Benzene

CAS number 71-43-2

Description

Benzene is a colourless, sweet smelling volatile liquid. Benzene evaporates easily, and most people can just detect its distinctive smell at concentrations between 2.5 and 5 parts per million (ppm) in air. Benzene dissolves only slightly in water and will float on top of water.

Uses

Benzene is used as a starting chemical in the manufacture of a wide range of plastics products, solvents and insecticides. It ranks in the top 20 chemicals used in production in the USA.

Key sources in then outdoor air are from petrochemicals e.g. car exhaust, cigarette smoke, solvents and industrial making processes and emissions.

Indoor air generally contains levels of benzene higher than those in outdoor air. The benzene in indoor air comes from products that contain benzene such as glues, paints, furniture wax, and detergents.

Benzene used to be used in the production of cosmetics, cleaning products and the making of decaffeinated coffee, prior to its toxic nature being fully understood. This is no longer permitted.

Why it can be problematic for human and animal health

Exposure to benzene can be by breathing or ingesting the substance, or by skin or eye contact.

The main effects of chronic exposure are seen in studies from occupational settings. In the UK benzene levels are under stringent control and exposures to benzene at work, in water and air are reduced to the lowest practical level to minimise possible risks to health.

Benzene is shown in scientific literature as being associated with the following chronic health impacts:

Due to its effects on the blood it is a carcinogen, especially leukaemia, and other cancers of the white blood cells
Allergies e.g. skin, eye irritation
Fatigue, headaches and dizziness
Damage to DNA
Some women who breathed high levels of benzene for many months had irregular menstrual periods and a decrease in the size of their ovaries.
Bone marrow suppression leading to serious blood disorders such as anaemia;
Mental health, e.g. contributing towards depression and/or anxiety

Benzene can have an acute toxic effect through inhalation, leading to breathing difficulties, nausea, dizziness and neurological effects. This can include irritation, and burning to eyes, ears, nose and throat.

Please note any adverse health effects that you may encounter in exposure to a chemical depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.