Toluene Odour Detectors in Perth & Australia | The Dangers of Toluene Exposure

Toluene is a clear, colourless liquid which becomes a vapour when exposed to air at room temperature. Toluene vapour has a sharp or sweet odour which is a sign of exposure. Products that may contain toluene include paint, metal cleaners and adhesives, petrol and other fuels, varnishes, shellac, nail polish, glues, printing inks and much more.

People can be exposed to toluene by breathing it in, getting it on their skin, getting it splashed into their eyes or swallowing it. These types of exposures may make workers immediately sick or cause adverse health effects over time. High levels of toluene exposure have been found  in nail salons, printing establishments, auto repair places such as panel and paint shops and construction buildings.

Toluene is used in;

• Fingernail polish
• Glues and adhesives
• Lacquers
• Octane booster in gasoline
• Paints
• Paint thinners
• Printing
• Leather tanning processes
• Rubber and plastic cements
• Wood stains

Without proper ventilation and safety precautions, toluene can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, dry or cracked skin, headaches, dizziness, feeling of being drunk, confusion and anxiety, shortness of breath. Symptoms worsen as  exposure increases such as tiredness, slow reaction, difficulty sleeping, numbness in the hands and/or feet or potentially damaging the female reproductive system and pregnancy loss. If swallowed, toluene can cause liver and kidney damage.

Toluene can affect various body parts and casue a variety of other symptoms including;