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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Occupational Health and Safety Guideline for Benzene, Potential Human Carcinogen
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Report on Carcinogens, 11th Edition: Benzene
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Harmful Effects of Benzene
In all likelihood, you will encounter the chemical benzene today. It is present in the air largely as a pollutant from manufacturing and motor vehicle exhaust. Many manufacturing processes involve benzene including the production detergents, medicines, synthetic fabrics and dyes. Cigarette smoke also contains benzene. In addition to polluting the air, benzene can also contaminate water supplies and the soil. Benzene enters the body through inhalation of the vapors, absorption through the skin or ingestion. The adverse health effects of benzene depend on the route, duration and dose of your exposure 25.
Poisoning
Accidental or intentional ingestion of benzene causes acute poisoning. Benzene is rapidly absorbed into the blood stream and travels to the brain with devastating effects. Stupor, delirium, and drowsiness give way to seizures and coma. Fluid accumulates in the lungs compromising breathing; there is poor oxygen absorption from the air. Intensive treatment is necessary to prevent death.
- Accidental or intentional ingestion of benzene causes acute poisoning.
- Benzene is rapidly absorbed into the blood stream and travels to the brain with devastating effects.
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Benzene irritates the linings of the airways. Exposure to low concentration benzene vapors can cause inflammation of the nasal airways and throat. High-level exposure can severely damage the lungs causing fluid accumulation and bleeding, which is often fatal. Accidental and potentially life-threatening benzene inhalation injuries can occur in people who practice huffing--inhaling the vapors of chemical products to induce a recreational high.
- Benzene irritates the linings of the airways.
- Exposure to low concentration benzene vapors can cause inflammation of the nasal airways and throat.
Skin Disorders
Benzene is harmful to the skin. Exposure to low levels of benzene vapors may cause dermatitis--a local skin reaction characterized by dry, itchy, red skin. Highly concentrated benzene vapors or spills of liquid benzene on the skin can cause second-degree burns.
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Headaches, sleep disturbances, irritability, confusion, memory loss and nerve damage in the extremities (arms and legs) may occur with persistent exposure to benzene vapors. Short-term exposure to highly concentrated benzene vapors may cause decreased consciousness, stupor, seizures, coma and possibly death.
Pancytopenia
Chronic exposure to benzene can cause a serious bone marrow disorder called pancytopenia. A marked reduction in the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets occurs because the bone marrow--the site of all blood cell and platelet production--cannot produce sufficient quantities. Pancytopenia causes chronic anemia and increases risk for serious infections. The low platelet count may cause uncontrolled bleeding.
- Chronic exposure to benzene can cause a serious bone marrow disorder called pancytopenia.
- Pancytopenia causes chronic anemia and increases risk for serious infections.
Aplastic Anemia
Chronic benzene exposure may cause aplastic anemia, which is a more advanced form of pancytopenia. With this disorder, the bone marrow is so severely damaged that blood cell and platelet production drop to levels too low to sustain life. Transfusions are necessary to replace the blood cells not produced by the bone marrow. Bone marrow transplant is generally the best option for long-term survival with aplastic anemia.
- Chronic benzene exposure may cause aplastic anemia, which is a more advanced form of pancytopenia.
- Bone marrow transplant is generally the best option for long-term survival with aplastic anemia.
Leukemia
Protracted occupational or other exposure to benzene may cause leukemia--cancer of the white blood cells. The strongest association is with acute myelogenous leukemia followed by chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Regulations are now in place in the U.S. to control benzene exposure in the workplace and prevent occupationally induced leukemias.
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References
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: Benzene
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: Benzene, Health Effects
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: Benzene, Public Health Statement
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Occupational Health and Safety Guideline for Benzene, Potential Human Carcinogen
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Report on Carcinogens, 11th Edition: Benzene
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Facts about Benzene.
- Department of Environmental Quality - State of Oregon. Air Toxics of Concern in Oregon.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Control of Hazardous Air Pollutants from Mobile Sources: Final Rule to Reduce Mobile Source Air Toxics.
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. Benzene.
- World Health Organization. Exposure to Benzene: A Major Public Health Concern.
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Writer Bio
Dr. St. John is a medical writer and editor with more than 15 years experience in the field. She is a former medical officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.