Benzene Exposure

There are many sources of exposure to benzene. While workplace exposure to benzene poses the greatest risk, environmental exposure to benzene, as well as benzene found in consumer products can affect people. Benzene inhalation is the most common exposure to benzene, though it can also be absorbed through the skin.

Occupational exposure to Benzene - Workers in various industries that make or use benzene may be at risk for being exposed to high levels of this carcinogenic chemical. Industries that involve the use of benzene include the rubber industry, oil refineries, chemical plants, shoe manufacturers, and gasoline related industries. In 1987, OSHA estimated that about 237,000 workers in the United States were potentially exposed to benzene, and it is not know if this number has substantially changed since then.

Environmental exposure to Benzene- Sources of benzene in the environment include gasoline, automobile exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, emissions from coke ovens and other industrial processes, and waste water from certain industries. Benzene is commonly found in air in both urban and rural areas but usually at low levels. Areas of heavy vehicular traffic, gasoline stations, and areas near industrial sources may have a higher air level of benzene. Cigarettes have been found to release between 50 and 150 micrograms of benzene per cigarette, making smoking and second-hand smoke sources of exposure to benzene. In addition, benzene has been identified in contaminated water and food.

Benzene found in cigarettes responsible for acute myeloid leukemia deaths
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill studies assessed the proportion of all types of leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia that is attributable to benzene in cigarette smoke. The researchers calculated that benzene is responsible for 8-48% of all smoking-induced leukemia deaths, as well as 12-58% of all smoking induced acute myelogenous leukemia. Other studies have concluded that benzene is most strongly associated with acute myelogenous leukemia. Benzene exposure affects industrial workers 10-100 times greater than smokers. OSHA and the EPA have set workplace benzene standards but the number of at risk benzene workers continues to remain high.

Consumer product exposure to Benzene - Some household products may contain some amount of benzene, such as glues, cleaning products, detergents, art supplies, and paint strippers.