[Histonet] Toluene vs. Xylene

[Smith, Allen]

Although both are flammable and give off toxic fumes, toluene is slightly more dangerous because it has a higher vapor pressure.  The flash point of toluene is 5 degrees C; the flash point of xylene is around 25 degrees C (Merck index; Lewis & Sax say 38 degrees C).

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rene J Buesa
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 10:38 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu; James Dooley
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Toluene vs. Xylene

Not really and both are as dangerous and both should be avoided. As a matter of fact xylene began to be used in the mid 1950s to substitute chemicals like toluene, until it was found that both were equally dangerous. Toluene is present in many mounting media.
René J.

--- On Thu, 10/9/08, James Dooley <jdooley2008 <@t> yahoo.com> wrote:

From: James Dooley <jdooley2008 <@t> yahoo.com>
Subject: [Histonet] Toluene vs. Xylene
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2008, 10:16 AM

Is there a significant difference between using xylene and toluene when
deparaffinizing embedding tissue?

Thank you,
James




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