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Xylene Research Paper

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Xylene
Xylene is an aromatic hydrocarbon that can be found naturally in petroleum and coal tar as 3 isomers: ortho-xylene (1,2 dimethylbenzene), meta-xylene (1,3, dimethylbenzene) and para-xylene (1,4 dimethylbenzene). Xylene is used both as a mixture, where it is referred to as xylenes or xylol, and as individual isomers. Because their boiling points are close, separation using distillation is difficult. Therefore, isomers are separated using techniques such as recrystallization and adsorption.
Xylenes are flammable, colorless liquids with a sweet odor. They evaporate and burn very easily. Xylene does not mix well with water; however, it does mix with alcohol and many other chemicals. Xylene was first isolated from coal tar in the mid-19th …show more content…

It is primarily metabolized in the liver by oxidation of a methyl group and conjugation with glycine to yield methyl hippuric acid, which is excreted in the urine. Smaller amounts are eliminated unchanged in the exhaled air. There is a low potential for accumulation. Xylene causes health effects from both acute (< 14 days) and also chronic (>365 days) exposure. The type and severity of health effects depends on several factors, including the amount of chemical you are exposed to and the length of time you are exposed for. Individuals also react differently to different levels of …show more content…

However, there is no evidence that repeated, low-level exposure has any long-term effects on the lung. At very high levels of exposure, xylene can injure the liver and kidneys, but this is extremely unlikely to happen without noticeable effects on the nervous system. Generally, such damage is reversible. Low-level occupational exposure does not affect the liver and the kidneys. There is no evidence that exposure to xylene affects the blood cells in humans. Workers exposed to xylenes (TWA 14 ppm) reported reduced grasping power and reduced muscle power in the extremities more frequently than the unexposed controls. This is due to the neurological effect rather than a direct effect on the muscles.
Xylene, like other organic solvents, can dissolve the skin's natural protective oils. Frequent or prolonged skin contact can cause irritation and dermatitis, dryness, flaking and cracking of the skin. Damaged skin may allow greater absorption of chemicals. Xylene easily penetrates most ordinary clothing and can become trapped in ordinary gloves and boots. Xylene trapped in the clothing can cause burns and

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