If I’m not mistaken there have been quite a few deaths of folks in the industry possibly related to toxic exposure to chemicals we frequently use. How many of us actually pay any attention to the warning labels? In California, they’re everywhere!
Seriously - some of this stuff is pretty gnarly. Xylene isn’t necessarily the worst and according to this, any side effects are reversible, but…
From Wiki:
Health and safety[edit]
Xylene is flammable but of modest acute toxicity, with LD50 ranges from 200 to 5000 mg/kg for animals. Oral LD50 for rats is 4300 mg/kg.[18] The principal mechanism of detoxification is oxidation to methylbenzoic acidand hydroxylation to hydroxylene.[1]
The main effect of inhaling xylene vapor is depression of the central nervous system (CNS), with symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. At an exposure of 100 ppm, one may experience nausea or a headache. At an exposure between 200–500 ppm, symptoms can include feeling “high”, dizziness, weakness, irritability, vomiting, and slowed reaction time.[19][20]
The side effects of exposure to low concentrations of xylene (< 200 ppm) are reversible and do not cause permanent damage. Long-term exposure may lead to headaches, irritability, depression, insomnia, agitation, extreme tiredness, tremors, hearing loss, impaired concentration and short-term memory.[1][clarification needed] A condition called Chronic solvent-induced encephalopathy, commonly known as “organic solvent syndrome” has been associated with xylene exposure. There is very little information available that isolates xylene from other solvent exposures in the examination of these effects.[19]
Hearing disorders have been also linked to xylene exposure, both from studies with experimental animals,[21][22] as well as clinical studies.[23][24][25]
Xylene is also a skin irritant and strips the skin of its oils, making it more permeable to other chemicals. The use of impervious gloves and masks, along with respirators where appropriate, is recommended to avoid occupational health issues from xylene exposure.[19]