How is benzene harmful

Quinol is oxidised to p-benzoquinone, which binds to vital cellular components or undergoes redox cycling to generate oxygen radicals; muconaldehyde, like p-benzoquinone, is toxic through depletion of intracellular glutathione.

Exposure to benzene may also induce the microsomal mixed function oxidase, cytochrome P IIE1, which is probably responsible for the oxygenation of benzene, but also has a propensity to generate oxygen radicals. The radiomimetic nature of benzene and its ability to induce different sites of neoplasia indicate that formation of oxygen radicals is a major cause of benzene toxicity, which involves multiple mechanisms including synergism between arylating and glutathione-depleting reactive metabolites and oxygen radicals.

If you or someone you love has been exposed to benzene, it is important to know the signs and symptoms of benzene poisoning. The following information will inform you about the effects of benzene and what to do in case you are exposed. Benzene is a colorless petroleum-based chemical that is used to manufacture industrial dyes, explosives, synthetic rubber, detergents, plastics and pesticides. It is also found in gasoline and the smoke that comes from cigarettes.

Benzene poisoning can be lethal because it causes the cells in the body to work incorrectly. Benzene exposure can cause bone marrow cells to not produce red blood cells or it can can cause the white blood cells of your immune system to fail. There is a window of time after smelling benzene during a leak to be able to take action or leave the area without any harm, but persistent exposure can be dangerous.

In addition, pre-existing medical conditions and age can play a large role in the severity of your benzene poisoning symptoms. As mentioned, Benzene can be found in gasoline and diesel fuel.

As such, it can be found outdoors as a result of industrial emissions, motor vehicle exhaust fumes, and tobacco smoke. In fact, one of the largest sources of benzene exposure is tobacco smoke. It is a common ingredient in many industrial solvents and can also be added to paints and lacquers. Some of the most common places you can find benzene indoors includes glues, paints, and detergents. It is not legal or safe for benzene to be used in home cleaning products, toys or equipment and is only fit for industrial purposes.

It can be released into air via sprays and aerosols, mists, or vapors which can be especially harmful in an agricultural setting. Some women who breathed high levels of benzene for many months had irregular menstrual periods and a decrease in the size of their ovaries.

It is not known whether benzene exposure affects the developing fetus in pregnant women or fertility in men. Animal studies have shown low birth weights, delayed bone formation, and bone marrow damage when pregnant animals breathed benzene.

Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia, cancer of the blood-forming organs. How you can protect yourself, and what to do if you are exposed to benzene First, if the benzene was released into the air, get fresh air by leaving the area where the benzene was released.

Moving to an area with fresh air is a good way to reduce the possibility of death from exposure to benzene in the air. If the benzene release was outside, move away from the area where the benzene was released. If the benzene release was indoors, get out of the building. Removing your clothing Quickly take off clothing that may have benzene on it. Any clothing that has to be pulled over the head should be cut off the body instead of pulled over the head.

If you are helping other people remove their clothing, try to avoid touching any contaminated areas, and remove the clothing as quickly as possible. Washing yourself As quickly as possible, wash any benzene from your skin with large amounts of soap and water.

Washing with soap and water will help protect people from any chemicals on their bodies. If your eyes are burning or your vision is blurred, rinse your eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes.

If you wear contacts, remove them after washing your hands and put them with the contaminated clothing. Do not put the contacts back in your eyes even if they are not disposable contacts. If you wear eyeglasses, wash them with soap and water. You can put your eyeglasses back on after you wash them. Disposing of your clothes After you have washed yourself, place your clothing inside a plastic bag.

Benzene is a potentially dangerous chemical. High levels of exposure can cause both short-term and long-term health effects. Consuming foods or fluids contaminated with high levels of benzene can cause vomiting, stomach irritation, dizziness, sleepiness, convulsions, and rapid heart rate. In extreme cases, inhaling or swallowing very high levels of benzene can be deadly.

Exposure to benzene liquid or vapor can irritate the skin, eyes, and throat. Skin exposure to benzene can result in redness and blisters. Long-term exposure to benzene mainly harms the bone marrow, the soft, inner parts of bones where new blood cells are made.

This can result in:. There is also some evidence that long-term exposure to benzene might harm reproductive organs. Some women who have breathed in high levels of benzene for many months have had irregular menstrual periods and ovary shrinkage, but it is not known for sure if benzene caused these effects. It is not known if benzene exposure affects the fetus in pregnant women or fertility in men.

OSHA limits exposure to benzene in the air in most workplaces to 1 ppm part per million during an average workday and a maximum of 5 ppm over any minute period. When working at potentially higher exposure levels, OSHA requires employers to provide personal protective equipment such as respirators. The EPA limits the percentage of benzene allowed in gasoline to an average of 0. The EPA limits concentrations of benzene in drinking water to 5 ppb parts per billion. Some states may have lower limits.

Stay away from cigarette smoke. If you are person who smokes, try to quit.