Toluene is a solvent commonly used in paint,
plastics, and printing as well as other chemical
industries.2 There is a well documented dose dependent
relation in humans between the concentration of
toluene in inhaled air and that in blood.3 It has also
long been known that a strong correlation in humans
exists between the toxicity of toluene and the concentration
oftoluene in inhaled air. The acute neurotoxic
effects of toluene increased in severity from mild
headache at low doses (50 ppm) to muscular weakness,
nausea, and impaired coordination at higher
doses (100-200 ppm).4 Furthermore, reduced perceptual
speed, as well as prolonged reaction time,
were seen at an exposure level of 300 ppm5 but not at
80 ppm.6