ABSTRACT
P. Bohlen et al caution that consideration of the significance of the partition coefficient of solvents must include solvent induced lipid accumulation by the tissue component of the partition coefficient. Most of the research on this aspect of chronic solvent toxicity has been undertaken in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. The symptoms of toxicity induced by alkanes include narcosis, dizziness, headache, nausea, confusion, and in very severe cases, a loss of consciousness. Benzene is considered separately because its toxicities are different from those of the alkyl benzenes. The toxicity of peroxides of ketones are sometimes confused with that of the parent ketones. Exposure of animals to pure xylene has not resulted in toxicity to the hematopoietic system, characteristic of benzene. When ethyl alcohol is ingested before exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbons, the hepatotoxicity of carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, trichloroethane, and trichloroethylene is increased. Ethylene glycol ethers are used in hydraulic fluid as solvents in dye resins, in cleaning compounds, and in liquid soaps.
