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Note: The Toxicology Update represents a brief review of an often extensive literature base. Only some of the directly related references may he included.

Like most organic solvents, xylene has irritating effects on the skin, mucous membranes and respiratory tract. It has a narcotic effect on the nervous system, variable effects on the liver and kidneys, and questionable effects on the cardiovascular system and female reproductive system. Xylene was thought to be deleterious to the hemopoietic system, but more recent studies concluded that such effects were due to benzene contamination or inflammation response to xylene injection. The latest evidence indicates that xylenes are not co-carcinogenic, carcinogenic or teratogenic. If maternal toxicity is avoided, xylenes do not have embryotoxic effects.

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