunotoxic for humans or rodents).

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