TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Toxic Effects of Solvents and Vapors A1 - Bruckner, James V. A1 - Anand, S. Satheesh A1 - Warren, D. Alan A2 - Klaassen, Curtis D. Y1 - 2019 N1 - T2 - Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons, 9th edition AB - The term solvent refers to a class of organic chemicals of variable lipophilicity and volatility. These properties, coupled with small molecular size and lack of charge, make inhalation the major route of exposure and provide for ready absorption across membranes of the lung, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and skin. In general, the lipophilicity of solvents increases with increasing numbers of carbon and/or halogen atoms, while volatility decreases. Organic solvents are frequently used to dissolve, dilute, or disperse materials that are insoluble in water. As such they are widely employed as degreasers and as constituents of paints, varnishes, lacquers, inks, aerosol spray products, dyes, and adhesives. Other uses are as intermediates in chemical synthesis, and as fuels and fuel additives. Most organic solvents are refined from petroleum. Many solvents such as naphthas and gasoline are complex mixtures, often consisting of hundreds of compounds. Early in the twentieth century, there were perhaps a dozen or so known and commonly used solvents. By 1981, this number had climbed to approximately 350 (OSHA, 2006). SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/11/07 UR - accessbiomedicalscience.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1158502434 ER -