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\nCAS #:
71-43-2
RTECS #: CY1400000
\nUN #: 1114 (Guide 130)
\nCommon Names:
\nClear, colorless to light yellow liquid at room temperature. Benzene is a solid below 42\u00b0F (5.6\u00b0C).
\nBenzene is used to make chemicals used in the manufacture of industrial products such as dyes, detergents, explosives, pesticides, synthetic rubber, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. Benzene is found in gasoline and trace amounts are found in cigarette smoke. Benzene has been banned as an ingredient in products intended for use in the home, including toys. Benzene has a sweet, aromatic, gasoline-like odor. Most individuals can begin to smell benzene in air at 1.5 to 4.7 ppm. The odor threshold generally provides adequate warning for acutely hazardous exposure concentrations but is inadequate for more chronic exposures.
\nBenzene can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Inhalation is an important route of exposure.
\n First Responders should use a NIOSH-certified Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) with a Level A protective suit when entering an area with an unknown contaminant or when entering an area where the concentration of the contaminant is unknown. Level A protection should be used until monitoring results confirm the contaminant and the concentration of the contaminant.
NOTE: Safe use of protective clothing and equipment requires specific skills developed through training and experience.
Select when the greatest level of skin, respiratory, and eye protection is required. This is the maximum protection for workers in danger of exposure to unknown chemical hazards or levels above the IDLH or greater than the AEGL-2.
\nSelect when the highest level of respiratory protection is necessary but a lesser level of skin protection is required. This is the minimum protection for workers in danger of exposure to unknown chemical hazards or levels above the IDLH or greater than AEGL-2. It differs from Level A in that it incorporates a non-encapsulating, splash-protective, chemical-resistant splash suit that provides Level A protection against liquids but is not airtight.
\nSelect when the contaminant and concentration of the contaminant are known and the respiratory protection criteria factors for using Air Purifying Respirators (APR) or Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) are met. This level is appropriate when decontaminating patient/victims.
\nSelect when the contaminant and concentration of the contaminant are known and the concentration is below the appropriate occupational exposure limit or less than AEGL-1 for the stated duration times.
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Joos PE, Godoi AFL, De Jong R, de Zeeuw J, Van Grieken R [2003]. Trace analysis of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene isomers in environmental samples by low-pressure gas chromatography\u2014ion trap mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 985(1-2): 191-196.
Kokosa JM, Przyjazny A [2003]. Headspace microdrop analysis\u2014an alternative test method for gasoline diluent and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes in used engine oils. J Chromatogr A 983(1-2):205-214.
Leong ST, Laortanakul P [in press]. Indicators of benzene emissions and exposure in Bangkok street. Environ Res. Available online 3 April 2003.
Ljungkvist GM, Nordlinder RG [1995]. A field method for sampling benzene in end-exhaled air. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 56(7):693-697.
NIOSH [1994]. NMAM Method 1501 Hydrocarbons, aromatic. In: NIOSH Manual of analytical methods. 4th ed. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 94-113.
OSHA [1980]. Benzene Method 12. Salt Lake City, UT: U.S. Department of Labor, Organic Methods Evaluation Branch, OSHA Analytical Laboratory.
Saba A, Cuzzola A, Raffaelli A, Pucci S, Salvadori P [2001]. Determination of benzene at trace levels in air by a novel method based on solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 15(24):2404-2408.
Thomas TC, Hossain M, Richardson A, Biddle VL [1992]. A comparison of 4 prospective analytical methods for benzene analysis in jet fuel environments. Abstracts of Papers of the American Chemical Society 203:39-CHAS Part 1.
Tsai PJ, Lee CC, Chen MR, Shih TS, Lai CH, Liou SH [2002]. Predicting the contents of BTEX and MTBE for the three types of tollbooth at a highway toll station via the direct and indirect approaches. Atmos Environ 36(39-40):5961-5969.
Verma DK, Saunders GA, Cheng WK [2001]. A laboratory evaluation of the accuracy and precision of the photovac snapshot portable gas chromatograph and the Drager Chip Measurement System monitor for benzene in air measurements. Appl Occup Environ Hyg 16(8):832-840.
Warneke C, van der Veen C, Luxembourg S, de Gouw JA, Kok A [2001]. Measurements of benzene and toluene in ambient air using proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry: calibration, humidity, dependence, and field intercomparison. Int J Mass Spec 207(3):167-182.
Vogt F, Tacke M, Jakusch M, Mizaikoff B [2000]. A UV spectroscopic method for monitoring aromatic hydrocarbons dissolved in water. Anal Chim Acta 422(2):187-198.
Wang Z, Li K, Fingas M, Sigouin L, M?nard L [2002]. Characterization and source identification of hydrocarbons in water samples using multiple analytical techniques. J Chromatogr A 971(1-2):173-184.
Central nervous system (CNS) depression can occur immediately following inhalation of benzene vapors. Gastrointestinal (GI) irritation and CNS depression can occur between 30 and 60 minutes after benzene has been ingested. Loss of consciousness usually resolves once the patient/victim has been removed from the source of exposure, but may be prolonged. Patient/victims who have ingested benzene must be watched for a minimum of 72 hours to rule out the possibility of aspiration pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs caused by inhalation of a chemical). Full recovery from benzene exposure may take from 1 \u2013 4 weeks.
\nBenzene vapors are irritating to the respiratory tract and eyes. Breathing benzene vapors results in adverse health effects related to the central nervous system including drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headache, lightheadedness, nausea, tremors, impaired gait, confusion, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, respiratory depression, coma, and possibly death. Ingestion of benzene causes irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, dizziness, sleepiness, seizures, rapid heart rate, and death.
\nThe purpose of decontamination is to make an individual and/or their equipment safe by physically removing toxic substances quickly and effectively. Care should be taken during decontamination, because absorbed agent can be released from clothing and skin as a gas. Your Incident Commander will provide you with decontaminants specific for the agent released or the agent believed to have been released.
\nThe following are recommendations to protect the first responders from the release area:
\nThe following methods can be used to decontaminate an individual:
\nInitial treatment is primarily supportive of respiratory and cardiovascular function.
\nThere is no antidote for benzene toxicity.
\nPatient/victims with significant exposure to benzene should be followed for up to 72 hours to monitor for the development of delayed effects, including the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema).
\nLong-term adverse health effects caused by exposure to moderate to high levels of benzene may include: trouble walking (ataxia), excessive nervousness and irritability, and shortness of breath. These adverse health effects may last up to 2 weeks. Additional adverse health effects may include abnormal heart rhythms and yellow coloration of the skin. These effects may persist for up to 4 weeks.
\nBenzene is carcinogenic to humans. It has been associated with cancer of the blood (leukemia), which may occur with chronic exposures to benzene of 10 ppm. Information is inconclusive but suggestive of developmental toxicity and reproductive toxicity risk with chronic or repeated exposure to benzene. Adverse health effects due to long-term benzene exposure are non-specific. Effects include fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, loss of weight, and weakness. Repeated or prolonged skin contact with liquid benzene can remove the natural oils from the skin, causing it to crack and peel. Repeated exposure to levels of benzene below 200 ppm may cause chronic CNS effects (headache, drowsiness, and nervousness). Chronic benzene exposure in the workplace has been associated with blood (hematologic) disorders, such as low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia), absence of red blood cells (aplastic anemia), and loss of all types of blood cells due to bone marrow damage.
\n\n | \n10 min | \n30 min | \n60 min | \n4 hr | \n8 hr | \n
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AEGL 1 (discomfort, non-disabling) \u2013 ppm | \n 130 ppm | \n73 ppm | \n52 ppm | \n18 ppm | \n9.0 ppm | \n
AEGL 2 (irreversible or other serious, long-lasting effects or impaired ability to escape) \u2013 ppm | \n 2,000* ppm | \n1,100 ppm | \n800 ppm | \n400 ppm | \n200 ppm | \n
AEGL 3 (life-threatening effects or death) \u2013 ppm | \n ** | \n5,600* ppm | \n4,000* ppm | \n2,000* ppm | \n990 ppm | \n
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) = 14,000 ppm
* = >10% LEL; ** = >50% LEL
AEGL 3 \u2013 10 mins = ** 9,700 ppm
For values denoted as * safety considerations against the hazard(s) of explosion(s) must be taken into account.
For values denoted as ** extreme safety considerations against the hazard(s) of explosion(s) must be taken into account.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Interim AEGLs are established following review and consideration by the National Advisory Committee for AEGLs (NAC/AEGL) of public comments on Proposed AEGLs. Interim AEGLs are available for use by organizations while awaiting NRC/NAS peer review and publication of Final AEGLs. Changes to Interim values and Technical Support Documents may occur prior to publication of Final AEGL values. In some cases, revised Interim values may be posted on this Web site, but the revised Interim Technical Support Document for the chemical may be subject to change. (Further information is available through AEGL Process).
\nThe following methods can be used to decontaminate the environment/spillage disposal:
\nAgents can seep into the crevices of equipment making it dangerous to handle. The following methods can be used to decontaminate equipment:
\n9.24 eV
Alcohol
Carbon disulfide
Chlorides
Oils
In the event of a poison emergency, call the poison center immediately at 1-800-222-1222. If the person who is poisoned cannot wake up, has a hard time breathing, or has convulsions, call 911 emergency services.
\nFor information on who to contact in an emergency, see the CDC website at emergency.cdc.gov or call the CDC public response hotline at (888) 246-2675 (English), (888) 246-2857 (Espa\u00f1ol), or (866) 874-2646 (TTY).
\nThe user should verify compliance of the cards with the relevant STATE or TERRITORY legislation before use. NIOSH, CDC 2003.
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