What it is
An aromatic hydrocarbon solvent derived from petroleum and coal tar.
What it does
Solvent in nail polish, paint thinners, and some adhesives.
Why it’s a concern
Well-documented neurotoxin at occupational exposures; chronic inhalation causes cognitive impairment and hearing loss (NIOSH and ATSDR reviews). Pregnancy exposure associated with fetal solvent syndrome. Largely removed from reformulated “5-free” and “10-free” nail polishes.
Also known as
methylbenzenetoluolphenylmethane
CAS numbers
108-88-3
Commonly found in
nail polishpaint thinneradhesives
Safer alternatives
- water-based nail polish
- 3-free or 10-free polish
Related chemical families
Sources
- ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Toluene