| Benzene is a colorless, sweet smelling, highly | | | | also reported in long-term exposure. Benzene |
| combustible liquid that is extensively used in | | | | enters the blood stream and gets broken down in |
| chemical industries and other manufacturing | | | | the liver leading to formation of harmful |
| industries like rubber, plastics, paints, resins, drugs, | | | | metabolites. It affects bone marrow and fatty |
| pesticides, and synthetic products. | | | | tissues. It can prevent bone marrow from |
| Gasoline and tobacco smoke also contain traces | | | | producing enough red blood cells, which can lead |
| of this chemical. Benzene is a known carcinogen. | | | | to anemia. In addition, it can impair the immune |
| Long-term exposure to a carcinogen is a potential | | | | system by altering antibody levels in blood and |
| health hazard. Various diseases ranging from | | | | the depletion of white blood cells. The amount, |
| anemia to cancer have been reported in workers | | | | route, and length of time of exposure, as well as |
| and other persons exposed to benzene for long | | | | the age and preexisting medical condition of the |
| periods. The law provides for compensation for | | | | exposed person determines the seriousness of |
| benzene afflicted health effects. | | | | the impact. |
| Exposures to benzene can take place through a | | | | As benzene is a potential health hazard, the US |
| number of sources. Workers in many industries | | | | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the |
| are exposed to benzene vapors. Spills, leaks, and | | | | Occupational Health and Safety Administration |
| accidents also occur. Some amount of benzene is | | | | (OSHA) monitor levels of benzene. EPA monitors |
| present in the atmosphere as by- product of | | | | levels in air and water and OSHA looks after |
| human activity. It's also found in automobile | | | | occupational health issues of the workers. |
| exhausts, cigarette smoke, paint fumes, and | | | | Removing your clothes, washing your entire body |
| hazardous wastes. People living near these | | | | with soap and water, and getting medical care are |
| industries are also vulnerable to benzene | | | | the immediate steps you need to take if you |
| exposures. | | | | think that you have been exposed to benzene. |
| Benzene can enter the body through inhalation, | | | | Independent tests carried out in the United States |
| ingestion, or skin infusion. Short period exposure | | | | in early 2006, indicate levels of benzene 2-5 times |
| may be attributed to the following symptoms: | | | | the World Health Organization (WHO) water |
| Confusion | | | | quality guideline levels of 10 parts per billion (ppb |
| Sleepiness | | | | or 0.01 milligrams per liter). There is a growing |
| Rapid pulse | | | | concern about the rising health hazards of this |
| Loss of consciousness | | | | chemical. OSHA has mandated that exposure |
| Anemia | | | | levels should be restricted to 1 part of benzene |
| Damage to the nervous system | | | | per million parts of air (based on a 40-hour |
| Suppression of the immune system | | | | workweek). If these stringent provisions are not |
| Death may also occur if a large concentration of | | | | followed and general awareness about benzene |
| benzene enters the body due to spills, leaks, or | | | | related health effects are not raised, incidences of |
| accidents. Long-term exposure may cause: | | | | people getting sick or dying from exposure to |
| * Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a type of cancer that | | | | benzene will continue to rise. |
| affects the blood | | | | Disclaimer - The information presented here |
| * Secondary Aplastic Anemia | | | | should not be interpreted as or substituted for |
| * Damage to the reproductive system | | | | medical advice. Please talk to a qualified |
| Other types of leukemia and severe anemia are | | | | professional for more information about Benzene. |