XYLENES - EVALUATION OF RISKS TO HEALTH FROM ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE IN CANADA

Xylenes are included on the List of Priority Substances to be assessed under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. On the basis of avai lable data, they have been classified as ''unlikely to be carcinogenic to humans''. Total average daily intakes of xylenes for the general p opulation in Canada estimated based on data on concentrations in ambie nt and indoor air, drinking water and at self-serve gasoline stations are less (by 16 to 40 times) than the tolerable daily intake derived o n the basis of studies in laboratory species.