This archive report was first published on 14 November 2019.
On November 14, 2019, a controversy surrounding the use of xylene in KCSE chemistry practicals raised concerns over the safety of candidates and their supervisors.
The chemical compound, used due to a shortage of cyclohexane, left dozens of candidates and invigilators ill, complaining of chest pains, headaches, and stomach discomfort.
Others suffered burns after the compound exploded on heating.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha dismissed reports of xylene posing danger to candidates and invigilators, stating, “Most of the substances we use in Chemistry are dangerous. The substance of xylene that they are talking about is not as dangerous as chemicals such as chlorine… and these substances have been used since I was in high school,”
However, officials of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) claimed that xylene causes cancer and miscarriages.
So, what is xylene, and what are its health risks?
Xylene is a colourless, sweet-smelling liquid or gas that occurs naturally in petroleum, coal, and wood tar.
It is highly flammable, evaporates easily, and does not mix well with water, but it does mix with alcohol and many other chemicals.
Along with other solvents, xylene is widely used as a cleaning agent, a thinner for paint, as well as in varnishes.
Exposure to xylene can occur through inhalation, ingestion, eye or skin contact, and can cause a range of health effects, including dizziness, nausea, fainting, headache, and even vomiting.
According to the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), the primary risk of xylene exposure includes effects from inhalation or contact with the skin or eyes.
While xylene is not classified as a carcinogen, it is considered a central nervous system depressant, meaning it slows down the central nervous system.
Studies have shown that exposure to xylene can damage the cornea and cause skin irritation, and that longer exposure yields an even greater risk.
So, what should you do if you have been exposed to xylene?
Seek medical attention, preferably from a doctor familiar with chemical exposure, and follow the recommended treatment for eye and skin exposure.
