Toluene

Toluene in plain language

What it is

Also known as Antisal 1A · Methacide · 1-Methylbenzene · Benzene, methyl- · Caswell No. 859 · Methyl benzene

Show all 26 names

Methane, phenyl- · Methylbenzene · Methylbenzol · NCI-C07272 · Phenylmethane · RCRA waste number U220 · Toluol · Tolueen · Toluen · Tolueno · Toluolo · Toulene · monomethyl benzene · phenyl methane · tolu-sol · toluene (sara 313) (cercla)(vp = 22 @ 68f) · toluene (sara 313) (vp: 22 mmgh @ 68f) · toluene (sara iii) · toluene (sara iii) (cercla) (vapor pressure 22 mm hg @ 68f) · toluene (sara iii) (vapor pressure 22 mm hg @ 68f)

What it does

Used in cosmetics as an antioxidant and a solvent.

• Antioxidant
• Solvent
• Cleaning agent

Is it a concern?

High concern: classified for carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive toxicity (CMR). It is restricted in EU cosmetics.

Why it's flagged

• Cmr

Toluene is restricted in cosmetic products under Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.

RestrictedEU EC — restricted

The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.

• In marketed US drugs
• EU Annex III — restricted
• EU restricted in cosmetics

• EU·EC

  Annex III of EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009: substances which cosmetic products must not contain except subject to the restrictions laid down. Product types: Nail products Maximum concentration: 25% Conditions of use and warnings: Keep out of reach of children. To be used by adults only CMR: Reprotoxic Cat. 2()

  restricted
  View source →

• EU·CosIng·Active2 entries

  • Restriction: III/185Source →
  • Cosmetics Regulation annex III / ref 185.Source →
• US·EPA·commercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 21085 composition records across product categories including Furniture and furnishings, Raw materials, Construction and building materials. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Solvent, Antioxidant, Propellants, non-motive (blowing agents).

  • EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 21085 composition records across product categories including Furniture and furnishings, Raw materials, Construction and building materials. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Solvent, Antioxidant, Propellants, non-motive (blowing agents).Source →
• US·FDA·marketed drug occurrenceFDA NDC lists this ingredient in 3 active drug products and 5 total products.

  • FDA NDC lists this ingredient in 3 active drug products and 5 total products.Source →
• US·FDA·listed in openFDA substanceopenFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.

  • openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.Source →

Expert safety opinions

No expert opinion on file for Toluene. These are the independent scientific bodies that assess ingredients like this one; we show an opinion only when a record we hold cites it.

• SCCS

  EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety

  No SCCS opinion on file.

• CIR

  Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US expert panel)

  No CIR safety assessment on file.