Toluene

Product Identifier

Toluene

Grade

Reagent

CAS Number

108-88-3

Chemical Formula

C7H8

Molecular Weight

92.14 g/mol

Manufacturer

Alliance Chemical
204 South Edmond Street, Taylor, TX 76574

Emergency Phone

Chemtel 1-800-255-3924 (24/7)

Synonyms

Methylbenzene; toluol; phenylmethane

Recommended Use

Industrial solvent for paints, coatings, adhesives and inks; chemical intermediate; cleaning.

Restrictions on Use

For industrial and professional use. Not for consumer or recreational use; intentional inhalation (solvent abuse) can be fatal. Pregnant workers: suspected of damaging the unborn child (H361d).

Classification

• Flammable liquids, Category 2
• Aspiration hazard, Category 1
• Skin corrosion/irritation, Category 2
• Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure, Category 3 (narcotic effects)
• Reproductive toxicity, Category 2
• Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure, Category 2
• Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard, Category 3 †

† GHS environmental hazard class; not adopted under OSHA HCS (29 CFR 1910.1200).

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Statements

• H225Highly flammable liquid and vapor
• H304May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways
• H315Causes skin irritation
• H336May cause drowsiness or dizziness
• H361dSuspected of damaging the unborn child
• H373May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
• H412Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Precautionary Statements

• P201Obtain special instructions before use.
• P202Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood.
• P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
• P233Keep container tightly closed.
• P240Ground and bond container and receiving equipment.
• P241Use explosion-proof electrical, ventilating, and lighting equipment.
• P242Use non-sparking tools.
• P243Take precautionary measures against static discharge.
• P260Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapors or spray.
• P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapors or spray.
• P264Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling.
• P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
• P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
• P273Avoid release to the environment.
• P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, and eye/face protection.
• P301+P310IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor.
• P302+P352IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water and soap.
• P303+P361+P353IF ON SKIN (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water or shower.
• P304+P340IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
• P308+P313IF exposed or concerned: Get medical advice or attention.
• P312Call a POISON CENTER or doctor if you feel unwell.
• P314Get medical advice or attention if you feel unwell.
• P321Specific treatment (see first-aid information on this label).
• P331Do NOT induce vomiting.
• P332+P313If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice or attention.
• P362Take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.
• P370+P378In case of fire: Use alcohol-resistant foam, CO2 or dry chemical powder to extinguish.
• P403+P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
• P403+P235Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
• P405Store locked up.
• P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national, and international regulations.

Classification, hazard (H) and precautionary (P) statements and pictograms per OSHA HCS 2024 (29 CFR 1910.1200, Appendices A–C), aligned with GHS Rev. 7.

Concentrations are nominal; lot-specific values appear on the Certificate of Analysis. Components not contributing to classification are omitted.

Eyes

Rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Seek medical attention immediately.

Skin

Immediately flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing. Wash with soap. Get medical attention immediately.

Inhalation

Move person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Get medical attention immediately.

Ingestion

Do Not Induce Vomiting! Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. If conscious, wash out mouth with water. Get medical attention immediately.

Most Important Symptoms and Effects

• Aspiration into the lungs, for example during vomiting, may cause chemical pneumonitis, which can be fatal.
• Skin contact causes irritation: redness, itching and pain; repeated contact may dry and crack the skin.
• Inhalation of vapors may cause drowsiness, dizziness, headache and nausea.

Immediate Medical Attention and Special Treatment

• Aspiration hazard: if swallowed, do not induce vomiting and get medical attention immediately. Note to physician: observe for chemical pneumonitis; protect the airway before any gastric procedure.

Suitable Extinguishing Media

Alcohol-resistant foam, CO2, dry chemical powder. Water spray may be used to cool fire-exposed containers.

Unsuitable Extinguishing Media

Do not use a solid water stream — may scatter and spread fire.

Specific Hazards Arising from the Chemical

Vapors are heavier than air and may form explosive mixtures with air; they can travel to a source of ignition and flash back. Containers may rupture when heated.

Protective Equipment

Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing.

Hazardous Combustion Products

Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide on combustion.

Personal Precautions

Use PPE as described in Section 8. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas.

Hazard-Specific Precautions

Eliminate all ignition sources. Use non-sparking tools and explosion-proof equipment; ground and bond containers during cleanup.

Environmental Precautions

Prevent leakage or spillage from entering drains, sewers, or waterways.

Containment & Cleanup

Absorb with inert material. Collect in appropriate waste container. Dispose per applicable regulations.

Safe Handling

Use with adequate ventilation. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Wash thoroughly after handling. Keep container closed when not in use.

Safe Storage

Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks, and open flame. Keep away from incompatible materials (see Section 10). Keep containers tightly closed. Ground and bond containers when transferring material.

Specific Storage Precautions

Keep containers tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated flammables area away from heat, sparks, open flame and direct sunlight. Store in a segregated flammables area, locked up, away from oxidizers, strong acids and bases. Keep opened containers carefully resealed and upright. Ground and bond containers when transferring.

Occupational Exposure Limits

Engineering Controls

Use adequate ventilation. Provide eyewash stations and quick-drench showers accessible to areas of use.

Eye/Face Protection

Wear chemical safety goggles or face shield.

Skin Protection

Wear chemical-resistant gloves and protective clothing.

Respiratory Protection

Use a NIOSH-approved respirator with organic vapor cartridges. For confined spaces or exposures above the OEL, use supplied-air respiratory protection.

Exposure limits sourced from NIOSH Pocket Guide, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1000 and ACGIH TLVs.

Appearance

Clear, mobile liquid

Odor

Sweet, aromatic (benzene-like) odor

Odor Threshold

1.7–2.9 ppm

pH

No data available

Melting Point / Freezing Point

-95 °C (-139 °F)

Boiling Point

110–111 °C (230–232 °F) at 760 mmHg

Flash Point

4 °C (39 °F), closed cup

Evaporation Rate

2.4 (n-butyl acetate = 1)

Flammability (solid, gas)

No data available

Upper/Lower Flammability or Explosive Limits

LEL 1.1% / UEL 7.1% (v/v in air)

Vapor Pressure

29 hPa (22 mmHg) at 20 °C

Vapor Density

3.1 (air = 1)

Relative Density

0.87 at 20 °C (water = 1)

Solubility

Practically insoluble in water (0.5 g/L at 20 °C)

Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water)

No data available

Auto-ignition Temperature

No data available

Decomposition Temperature

No data available

Viscosity

0.6 mPa·s at 20 °C

Particle Characteristics

Not applicable

Form

Liquid

Density

0.867 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float

Refractive Index

1.4919 - 1.4983

Values shown reflect product-specific canonical data. Lot-specific ranges may vary; see the Certificate of Analysis for the shipped lot.

Reactivity

Not reactive under normal conditions of use and storage.

Chemical Stability

Stable under recommended storage conditions.

Possibility of Hazardous Reactions

None under normal processing conditions.

Conditions to Avoid

Heat, sparks, open flame, static discharge and other ignition sources; use in confined, unventilated spaces.

Incompatible Materials

Strong oxidizing agents (nitric acid, peroxides, perchlorates); strong acids and strong bases; halogens and halogenated compounds.

Hazardous Decomposition Products

Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide on combustion.

See below for route-specific acute toxicity data.

Likely Routes of Exposure

Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion.

Symptoms

• Aspiration into the lungs, for example during vomiting, may cause chemical pneumonitis, which can be fatal.
• Skin contact causes irritation: redness, itching and pain; repeated contact may dry and crack the skin.
• Inhalation of vapors may cause drowsiness, dizziness, headache and nausea.

Delayed and Chronic Effects

• Reproductive toxicity: may damage or is suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
• Prolonged or repeated exposure may damage organs.
• Repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis (dry, cracked skin).

Carcinogen Classification

Aquatic Hazard

• H412Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Ecotoxicity

Algae ErC50: 12.5 mg/L (72 h, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata; cf. Scenedesmus subspicatus 48-h 125–160 mg/L)

Persistence & Degradability

Aerobic water half-life ~4 d

Bioaccumulative Potential

BCF 13 and 90 (measured in fish; low–moderate)

Mobility in Soil

Moderate–high mobility (Koc 37–178)

Dispose of contents/container in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Do not dispose of into drains or waterways.

EPA RCRA Waste Codes

U220 (discarded unused toluene, 40 CFR 261.33(f)); F005 (spent non-halogenated solvent, 40 CFR 261.31); D001 (ignitable).

If discarded, this material may be an ignitable hazardous waste (EPA RCRA D001, 40 CFR 261.21(a)(1): flash point below 60 °C; aqueous solutions with less than 24% alcohol by volume are excluded). The waste generator must make the final hazardous-waste determination.

US DOT (49 CFR)

UN Number

UN1294

Proper Shipping Name

Toluene

Hazard Class

3

Packing Group

II

Additional US DOT Requirements

A package containing 1,000 lb or more of toluene (about 138 gal, for example a 275-gal tote) is a hazardous substance: UN1294, Toluene, 3, II, RQ (Toluene). 55-gal drums are below the RQ. Not a marine pollutant.

IMDG / IATA classifications may differ from US DOT. Verify current regulations before international shipment.

CERCLA Reportable Quantity (RQ)

Toluene (CAS 108-88-3) 1,000 lb (454 kg), about 138 US gal. EPCRA Section 313 (TRI) listed, de minimis 1.0%.

SARA 311/312 hazard categories correspond to the GHS classification in Section 2. Data retrieved as of: California Proposition 65 2026-10-02; US EPA TSCA Active Inventory 2026-10-02; EPCRA SARA 313 (TRI) 2026-10-02.

Revision Date

2026-10-13

Format

16-section format per OSHA HCS 2024 (29 CFR 1910.1200, Appendix D), aligned with GHS Rev. 7.