Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development
  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 12

Xylene-A Potential Health Hazard-A Review

  • Author:
  • Bhaskaran Sathyapriya1, Govindarajan Sumathy2,, Balasubramanian Chandrakala3, Jinu Merlin Koshy4, Jayamathi Govindaraj5, Kesavaram Padmavathy6
  • Total Page Count: 5
  • Page Number: 2251 to 2255

1Professor & Head, Department of Anatomy, Sree Balaji Dental College & Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

2Professor, Department of Anatomy, Sree Balaji Dental College & Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

3Senior Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, Sree Balaji Dental College & Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

4Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Sree Balaji Dental College & Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

5Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Sree Balaji Dental College & Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

6Professor, Department of Microbiology, Sree Balaji Dental College & Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

*Corresponding Author: Govindarajan Sumathy Professor & Head, Department of Anatomy, Sree Balaji Dental College & Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Online published on 4 April, 2020.

Abstract

Xylene is a colorless liquid with the molecular formula C8H10. A flammable, non-explosive aromatic hydrocarbon, xylene consists of a benzene ring with two attached methyl groups. Xylene occurs naturally in petroleum and small amounts occur in gasoline and jet fuel. It is used in paints, inks, glues and other products. The population at large is expected to be exposed primarily to mixed xylenes, rather than to any of the xylene isomers individually. The general population can be exposed to xylene via inhalation of indoor and workplace air, automobile exhaust, tobacco smoke, xylene-containing solvents, ingestion of contaminated drinking water, and dermal absorption of xylene containing products. Xylene is released primarily from industrial sources. The existence of hazards in the workplace has raised concerns about the potential of these substances for adverse effects.

Keywords

Xylene, Dyspnoea, Occupational