The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re-evaluated the developmental toxicity of xylene [1330-20-7]. In 2019, the maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value) of xylene was lowered to 50 ml/m 3 after taking into account the increased respiratory volume at the workplace (see List of MAK and BAT Values, Section I b and I c). The critical effect of xylene is acute neurotoxicity. Due to mixed exposure and the limited validity

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... f epidemiologic studies, no conclusions can be drawn with respect to developmental toxicity in humans. In animal studies, xylene did not demonstrate a teratogenic potential. Significant decreases in foetal body weights were observed in rats in prenatal toxicity studies after inhalation exposure to the o-isomer or the technical mixture at a concentration of 500 ml/m 3 and above; the NOAEC was 100 ml/m 3 . This effect was observed with the m-and p-isomers only at higher concentrations. Maternal toxicity in the form of reduced maternal body weight gains was observed at 1000 ml/m 3 and 2000 ml/m 3 after exposure to all isomers and the mixture, respectively.