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What is Xylene?

Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Xylene, also called xylol, dimethyl benzene, Violet 3, and methyl toluene, is an isomer that can be found in three forms. It is traditionally used in the leather, rubber, and paint industries, particularly as a solvent, a cleaning agent, and a paint thinner. Since it naturally occurs in petroleum, it is not surprising that it is also found in gasoline and jet fuel. It may also be considered a narcotic-type of drug, as it may be an intoxicant if it is inhaled.

Xylene is a highly-flammable, colorless liquid. Typically, it smells sweet, with a scent that is similar to balsam. It is usually refined through an alkylation process from crude oil, but it can also be made as a by-product from coal carbonization, extracted from benzole, or through the methylation of toluene.

Paint thinner containing xylene.
Paint thinner containing xylene.

There are many ways that xylene may be used. For example, it is sometimes used in making some polyester clothes and plastic bottles. In fact, nearly 50 percent of the xylene produced is used to produce polymers used in plastics and polyester. It is also used as a solvent in the paint and rubber industries. Some steel cleaning agents contain it as well.

Xylene is released in cigarette smoke.
Xylene is released in cigarette smoke.

If xylene is released into the environment, it will evaporate rather rapidly from the surface water and soil into the air. Within the earth’s air, the sunlight typically breaks it down into less harsh chemicals, but the process may take several days. In soil, it can be broken down by select micro-organisms. If water is contaminated with the chemical, it may build up in shellfish, fish, plants, and other marine life.

Xylene is found in gasoline, rubber and leather.
Xylene is found in gasoline, rubber and leather.

It is possible for people to be exposed to xylene. Since consumer products, such as gasoline, rust preventatives, paint varnish, and even cigarette smoke, contain xylene, it is possible for the chemical to be absorbed through a consumer’s skin or through the lungs when these products are used. If a food or water source is contaminated with chemical, it is possible to have exposure as well. In fact, many people are exposed through soil that is contaminated by leaking petroleum storage tanks located underground. Also, people who work in the chemical industry may also be exposed.

Xylene can cause eye irritation.
Xylene can cause eye irritation.

There are damaging health effects for people exposed to xylene. Neurological effects may be experienced, such as headaches, dizziness, lack of coordination, and confusion. The eyes may also become irritated and some people may have problems breathing, a slow reaction time, and memory failure. If a person inhales a high level of the chemical, it may cause death. It is considered a narcotic, but it is not a controlled substance.

Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to AllTheScience.

Learn more...
Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to AllTheScience.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon981289

There are plenty of other, far less dangerous thinners and solvents which do not include xylene- why is this on the market?

My husband is suffering numerous effects due to his prior employer's use as a paint thinner -- touted as safe, and which many co-workers had been using to thin paint on their skin.

For that matter, plastics production need not rely on xylene either, since plant-based oils are safer, more environmentally friendly, and non-toxic-- from conception, to production, to retail. Screw all these crazy-toxic, environmentally damning chemicals!

Oh, and please stop with the disinformation, p.r. campaign in your previous posts.

anon355387

The group difference between benzene and toluene is?

anon324368

Make xylene a controlled substance? That's stupid.

anon285993

You need an I.D. to buy sudafed. Why not anything with xylene?

ceilingcat

It sounds like xylene is a fairly diverse chemical. It's in gasoline, paint thinner, varnish, but also in polyester clothes and plastic. Even though this chemical is harmful to people under the wrong circumstances, we sure use it for a lot of different things.

There's also the environmental concern to worry about too, so I'm hoping industries that make or use this chemical are highly regulated. After all, people can get sick from xylene in the soil, but it can also affect shellfish and the marine ecosystem.

indemnifyme

@Monika - I don't think there is any reason why xylene liquid should be a controlled substance. How would that even work, anyway? You'd have to show ID to buy paint thinner or varnish, and then only be able to buy a small amount? That just doesn't sound feasible to me.

Plus, there are a ton of other things you can get high off of from huffing, like glue and gasoline. But I don't see anyone clamoring to outlaw glue. Not to mention the fact that alcohol can also kill you, but that's still legal for anyone over 21!

I think in the case of xylene, people should take proper precautions, and parents should pay attention to their children's behavior.

Monika
This stuff sounds really dangerous! It's a narcotic, but it can also kill you, give you trouble breathing, and cause neurological problems. It sounds like it's really hard to maintain xylene safety if you're around this stuff all the time too, because you might start getting used to the smell or the health effects.

I definitely think this stuff should be a controlled substance. Most other narcotics are heavily controlled, but anyone can buy xylene in the form of paint thinner. I think this is really just asking for trouble.

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    • Paint thinner containing xylene.
      By: Coprid
      Paint thinner containing xylene.
    • Xylene is released in cigarette smoke.
      By: Николай Григорьев
      Xylene is released in cigarette smoke.
    • Xylene is found in gasoline, rubber and leather.
      By: molekuul.be
      Xylene is found in gasoline, rubber and leather.
    • Xylene can cause eye irritation.
      By: Kasi Lodrigue
      Xylene can cause eye irritation.
    • Exposure to xylene can cause headaches.
      By: jinga80
      Exposure to xylene can cause headaches.