Kaka’ako EHSO – Xylene SOP Template
Created: March, 2008 – Updated: October 1, 2013
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STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
XYLENE
Principal Investigator:
Lab Location(s):
Emergency Contact
Information:
Annual Review Date:
Statement of Understanding and Compliance
I confirm that I have read and understand this SOP and will comply with the procedures and policies.
Name:
Signature:
Date:
Before working with Xylene, the lab worker must have the approval of the PI who shall provide
specific training according to this SOP and in understanding the MSDS provided by the
manufacturer. The lab worker must complete UH lab safety training and UH Kaka’ako hazardous
waste generator training prior to working with any chemicals. The lab worker should sign this
SOP as documentation that he/she understands the hazards and has been trained in how to work
with Xylene safely.
Xylene is a colorless liquid with an aromatic, sweet-balsam-like odor. It is flammable and volatile,
a suspected reproductive toxin, and must be used in a chemical fume hood or other approved
ventilated equipment.
1. INFORMATION ABOUT XYLENE AND PROCEDURES USING XYLENE
CAS#1330-20-7 (Synonyms: Dimethyl benzene, xylol, methyl toluene, 1,2-dimethyl benzene, Violet 3)
The xylene in commercial use is composed of a mixture of the three isomers ortho-xylene, meta-xylene,
and para-xylene. It is commonly used as a clearing agent in tissue processing/histology methods.
2. HAZARDOUS PROPERTIES, POTENTIAL ROUTES OF EXPOSURE, SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE
Xylene may irritate eyes, nose and respiratory tract. It can be absorbed through the skin and cause
dermatitis. At high concentrations, it is narcotic.
Routes of Exposure
Skin or eye contact, ingestion or inhalation.
Acute Effects:
Symptoms can lead to headache, fatigue, irritability, motor incoordination, dermatitis, dizziness,
incoherency, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Eye contact may result in redness, watering and
Kaka’ako EHSO – Xylene SOP Template
Created: March, 2008 – Updated: October 1, 2013
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itching. Flushing, redness of the face, a sensation of increased body heat, increased salivation, tremors,
and cardiac irritability have also been reported.
Chronic Effects:
Chronic exposure by inhalation or skin contact may result in liver or kidney damage, central nervous
system disorders, blood disorders, conjunctivitis, GI tract disorders, and dryness of the throat, nose and
skin. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage.
Cancer Hazard:
Not listed as a carcinogen.
Reproductive Hazard:
Information not available for human reproductive effects. Inhalation and oral administration of xylene in
laboratory animals showed decreased fetal weight, delayed bone development, skeletal variations and
missed abortions.
Exposure Limits:
The current OSHA PEL for xylene is 100 ppm (435 mg/m 3) as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA)
concentration. The NIOSH recommended exposure limits (RELs) for xylene are 100 ppm (435 mg/m 3) as
a TWA for up to a 10-hour workshift and a 40-hour workweek and 200 ppm (868 mg/m 3) for 10 minutes
as a short-term limit. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) assigned
xylene a threshold limit value (TLV) of 100 ppm (435 mg/m 3) as a TWA for a normal 8-hour workday and
a 40-hour workweek and a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 150 ppm (655 mg/m 3) for periods not to
exceed 15 minutes. The OSHA and ACGIH limits are based on the risk of irritant, narcotic, and chronic
effects associated with exposure to xylene, and the NIOSH limit is based on xylene’s potential to cause
central nervous system depression and respiratory irritation. (see Reference Table 1)
3. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
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Use of Cobra, or Viton gloves are recommended when handling xylene (confirm glove type and use
limitations by referring to the JABSOM Glove Compatibility and Use Guide - contact Kaka’ako
EHSO).
Safety glasses with side shields or chemical splash goggles shall be worn.
A laboratory coat should be worn when working with chemicals.
Closed toe shoes are required when working in the laboratory.
Use NIOSH/MSHA approved respirators when vapors or mist concentrations exceed PEL or if
chemical fume hood is not available or accessible. (see Reference Table 1)
4. ENGINEERING/VENTILATION CONTROLS
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Work with xylene in a properly operating and certified chemical fume hood.
Work at least 6” inside the hood, never place your head in the hood, set the sash at the lowest
position possible (if using the horizontal sliding sashes do not open past the labeled positions).
Safety shower and eye wash stations should be easily accessible where xylene is used.
5. SPECIAL HANDLING PROCEDURES AND STORAGE REQUIREMENTS
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Keep container tightly closed to prevent agent from subliming and entering the atmosphere.
When opening container, slowly relieve any pressure. Ground all equipment when transferring since
this chemical can accumulate static charge by flow or agitation.
Only non-sparking tools may be used to handle xylene.
Store in a cool and dry area away from incompatible substances (i.e. oxidizing agents, strong acids).
Store xylene in a flammable liquid storage cabinet.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling xylene (even if gloves were used).
Kaka’ako EHSO – Xylene SOP Template
Created: March, 2008 – Updated: October 1, 2013
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Remove contaminated clothing/PPE and wash before reuse.
Keep away from heat, sparks, flames, sources of ignition (including empty containers that will retain
product residue).
Transport chemicals in closed containers, in the smallest amounts possible, and use aids such as
carts, chemical transport carriers, etc.
It is highly recommended that all chemicals be stored below eye level so cracking or leaking
containers are immediately visible and there is less potential for chemicals falling onto lab workers
when pulling from shelves.
6. PROCEDURES ****Modify this section to reflect your lab specific procedures!
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Bench covers should be disposed via EHSO upon contamination from spilling or after usage.
Handling Xylene
o Wear appropriate PPE (gloves, eye protection, lab coats).
o Work in a chemical fume hood or well ventilated area.
o Change gloves after handling xylene.
7. SPILL AND ACCIDENT PROCEDURES
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Do not attempt cleanup if you feel unsure of your ability to do so or if you perceive the risk to be
greater than normal laboratory operators.
In the event of skin contact, immediately wash with mild soap and copious amounts of water and
remove contaminated clothing. Cover contaminated skin with an anti-bacterial cream. Seek medical
attention.
In case of contact with eyes, immediately flush eyes with copious amounts of water for at least 15
minutes (lifting upper and lower eyelids occasionally) and obtain medical attention.
If inhaled, move to fresh air immediately and seek medical attention. If victim is not breathing,
perform CPR.
In the event of ingestion, obtain medical attention immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless
directed to do so by medical personnel. If xylene or a solution containing xylene was ingested, give
the victim several glasses of water to drink. Keep victim warm and quiet until medical help arrives.
Report all incidents or near misses to Kaka’ako EHSO and complete the appropriate Incident Forms.
Small spills:
Don appropriate PPE (respiratory protection, skin/eye protection). Extinguish possible sources of
ignition. Evacuate all unprotected personnel and ventilate area. Absorb with an inert material
and dispose of spilled material into appropriate waste container.
Large spills:
Notify others in room of spill. Evacuate room/immediate area. Call Security and Kaka’ako
EHSO. Keep away from heat or sources or ignition. Stop leak if without risk. Absorb with DRY
earth, sand or other noncombustible material. Post warning signs at entrances/exits notifying
others of spill. Prevent unnecessary entry into area. Provide assistance and information to spill
responders.
Report all spills (minor and major) and any near misses to Kaka’ako EHSO.
8. WASTE DISPOSAL PROCEDURES
Xylene is classified as a Class 3 Flammable liquid. Xylene and all waste material containing xylene must
be placed in a glass container labeled with the following “Xylene Hazardous Waste” and properly
disposed of through Kaka’ako EHSO.
9. MSDS LOCATION ****Where is this located, as an attachment to the SOP, in the MSDS folder,
etc? Must have an MSDS, preferably manufacturer specific, specific for each type of xylene used
(per CAS#).
Kaka’ako EHSO – Xylene SOP Template
Created: March, 2008 – Updated: October 1, 2013
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Reference Table – Table 1
Respiratory Protection Recommended by NIOSH for workers exposed to xylene
CONDITION
RECOMMENDED RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
Airborne concentration of xylene:
-Any air-purifying, half mask respirator (including a disposable
100 – 200(+) ppm (2 x REL)
respirator) equipped with organic vapor cartridges, or
-Any supplied-air respirator equipped with a half mask and
operated in a demand (negative pressure) mode, or
-Any supplied-air respirator equipped with a half mask and
operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
Airborne concentration of xylene:
-Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator equipped with organic
100 – 1000(+) ppm (10 x REL)
vapor cartridges or an organic vapor canister, or
-Any powered, air-purifying respirator equipped with a loosefitting hood or helmet and organic vapor cartridges or an organic
vapor canister, or
- Any powered, air-purifying respirator equipped with a tightfitting facepiece and organic vapor cartridges or an organic
vapor canister, or
-Any supplied-air respirator equipped with a full facepiece and
operated in a demand (negative pressure) mode, or
-Any supplied-air respirator equipped with a hood or helmet and
operated in a continuous-flow mode, or
-Any supplied-air respirator equipped with a tight-fitting
facepiece and operated in a continuous-flow mode, or
-Any supplied-air respirator equipped with a full facepiece and
operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure
mode, or Respiratory protection recommended by NIOSH for
workers exposed to xylene
-Any self-contained respirator equipped with a full facepiece and
operated in a demand (negative-pressure) mode
* Only full-facepiece respirators should be used in concentrations of xylene over 200 ppm because of its
irritant effects on the eyes.
* The xylene concentration that is immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) is 1000 ppm.
References: Information contained in this SOP was gathered from the following sources: Ohio State
University, University of Washington, Wake Forest University, Americhem Sales Corporation MSDS,
OSHA (http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/xylene/recognition.html), Science Lab.com MSDS,
Fisher Scientific (MSDS).