>Aren't both toluene and xylene carcinigens?

Toluene & xylene have an acute toxicity on the nervous system (as
benzene), they can also be toxic to the liver and the kidney. But, as
far as I know these pathologies only concern occupational exposures.

It doesn't seem they are classified as carcinogens to human, to the
contrary to benzen which is classified in class 1,carcinogenic to
humans.
You can have a look at the IARC web site :
http://193.51.164.11/monoeval/grlist.html
For xylenes the report is :
http://193.51.164.11/htdocs/Monographs/Vol71/052-xylenes.html

Anyway, using solvents :
- open your window,
- avoid contact with hands, eyes...,
- don't smoke,
- be sure the bottle where they are stored is well closed.

Sophie