Toluene
Also: methylbenzene · phenylmethane · toluol
Avoid — a reproductive toxicant linked to menstrual irregularities, subfertility, and miscarriage risk; restricted in EU cosmetics and listed under California Prop 65.
Fertility & hormonal impact
Toluene is a volatile solvent with well-documented reproductive toxicity. Studies of women with chronic occupational exposure (for example in nail salons and certain manufacturing settings) report menstrual-cycle irregularities, reduced fertility / subfertility, and an elevated risk of spontaneous abortion. Animal studies show disrupted ovarian function and adverse developmental outcomes. For most women the everyday source is nail products, where exposure is far lower than occupational settings, but it remains a chemical worth avoiding around conception and during early pregnancy.
Found in.
Two jurisdictions, two different verdicts.
Banned in cosmetics under EU Regulation EC 1223/2009, Annex II, entry 1040.
No ban in cosmetics, though FDA advises avoiding nail products with toluene, formaldehyde, and DBP during pregnancy. Listed under California Prop 65 as a developmental/reproductive toxicant.
The receipts.
- [01]EU Regulation 1907/2006 (REACH) — Toluene reproductive hazard classification (ECHA)echa.europa.eu/substance-information/-/substanceinfo/100.003.656
- [02]California Prop 65 — Toluene (developmental toxicant)oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/chemicals/toluene
- [03]ATSDR — Toluene Toxicological Profilewww.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp56.pdf
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