Toluene

Toluene is a volatile organic hydrocarbon commodity product used in many industries as a solvent, cleaning agent and lubricant. The mixture is colourless, water-insoluble liquid with a smell similar to paint thinners that catches fire easily. Toluene is used in making paints, paint thinners, fingernail polish, lacquers, adhesives, and rubber and in some printing and leather tanning processes. Naturally in smoke from volcanoes, forest fires and crude oil it is used as a gasoline additive and improve octane ratings and to make other chemicals, nylon and plastics, explosives, as a solvent for paints and lacquers and as a thinner for inks, dyes and perfumes. It is present in many household products.