Are xylene fumes harmful?

Exposure to xylene can irritate the eyes, nose, skin, and throat. Xylene can also cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, loss of muscle coordination, and in high doses, death. Workers may be harmed from exposure to xylene.

What happens if you smell xylene?

The main effect of inhaling xylene vapor is depression of the central nervous system, with symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

Can you smell xylene?

When pure, xylene is a clear, colorless liquid with a sweet odor.

Is xylene a carcinogen?

Both the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and EPA have found that there is insufficient information to determine whether or not xylene is carcinogenic and consider xylene not classifiable as to its human carcinogenicity.

How do you get rid of xylene smell?

Submerge the xylene-coated object in the water, and allow it to boil for as long as possible, at least one hour and up to four hours. Allow the object to air dry overnight in a warm area. The hot water followed by exposure to warm air will help to eliminate xylene from the surface.

How can I safely use xylene?

Personal Precautions: Keep unnecessary and unprotected personnel out of spill area. Eliminate all ignition sources. Use grounded, explosion-proof equipment. Methods for Containment and Clean-up: Small spills or leaks: contain and soak up spill with absorbent that does not react with spilled product.

Is it bad to smell concrete sealer?

Concrete sealers also contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are emitted from liquid chemicals. Water based concrete sealers contain less VOC’s than solvent based sealers. VOC’s can be dangerous, have strong odors and result in adverse health effects.

Does water based sealer smell?

In their most basic form, sealers are a combination of a solid and a liquid. When applied to the floor, the liquid evaporates and the solid remains and forms a protective film. It’s the evaporating liquid that’s the smelly culprit. Depending on the type of liquid evaporating, the odor will vary greatly.

Is xylene toxic to dogs?

These simple compounds can be poisonous to dogs if consumed, namely the refined petroleum products. Refined petroleum products are the aliphatic hydrocarbons which include butane, gasoline, methane, and propane, and aromatic hydrocarbons which include xylene, toluene, and benzene.

Is the smell of cement toxic?

Inhaling high levels of dust may occur when workers empty bags of cement. Sanding, grinding, or cutting concrete can also release large amounts of dust containing high levels of crystalline silica. Prolonged or repeated exposure can lead to a disabling and often fatal lung disease called silicosis.

How long does concrete sealer take to stop smelling?

Silicate concrete sealers will appear to have dried in as little as 30 minutes, but they will continue to react below the surface for up to 90 days. Typically you can walk on concrete sealed with a silicate sealer in as little as a few hours.