| Benzene, also known as benzol, is a liquid organic | | | | the size of their ovaries. Exposure to benzene is |
| chemical compound that evaporates quickly and | | | | responsible for low birth weights, delayed bone |
| partly dissolves in water. It is colorless and highly | | | | formation and even bone marrow damage in |
| flammable. It is also a known carcinogen, or | | | | laboratory animals. |
| cancer-causing substance. When added to petrol, it | | | | Long term benzene exposure through the blood |
| increases the octane rating and reduces the knocking | | | | damages the bone marrow and can decrease red |
| noise in some engines. | | | | blood cell count, leading to anemia. It can cause |
| Benzene's sweet smell made it a favorite after-shave | | | | excessive bleeding and depress the immune system, |
| lotion in the 19th and early twentieth centuries. It | | | | increasing the risk of infection. Benzene causes |
| was used as a popular method to decaffeinate | | | | leukemia and other cancers of the blood; and has |
| coffee in the early 1900s. It was used as an industrial | | | | been linked to a rare form of kidney cancer. Benzene |
| solvent to degrease metal prior to the 1920s. Even | | | | is also found in tobacco smoke. |
| as recent as the 1970s hardware stores sold | | | | Today, several tests can determine if someone has |
| benzene in small cans. It was a very popular | | | | been exposed to benzene. The test to measure |
| ingredient in paint strippers, rubber cement and other | | | | benzene in the breath must be done shortly after |
| products containing hydrocarbon. As time passed, and | | | | exposure for accurate results. Benzene disappears |
| research showed the carcinogenic properties of | | | | quickly from the blood as well. Blood tests must be |
| benzene, alternative methods were found for each | | | | done very soon after exposure to determine |
| of its many uses. | | | | exposure levels. The body metabolizes benzene and |
| Today, benzene is still used to make some products, | | | | metabolites such as trans, trans-muconic acid can be |
| but not nearly as often. Currently it is used as a | | | | measured in the urine. This test must also been done |
| component for other useful chemicals. Most common | | | | shortly after exposure and is not a reliable indicator |
| uses include styrene, phenol and cyclohexane. Small | | | | as to the exposure level of benzene. The same |
| amounts are used to make rubbers, lubricants, dyes, | | | | metabolites produced by benzene may be present |
| detergents, drugs, explosives, napalm and some | | | | from other sources. |
| pesticides. | | | | OSHA set an acceptable exposure limit of benzene |
| Benzene Causes Cancer | | | | to maintain a healthier workplace for those working |
| When inhaled directly for any extended period, | | | | with substances containing benzene. Spills of ten |
| benzene can be fatal. Prolonged exposure to benzene | | | | pounds of benzene or more must be reported to the |
| was reported to cause cancer in the 1920s. Studies | | | | EPA in a timely manner. Even levels of benzene |
| have shown benzene causes cancer in both genders | | | | deemed safe should be avoided by whatever means |
| of multiple species of laboratory animals as well as | | | | necessary. Prolonged exposure to even small |
| human beings. Benzene has also shown to cause | | | | amounts can cause serious health risks. |
| irregular menstrual periods in women and decrease | | | | |