How green is xylene?

A study of the environmental impact of xylene

Xylene is a colorless, sweet-smelling liquid that is very flammable. The term xylene refers to a mixture of three benzene derivatives which are used as solvents in the printing, rubber, and leather industries. Xylene occurs naturally in petroleum and coal tar and is formed in small amounts during forest fires.

What goes into xylene
Over 90% of mixed xylene isomers is used for blending into petrol. The remainder is used in a variety of solvent applications, as well as to produce the individual isomers of xylene. Xylene based solvents are widely used in the paint and printing ink industries, for polyester fibre, film and fabricated items and perfumes, pesticide formulations, pharmaceuticals and adhesives. It is also used for household products such as aerosol paints and lacquers Xylene is also used as a cleaning agent, and as a thinner for paints and varnishes.


Chemical contamination
Xylene isomers are harmful to aquatic organisms. The acute toxicity to birds is low. Overall risk to aquatic environment is low, except near localised industrial discharges or spillages. Only very small amounts are taken up by plants, fish and birds. In the air, xylenes are broken down by sunlight, contributing to the formation of ozone in the lower atmosphere. In soil and water o-xylene and p-xylene are readily biodegraded under a wide range of aerobic and anaerobic conditions, but m-xylene is more persistent under similar conditions. See: Environment agency report on xylene








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