5 Important Questions on Benzene Exposure

Benzene is a colorless, although sometimes pale yellow, liquid chemical carcinogen with a sweet odor, which quickly evaporates and becomes a gas once exposed to air. It is heavier than air, and may sink into low lying areas. It is one of the most widely used chemicals in the United States, being used in the production of rubbers, plastics, oil based paints, degreasers, gasoline, lubricants and other solvents.

The most common way people are exposed to benzene is through the workplace. Workers at highest risk for exposure to benzene include chemical plant workers, painters, paper factory workers, oil refinery workers, and mechanics.

You may also be exposed in your community. Gasoline fumes, car exhaust, factory emissions and waste water from certain businesses may all contain harmful amounts of Benzene. Cigarette smoke and secondhand smoke is also a major contributor of exposure. Benzene is also formed in a natural process like forest fires and volcanoes, although these are not generally contributors to human exposure.

Signs of exposure by those who breathe in high levels of benzene develop within several minutes to several hours of exposure. They include:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Rapid / Irregular heartbeat
• Confusion
• Tremors
• Unconsciousness
• Death (at high levels of exposure)

Signs of exposure by those who drink high levels of benzene develop within several minutes to several hours of exposure. They include:

• Vomiting
• Stomach irritation
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Rapid / Irregular heartbeat
• Convulsions
• Death (at high levels of exposure)

 

Exposure to benzene mainly affects your blood, as it causes a decrease in red blood cell counts leading to cases of anemia. Some studies have also shown effects on women ranging from menstrual cycle irregularities and a decrease in the size of the ovaries. Studies on animals have shown low birth weights, delayed bone formation and bone marrow damage when pregnant animals have breathed air contaminated with benzene.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has come to the determination that benzene does in fact cause cancer in humans. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia, a cancer which impacts the body’s blood forming tissues.

First step is to get to a safe place. If the source of benzene is indoors, quickly move outside. If the source is outdoors, get as far away as possible from the area when it was released.

If you think you were exposed to the benzene immediately remove your clothes and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Make use of rubber gloves, tongs or sticks and other similar objects to help avoid touching the contaminated areas directly. As soon as possible after exposure and removing clothing, wash yourself my lots of soap and water. If you have burning or irritated eyes, or blurred vision, rinse your eyes with water for 10-15 minutes. If you wear contacts, remove and dispose of them.

Seek medical attention as soon as the above needs are met, and explain calmly when, where and how you were exposed.