Bill Taylor age 14, of Carson City, Nev., for his question:

WHAT IS TOLUENE?

Toluene is an aromatic liquid related to benzene. Here's how you pronounce the word: tall you een. It is sometimes called methyl benzene.

Manufacturers make toluene by treating petroleum or distilled coal tar. Chemists use toluene as a raw material to produce other chemicals. As an example, they sometimes make benzoic acid from it. Benzoic acid is used as a preservative for foods, beverages and cosmetics.

Manufacturers also use toluene to make saccharin. Although it is not a sugar, saccharin is about 500 times as sweet as sugar.

An antiseptic known as chloramine T is also made from toluene.

Makers of explosives use toluene to make trinitrotoluene, commonly called TNT.

Paint manufacturers use toluene as a lacquer solvent.

Many dyes and perfumes contain toluene.