Editing Toluene (section)

==Toxicology and metabolism==
{{main|Toluene toxicity}}
The environmental and toxicological effects of toluene have been extensively studied.<ref>{{Citation |vauthors=Hogan CM |year=2011 |chapter-url=http://www.eoearth.org/article/Sulfur?topic=49557 |chapter=Sulfur |title=Encyclopedia of Earth |veditors=Jorgensen A, Cleveland CJ |publisher=National Council for Science and the Environment |location=Washington DC |access-date=October 26, 2012 |archive-date=October 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028080550/http://www.eoearth.org/article/Sulfur?topic=49557 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Toluene is irritating to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. It is absorbed slowly through the skin. It can cause systemic toxicity by inhalation or ingestion. Inhalation is the most common route of exposure. Symptoms of toluene poisoning include [[central nervous system]] effects (headache, dizziness, drowsiness, [[ataxia]], [[euphoria]], [[tremor]]s, [[hallucinations]], [[seizures]], and coma), chemical [[pneumonitis]], respiratory depression, [[ventricular arrhythmias]], nausea, vomiting, and [[electrolyte imbalance]]s.<ref name="cdc"></ref>

Inhalation of toluene in low to moderate levels can cause tiredness, confusion, weakness, drunken-type actions, memory loss, nausea, loss of appetite, [[hearing loss]],<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Chang SJ, Chen CJ, Lien CH, Sung FC | title = Hearing loss in workers exposed to toluene and noise | journal = Environmental Health Perspectives | volume = 114 | issue = 8 | pages = 1283–6 | date = August 2006 | pmid = 16882540 | pmc = 1552019 | doi = 10.1289/ehp.8959 | bibcode = 2006EnvHP.114.1283C }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Morata TC, Nylén P, Johnson AC, Dunn DE | title = Auditory and vestibular functions after single or combined exposure to toluene: a review | journal = Archives of Toxicology | volume = 69 | issue = 7 | pages = 431–43 | date = 1995 | pmid = 8526738 | doi = 10.1007/s002040050196 | bibcode = 1995ArTox..69..431M | s2cid = 22919141 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite report|date=September 1, 2020 |title=Preventing hearing loss caused by chemical (ototoxicity) and noise exposure. |language=en-us |doi=10.26616/NIOSHPUB2018124|doi-access=free|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2018-124/pdfs/2018-124.pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB2018124}}</ref> and colour vision loss.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kishi R, Eguchi T, Yuasa J, Katakura Y, Arata Y, Harabuchi I, Kawai T, Masuchi A | title = Effects of low-level occupational exposure to styrene on color vision: dose relation with a urinary metabolite | journal = Environmental Research | volume = 85 | issue = 1 | pages = 25–30 | date = January 2001 | pmid = 11161648 | doi = 10.1006/enrs.2000.4227 | bibcode = 2001ER.....85...25K }}</ref> Some of these symptoms usually disappear when exposure is stopped. Inhaling high levels of toluene in a short time may cause light-headedness, nausea, or sleepiness, unconsciousness, and even [[sudden sniffing death|death]].<ref>[http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/toluene/health_tol.html "Health Effects of Toluene"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125213554/http://ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/toluene/health_tol.html |date=November 25, 2010 }}, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.</ref><ref>[http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/toluene/physiologic_effects.html "Toluene Toxicity Physiologic Effects"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012074521/http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/toluene/physiologic_effects.html |date=October 12, 2016 }}, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.</ref> Toluene is, however, much less toxic than [[benzene]], and as a consequence, largely replaced it as an aromatic solvent in chemical preparation. The [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|US Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) states that the [[carcinogen]]ic potential of toluene cannot be evaluated due to insufficient information.<ref>[http://www.epa.gov/airtoxics/hlthef/toluene.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306051516/http://www.epa.gov/airtoxics/hlthef/toluene.html|date=March 6, 2015}}, EPA</ref> In 2013, worldwide sales of toluene amounted to about 24.5&nbsp;billion US dollars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ceresana.com/en/market-studies/chemicals/toluene/|title=Toluene – Study: Market, Analysis, Trends – Ceresana|author=Ceresana|access-date=April 14, 2015|archive-date=April 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429112325/http://www.ceresana.com/en/market-studies/chemicals/toluene/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Toluene occurs as an [[Indoor air quality|indoor air pollutant]] in a number of processes including electrosurgery, and can be removed from the air with an [[activated carbon]] filter.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Carroll GT, Kirschman DL | title = A Peripherally Located Air Recirculation Device Containing an Activated Carbon Filter Reduces VOC Levels in a Simulated Operating Room | journal = ACS Omega | volume = 7 | issue = 50 | pages = 46640–46645 | date = December 2022 | pmid = 36570243 | pmc = 9774396 | doi = 10.1021/acsomega.2c05570 }}</ref>

Similarly to many other solvents such as [[1,1,1-trichloroethane]] and some [[alkylbenzene]]s, toluene has been shown to act as a [[noncompetitive inhibition|non-competitive]] [[NMDA receptor antagonist]] and [[GABAA receptor|GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor]] [[positive allosteric modulator]].<ref name="pmid19151967">{{cite journal | vauthors = Cruz SL, Soberanes-Chávez P, Páez-Martinez N, López-Rubalcava C | title = Toluene has antidepressant-like actions in two animal models used for the screening of antidepressant drugs | journal = Psychopharmacology | volume = 204 | issue = 2 | pages = 279–86 | date = June 2009 | pmid = 19151967 | doi = 10.1007/s00213-009-1462-2 | s2cid = 2235023 }}</ref> Additionally, toluene has been shown to display [[antidepressant]]-like effects in rodents in the [[forced swim test]] (FST) and the [[tail suspension test]] (TST),<ref name="pmid19151967" /> likely due to its NMDA antagonist properties.

Toluene is sometimes used as a recreational [[inhalant]] ("glue sniffing"), likely on account of its [[euphoriant|euphoric]] and [[dissociative]] effects.<ref name="pmid19151967" />

Toluene inhibits excitatory ion channels such as the [[NMDA receptor]], [[nicotinic acetylcholine receptor]], and the [[5-HT3 receptor|serotonin 5-HT<sub>3</sub> receptor]]. It also potentiates the function of inhibitory ion channels, such as the [[GABAA receptor|GABA<sub>A</sub>]] and [[glycine receptors]]. In addition, toluene disrupts [[voltage-gated calcium channel]]s and ATP-gated ion channels.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://flipper.diff.org/app/items/info/5367 | title=Toluene | access-date=February 15, 2019 | archive-date=February 16, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216153233/http://flipper.diff.org/app/items/info/5367 | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Recreational use ===
Toluene is used as an [[intoxicative inhalant]] in a manner unintended by manufacturers. People inhale toluene-containing products (e.g., [[paint thinner]], [[contact cement]], correction pens, model glue, etc.) for its [[Substance intoxication|intoxicating effect]]. The possession and use of toluene and products containing it are regulated in many jurisdictions, for the supposed reason of preventing minors from obtaining these products for [[recreational drug]] purposes. As of 2007, 24 US states had laws penalizing use, possession with intent to use, and/or distribution of such inhalants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/rpt/2009-R-0251.htm|title=State Laws on Inhalant Use|vauthors=Spigel S|date=July 8, 2009|access-date=April 13, 2015|archive-date=February 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225222036/http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/rpt/2009-R-0251.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2005 the [[European Union]] banned the general sale of products consisting of greater than 0.5% toluene.<ref>{{cite web |title=EU sets 0.1% limit on use of toluene, TCB |url=https://www.icis.com/resources/news/2005/09/24/1008648/eu-sets-0-1-limit-on-use-of-toluene-tcb/ |website=ICIS |publisher=[[Reed Business Information]] |date=September 24, 2005 |access-date=July 18, 2018 |archive-date=July 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718174344/https://www.icis.com/resources/news/2005/09/24/1008648/eu-sets-0-1-limit-on-use-of-toluene-tcb/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Bioremediation===
Several types of fungi including ''[[Cladophialophora]]'', ''[[Exophiala]]'', ''[[Leptodontidium]]'' ([[synonym (taxonomy)|syn.]] ''Leptodontium''), ''[[Pseudeurotium zonatum]]'', and ''[[Cladosporium sphaerospermum]]'', and certain species of bacteria can degrade toluene using it as a source of carbon and energy.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Isolation and characterisation of fungi growing on volatile aromatic hydrocarbons as their sole carbon and energy source |vauthors=Prenafeta-Boldu FX, Kuhn A, Luykx DM, Anke H, van Groenestijn JW, de Bont JA |journal=Mycological Research |volume=105 |issue=4 |pages=477–484 |date=April 2001 |doi=10.1017/S0953756201003719 |url=http://edepot.wur.nl/25292 |access-date=April 20, 2018 |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922020728/http://edepot.wur.nl/25292 |url-status=live }}</ref>