CarCareTruth

Trimethylbenzene Mixed Isomers

  • Aromatic solvents
  • CAS 25551-13-7
  • IUPAC: Trimethylbenzene (mixed isomers)

Substance-level classification (REACH/CLP): Flam. Liq. 3 (H226), Aquatic Chronic 2 (H411). At sub-1% mixture concentrations, trimethylbenzene mixed isomers fall below mixture-classification thresholds for health H-codes. Physical flammability hazard only at substance level; at typical product concentrations (<1%), there is no contribution to product-level health classification beyond physical hazard.

Trimethylbenzene mixed isomers (CAS 25551-13-7) are a blend of 1,2,3-, 1,2,4-, and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene arising from the aromatic fraction of petroleum naphtha. They appear in detailing products as minor constituents of petroleum-distillate co-solvents (Stoddard solvent, mineral spirits) at sub-1% concentrations rather than as deliberate standalone additions. At the substance level, the harmonized REACH/CLP classification is Flam. Liq. 3 (H226) and Aquatic Chronic 2 (H411). In finished detailing products where the isomer mixture is present at 0.5–<1%, the concentration is below the mixture-classification threshold that would trigger product-level health hazard codes — the classification contribution to a finished product is the aquatic chronic flag, which informs the product's environmental profile rather than health PPE. The primary environmental concern is aquatic toxicity: the aromatic component of petroleum naphtha is the dominant driver of aquatic chronic classifications in Stoddard solvent-containing products. At trace product concentrations the environmental load per application is low, but cumulative drain discharge from wash-stage products deserves noting given the weekly application cycle typical of maintenance detailing products.

Health & environment profile

VOC
yes
Prop 65 listed
no
Asthmagen
no
EPA Safer Choice
no
Aquatic toxicity
yes
Biodegradable
no
Bioaccumulative
no
Persistent
yes
Ozone depleting
no
Microplastic
no
PFAS
no
Env. score
2/5
Purpose: Aromatic co-solvent present at trace concentration (<1%) in petroleum-distillate carriers; contributes to solvent polarity and co-solubility with silicone/siloxane actives.

1 product contain this

Health summaries are editorial — we synthesize from SDSs, peer-reviewed sources, and regulatory listings. Not medical advice.