Description

Benzene is a sweet-smelling chemical in the aromatic hydrocarbon class and a volatile organic compound (VOC), which easily releases fumes. It is manufactured in large quantities primarily for industrial uses. Most benzene is produced for use as a building block in the manufacture of a number of products, such as medicinal and industrial chemicals, plastics, rubber, resins, synthetic fabrics, dyes, detergents and explosives. Generally, people are exposed to benzene from tobacco smoke, gasoline and automobile exhaust. Benzene is also used as a solvent in waxes, resins, paints, inks and some craft supplies. However, benzene is not a common ingredient in consumer products today. Products containing more than 5% benzene must be labeled. Paint thinners containing more than 10% of petroleum distillates must be packaged according to regulated safety requirements. Benzene is produced naturally by volcanoes and forest fires.

Health Effects

Immediate Health Effects

If SWALLOWED, benzene is Very Highly Toxic
If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, benzene is Not Available
If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), benzene is Very Highly Toxic

Longterm or Delayed Health Effects

Cancer, particularly leukemia and other cancers of the blood and blood-producing organs, such as multiple myeloma.

Other

Decrease in red blood cells leading to anemia; bone marrow damage, including myelodysplastic syndromes; excessive bleeding; immune system depression; drying and scaling of skin.
Effects on the central nervous system ranging from drowsiness, dizziness, sleepiness, rapid heart rate and headache to loss of consciousness. Death may result from respiratory failure due to central nervous system depression.
Chromosomal damage.
In test animals, benzene inhalation during pregnancy has caused low birth weights, delayed bone formation, and bone marrow damage.

How Exposures Occur

Automobile Exhaust

Children can inhale benzene from exhaust fumes in high-traffic areas.

Gasoline

Children may inhale gasoline fumes at filling stations. They may also be exposed in home garages due to fumes released from gas in fuel tanks. If they touch the gasoline, benzene may be absorbed through skin.

Household

Some household automotive and industrial cleaning products may contain small amounts of benzene, and emissions have been detected from some carpet glues, textured carpets and rugs, and furniture waxes.

Tobacco Smoke

Children may inhale benzene fumes found in secondhand tobacco smoke.

Water and Food

Children may ingest benzene in contaminated drinking water. Benzene may also be absorbed through their skin while showering or bathing in contaminated water. Benzene has been found in produce, dairy products and in eggs and fish.

Significant Statistics

Benzene is in the top 20 chemicals produced by volume.

Benzene. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registery. February 1, 2009. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=14.

Approximately half of the total national benzene exposure comes from cigarette smoke. Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program . http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/index.cfm?objectid=32BA9724-F1F6-975E-7FCE50709CB4C932.

There were 1,008 facilities that released benzene into the environment in the United States in 2001.

Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program . http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/index.cfm?objectid=32BA9724-F1F6-975E-7FCE50709CB4C932.

Benzene was first isolated from coal tar in the 1800’s. Today it is derived from petroleum.

Toxicological Profile for Benzene. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registery. August 2007. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp3.pdf.

Smokers average about 10 times more benzene exposure than nonsmokers.

Toxicological Profile for Benzene. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registery. August 2007. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp3.pdf.

Solutions

How to detect benzene

Benzene is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires that community water systems monitor benzene levels, and make public when levels exceed the set Maximum Contamination Level (MCL). The MCL for benzene is 5 parts per billion.

Community water systems are required to produce annual consumer confidence reports and mail them to every water customer.

If your water source is a well, your water is not monitored for contaminants as is required for public water supplies by the Safe Drinking Water Act. Private testing of the water is necessary.

Even if your water comes from a community water system, contaminant levels can vary from house to house. You can have your water tested by sending samples to a certified laboratory.

You can search for water quality reports from your water provider, obtain information on well water testing and find a list of state-certified drinking water laboratories at the U.S. EPA’s Office of Water’s website or call the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 800-426-4791.

How to minimize exposure to benzene

Reduce your children’s exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke. Make your home a smoke-free zone.
Do not use solvent-containing products such as paints, paint thinners, harsh cleaning products, adhesives, and sealants around children. When using them, follow directions
carefully and provide lots of ventilation. Seal these products tightly and keep out of reach of children when not in use.
Avoid operating small household combustion engines, such as lawnmowers, in enclosed spaces like garages or workshops. Start them outdoors.

Alternatives

Choose least-toxic, low-or no-VOC, or water-based paints, sealants, paint thinners, adhesives and cleaning products.
Service stations with plastic vapor-recovery boot nozzles on their gas pumps release less benzene into the air during filling. These accordion-like covers remain over the opening of the gas tank so that fumes are unable to escape.