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