toluene - National Park Service

In 1978, air emissions associated with gasoline use were estimated
to be 1.5 billion pounds (6.8x10 5 metric tons), the bulk of this
(6.4x10 5 metric tons) was released through automobile exhaust
[904]. Toluene used in paints, solvents, adhesives, inks and
similar products also escapes to air upon use [904]. The total
release from these sources not associated with gasoline was
estimated to be about 3.7x10 5 metric tons in 1978 [904].
Toluene may also be released during disposal processes [904].
Based on information from 40 medical waste incinerators in the
United States and Canada, emission factors for toluene were
reported to range from 37.3 to 178 (mean=113) ug/kg waste for
uncontrolled emissions and 177-3,000 (mean=1,920) ug/kg waste for
controlled emissions [904]. Toluene emissions from coal- fired
power stations (119 ug/Nm3 ) were reported to be far less than
toluene emissions from diesel engines (167-287 ug/Nm3 ) and
automobiles (15,700-370,000 ug/Nm3 ) [904]. An estimated 282
million pounds (1.3x10 5 metric tons) of toluene were discharged
to the air amounting to 99% of the total environmental release
from manufacturing and processing facilities in the United States
in 1990 [904]. The TRI data should be used with caution since only
certain types of facilities are required to report [904].
Major Uses [609]:
In manufacture benzoic acid, benzaldehyde, explosives,
dyes, and many other organic compounds; as a solvent for
paints, lacquers, gums, resins, in the extraction of
various principles from plants; as gasoline additive.
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of
Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and
Co., Inc., 1989. 1501
DILUENT FOR PHOTOGRAVURE INKS [International Labour
Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety.
Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour
Office, 1983. 2184
IN FABRIC & PAPER COATING, MFR ARTIFICIAL LEATHER
[Browning, E. Toxicity and Metabolism of Industrial
Solvents. New York: American Elsevier, 1965. 67
Used in cements, solvents, spot removers, cosmetics,
antifreezes, and inks. [Gleason MN; Chem Tox of Comm
Prod, 3rd Ed, 1969 as cited in USEPA; Health Assessment
Document: Toluene (Draft) (1982) EPA-600/8-82-008
Asphalt and naphtha constituent. Detergent manufacture.
[USEPA. Identification of Organic Cmpds in Effluents from
Industrial Sources, (1975) EPA 560/3-75-002
Mfg caprolactam, saccharin, medicines, and perfumes;
diluent and thinner in nitrocellulose lacquers, adhesive
solvent in plastic toys and model airplanes.
[Verschueren, K. Handbook of Environmental Data of