• Does toluene meet any of the Canadian WHMIS hazard criteria?
• Is it classified by OSHA (U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration)?
• Does toluene meet the criteria for the European Union (EU) Classification and Labelling Information system?
• What risk and safety phrases are used by the EU Classification and Labelling Information System?

Does toluene meet any of the Canadian WHMIS hazard criteria?

Toluene meets the Canadian WHMIS criteria for class(es):

B2 - Flammable and combustible material - Flammable liquid

D2A - Poisonous and infectious material - Other effects - Very toxic (Teratogenicity/Embryotoxicity)

D2B - Poisonous and infectious material - Other effects -Toxic (Skin Irritation)

Is it classified by OSHA (U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration)?

Yes, toluene meets the criteria for hazardous material, as defined by 29 CFR 1910.1200.

Does toluene meet the criteria for the European Union (EU) Classification and Labelling Information system?

It meets the EU criteria for class(es):

Highly flammable. Highly flammable. [F;R11]

Toxic for Reproduction, Category 3. Possible risk of harm to the unborn child. [Repr.Cat.3;R63]

Harmful. Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation. Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed. [Xn;R48/20-65]

Irritant. Irritating to skin. [Xi;R38]

Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness. [R67]

What risk and safety phrases are used by the EU Classification and Labelling Information System?

EU RISK PHRASES :

Highly flammable. Irritating to skin. Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation. Possible risk of harm to the unborn child. Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed. Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness. [R:11-38-48/20-63-65-67]

EU SAFETY PHRASES : Keep out of reach of children.* Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves. If swallowed, do not induce vomiting: seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label. If swallowed seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label. [S:(2-)*36/37-62-46]

*This safety phrase can be omitted from the label when the substance or preparation is sold for industrial use only.

EU COMMENTS :

NOTES RELATED TO PREPARATIONS:

Preparations containing this substance must be classified as harmful with R65 (Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed) if they meet the EC criteria for aspiration (based on viscosity and surface tension).

Preparations containing this substance have to be assigned R67 (Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness) if they meet the EC criteria for volatile substances which cause clear signs of central nervous system depression and which are not already classified with respect to acute inhalation toxicity.

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Document last updated on December 5, 2008

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