He toluene It is a substance that is also known as methylbenzene . It is an aromatic type hydrocarbon that is produced from benzene . With toluene it can be manufactured TNT , dyes, detergents and aromatic products, among other items.
This substance can be found in the nature in trees of the genus Myroxylon and in the Raw oil . It can also be obtained through different industrial processes. Annually, about five million tons of toluene are produced.
In addition to the data we have released about the mentioned toluene, it is worth discovering others that are especially interesting such as these:
-It has the boiling point at 111º C.
-It does not have water solubility.
-Its flash point is at 4º C.
-The melting point it has is at -95º C.
-Among the safety measures that are necessary for people who are in contact with toluene are always wearing gloves and other protective clothing. In the same way, it is indicated that it is necessary to be away from children and that if, by accident, it is ingested, the person is immediately transferred to the nearest hospital.
Among its many uses, its use as a solvent in resins , adhesives and paints. Toluene, on the other hand, is included in fuels thanks to its anti-knock property. The substance also allows synthesizing the TNT that is used for the production of explosives.
It should be noted that toluene is stable when it is in normal conditions. his toxicity It is relatively low, at least if compared to substances such as benzene, for example.
Toluene, however, can cause nausea, memory problems, fatigue and confusion because it affects the nervous system . When the person ceases to be exposed to toluene, the symptoms tend to disappear. However, if an individual breathes a high concentration of toluene, he can lose consciousness and even die. In contact with the skin, toluene causes irritation and can even cause dermatitis .
If the aforementioned adverse consequences that it can have on health are important and significant, we must not forget that, in the case of pregnant women, toluene can cause serious damage to the fetus. Moreover, numerous studies have been carried out in this regard and they have made it clear that the mentioned element has been the cause not only of what have been spontaneous abortions but also of the birth of babies with certain problems or disorders.
That without ignoring either that is capable of creating serious lung problems, lack of coordination, cardiac disturbances, mental confusion, severe eye irritations and kidney damage.
It is important to mention that the smoke generated by tobacco has a minimum dose of toluene. It is possible to detect up to 5,000 chemical compounds in this smoke, including several that are carcinogenic.
