Benzene, a colorless or sometimes yellow liquid when at room temperature, is highly flammable, will dissolve in water, has a sweet odor, evaporates quickly into the air, and is produced both by natural processes, but also by human activities. Through natural sources, Benzene can come from volcanoes and forest fires, is a natural part of crude oil, gasoline, and surprisingly, tobacco smoke. Yet, when produced through human activities, Benzene can be found to be released into the air through motor vehicle exhaust, burning coal and oil, and at gasoline stations. Benzene is all manufactured to be used in some industrial applications such as the production of other dyes, detergents, and some plastics. Most recently, Benzene has even been discovered to be used in soft drinks and other beverages.When individuals that work in industries that may use Benzene, or even those that manufacture it, are not properly protect through the use of adequate safety equipment or other precautionary measures then these workers may become exposed to high level of Benzene. Overexposure to Benzene has become apparent in the presence of the human body by being detected through measuring the levels in breath, blood or the breakdown of the products found in urine. Some of the signs related to breathing in high levels of Benzene exposure can include, drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, tremors, rapid heart rate, confusion, and unconsciousness. Should overexposure to Benzene be ingested, the result may be vomiting, dizziness, stomach irritation, drowsiness, rapid heart rate, and convulsions. Extremely consumption of Benzene through breathing or other methods can even lead to death.
A major effect of Benzene that is the result of long term exposure can be found in the blood. Anemia has been known to be caused by Benzene's harmful aftermath on bone marrow which causing a decrease in red blood cells. Benzene also may have an adverse effect with excessive bleeding, along with an increased chance of infection that may be brought about due to Benzene's consequence on the immune system. For women, overexposure to unreasonable levels of Benzene have been found to impair fertility.
Benzene has been found dangerous by the US Department of Health and Human Services, as well as, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the US Environmental Protection Agency. These agencies have found Benzene to be a carcinogen which translates to cancer causing. One type of cancer caused by long term exposure to Benzene include leukemia, or more specifically, Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
OSHA has recommend ways to protect against Benzene exposure by encouraging the limit of evaporation and preventing spills and splashes. Should work in the industry be done where Benzene is made or used, then there should be hoods, canopies, and proper ventilation systems in place, and personal protective equipment should be worn. It is also highly recommended to limit the amount of contact to gasoline, and more importantly, cigarette smoke especially around children.
Even with all the recommendations on how to be protected from the overexposure to Benzene being made, there are still risk associate with being exposed to high levels of Benzene. Click here to find out more information and to request a consultation.
