m-Xylene

RTECS #
ZE2275000
CAS #
108-38-3
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
March 2019
Molecular Weight
106.18
Molecular Formula
C8H10
Synonyms
1,3-Dimethylbenzene
1,3-Xylene
Benzene, 1,3-dimethyl- (9CI)
m-Dimethylbenzene
m-Methyltoluene
m-Xylene (ACGIH:OSHA)
m-Xylol

Skin and Eye Irritation and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
eye /rabbit 5 mg/24H severe85JCAE -,30,1986
skin /rabbit 10 µg/24H open irritation test severeAIHAAP 23,95,1962
skin /rabbit 20 mg/24H moderate85JCAE -,30,1986
skin /rat 100%/1HTOXID9 72,379,2003

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
DNA Damagefibroblast/human0.34 mmol/L/1HTOLED5 147,35,2004

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/rat 3000 mg/m3/24H (7-14D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Pre- implantation mortality (e.g., reduction in number of implants per female; total number of implants per corpora lutea)

Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system
TXCYAC 18,61,1980
inhalation/mouse 500 mg/m3/12H (6-15D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system
ATSUDG 8,425,1985
inhalation/rabbit 500 mg/m3/24H (7-20D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)

Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetal death
ATSUDG 8,425,1985
oral/mouse 12 mg/kg (12-15D pregnant)Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Craniofacial (including nose and tongue)APTOD9 19,A22,1980
oral/mouse 30 mg/kg (6-15D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Litter size (e.g., # fetuses per litter; measured before birth)APTOD9 19,A22,1980

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
In Vitro/iagInhibitor Concentration Low: 0.8 mmol/LIn Vitro Toxicity Studies: Other assaysNRTXDN 55,74,2016
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 50 ppm/2HBrain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Liver: Other changes

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other
TOXID9 60,428,2001
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) lowest published toxic concentration: 300 ppmLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Blood: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Cytochrome oxidases (indlucing oxidative phosphrylation)
TOXID9 66,97,2002
inhalation/man lowest published toxic concentration: 424 mg/m3/6H/6DBehavioral: Change in motor activity (specific assay)TOLED5 1000(Sp Iss 1),74,1980
inhalation/man lowest published toxic concentration: 870 mg/m3/4H- intermittentBehavioral: Ataxia

Behavioral: Irritability
ATSUDG 7,412,1984
inhalation/mouse Lowest published lethal concentration: 2010 ppm/24HJPBAA7 46,95,1938
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 5267 ppm/6HVCVGH* -,159,1990
inhalation/rat Lowest published lethal concentration: 8000 ppm/4HAIHAAP 23,95,1962
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic dose: 100 ppm/6HOlfaction: Other olfaction effects

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Cytochrome oxidases (indlucing oxidative phosphrylation)
INHTE5 16,125,2004
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic dose: 300 ppm/6HBiochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Multiple enzyme effectsINHTE5 16,125,2004
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 100 ppm/6HOlfaction: Other olfaction effects

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Cytochrome oxidases (indlucing oxidative phosphrylation)
INHTE5 16,125,2004
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 300 ppm/6HBiochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Multiple enzyme effectsINHTE5 16,125,2004
intraperitoneal/mammal (species unspecified) lowest published lethal dose: 2 gm/kgJPBAA7 46,95,1938
intraperitoneal/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2003 µL/kgARTODN 58,106,1985
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4988 mg/kgVCVGH* -,160,1990
skin/guinea pig lowest published toxic dose: 500 µL/kg/1HSkin: After topical application: Primary irritationTOXID9 1,59,2001
skin/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 14100 µL/kgAIHAAP 23,95,1962
skin/rat lowest published toxic dose: 0.92 mL/kgSkin: After topical application: Primary irritation

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other proteins
ARTODN 79,294,2005
skin/rat lowest published toxic dose: 1250 µL/kg/1HSkin: After topical application: Primary irritationTOXID9 1,59,2001
skin/rat lowest published toxic dose: 8 mg/kgSkin: After systemic exposure: Dermatitis, irritative

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation
TXCYAC 255,100,2009
subcutaneous/mammal (species unspecified) lowest published lethal dose: 5 gm/kgJPBAA7 46,95,1938

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 400 ppm/6H/2W- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other enzymes
ARTODN 45,117,1980
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 100 ppm/6H/20D- intermittentBehavioral: Analgesia

Behavioral: Alteration of operant conditioning

Behavioral: Alteration of classical conditioning
NRTXDN 22,79,2001
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 1000 ppm/6H/8D- intermittentNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain

Behavioral: Food intake (animal)
FCTOD7 41,415,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 10 gm/kg/4W- intermittentNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gainTIHEEC 1(3),67,1985
skin/rat lowest published toxic dose: 0.96 mL/kg/4D- intermittentSkin: After topical application: Primary irritation

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other proteins
ARTODN 79,294,2005

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 100 ppm;short term exposure limit 150 ppmDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-Not classifiable as a human carcinogenDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Animal Inadequate EvidenceIMEMDT 71,1189,1999
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Human Inadequate EvidenceIMEMDT 71,1189,1999
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Group 3IMEMDT 71,1189,1999
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 47,75,1978
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOLED5 127,111,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENTOX* -,470,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNETEEC 52,68,2015
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWRTOPDW 60,120,2011

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 100 ppm (440 mg/m3) (skin)DTLVS* 3,281,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 80 ppm (350 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 150 ppm (655 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 50 ppm (221 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMshort term exposure limit 100 ppm (442 mg/m3), Skin, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 25 ppm (109 mg/m3), skin, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-ECtime-weighted average 221 mg/m3 (50 ppm);short term exposure limit 442 mg/m3 (100 ppm), skin, JUN2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 50 ppm (220 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 100 ppm (440 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 50 ppm (221 mg/m3), VLE 100 ppm (442 mg/m3), Skin, FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 221 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 442 mg/m3, Skin, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 25 ppm (109 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 100 ppm (442 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPANOccupational Exposure Limit 50 ppm (217 mg/m3), MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 100 ppm (435 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 150 ppm (655 mg/m3), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 50 ppm (217 mg/m3), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 25 ppm (108 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 100 ppm (434 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 150 ppm (651 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 50 ppm (200 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 100 ppm (450 mg/m3), Skin, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 100 ppm (435 mg/m3), KZG-week 200 ppm (870 mg/m3), skin, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 50 ppm (220 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 100 ppm (441 mg/m3), skin, OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (435 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (435 mg/m3)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (435 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (435 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO m-XYLENE-air10H time-weighted average 100 ppm;short term exposure limit 150 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code M1027; Number of Industries 33; Total Number of Facilities 4113; Number of Occupations 36; Total Number of Employees Exposed 39864; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 7449
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code M1027; Number of Industries 5; Total Number of Facilities 96; Number of Occupations 21; Total Number of Employees Exposed 4621

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA TSCA 8(a) PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT INFORMATION, FINAL RULEFEREAC 47,26992,82
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
OSHA ANALYTICAL METHOD #1002
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018