Benzene

What is Benzene? Benzene is an organic chemical, it is colorless and highly flammable liquid with a sweet smell and a relatively high melting point. Benzene is a natural constituent of crude oil and it can be synthesized from other compounds present in petroleum.

What happens when it enters the environment?. Benzene can pass into the air from water and soil. It reacts with other chemicals in the air and breaks down within a few days. Benzene in the air can attach to rain or snow and be carried back down to the ground It breaks down more slowly in water and soil, and can pass through the soil into underground water. Benzene does not build up in plants or animals.

How can human be exposed to the chemical? By working in a place that make use of Benzene, outdoor air contains low levels of benzene from tobacco smoke, automobile service stations, exhaust from motor vehicles, and industrial emissions vapors form glue, paints, furniture wax, and detergents, are also a source of exposure

How does it affect human health? Benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, tremors, confusion, and unconsciousness. Eating or drinking foods containing high levels of benzene can cause vomiting, irritation of the stomach, dizziness, rapid heart rate, and death.

How likely is it to cause cancer? Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia.

Is there a medical test to show whether someone has been exposed to the chemical? Yes there is a medical test that shows if someone has been exposed to this chemical, there is a test for measuring benzene in the breath, this test is done shortly after the exposure to the chemical, benzene can also be measured through blood but it disappears rapidly from blood so this test is only useful for recent exposure

ATSDR is the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and HSEES is The Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance

A diagram of Benzene: #937050 molecule with shadow picture...    #
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