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Benzene Exposure
Benzene is a clear, colorless aromatic liquid that is highly flammable and is used in many industries, including, the petroleum industry, the petrochemical industry, the steel industry, the industrial chemical industry, the alkalies manufacturing industry and by the chlorine manufacturers.
Workers employed in industries using or producing benzene (i.e., petrochemical companies; petroleum refining and coke and coal chemical manufacturing; rubber tire manufacturing; and companies involved in the storage or transport of benzene and petroleum products containing benzene) have the greatest likelihood of exposure.
Another use of Benzene is as a solvent in printing, paints, and dry cleaning.
Exposure to benzene has been linked to blood disorders like leukemia.
OSHA ACTION
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that approximately 238,000 workers in the United States may be exposed to benzene during refining operations; gasoline storage, shipment, and retail operations; chemical manufacturing; and plastics and rubber manufacturing.
In addition, it has been reported that tank truck drivers and able bodied seamen on tanker vessels and ships have been exposed to unsafe levels of airborne benzene laden chemicals.
In particular, Able Bodied Seamen have been exposed to unsafe levels of benzene while performing their jobs - cleaning tanks or unloading cargo for their employer, and, have subsequently developed serious health problems.
Benzene is used as a building block for making plastics, rubber, resins and synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester. Other uses include: as a solvent in printing, paints, dry cleaning, etc.
Benzene may be used under a variety of trade names, including: Benzol 90, Pyrobenzol, Polystream, Coal naphtha, Phene.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services classifies Benzene as carcinogenic. Breathing very high levels of benzene can result in death.
Some signs of exposure to Benzene may include drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, tremors, confusion, and unconsciousness.
In addition, eating or drinking foods containing high levels of benzene can cause vomiting, irritation of the stomach, dizziness, sleepiness, convulsions, rapid heart rate, and death.
It has been reported that a major effect of benzene from long-term exposure is on the blood. It does not appear that there is a specific antidote or medication for benzene poisoning.
The most important thing is for victims to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
Benzene may cause harmful effects on the bone marrow and can cause a decrease in red blood cells leading to anemia (blood disorder). It can also cause excessive bleeding and can affect the immune system, increasing the chance for infection.
BENZENE SIDE EFFECTS
The effects of long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air may cause leukemia, a potentially fatal cancer of the blood-forming organs (blood disorder).
In addition, Benzene may cause Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), Secondary aplastic anemia, Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), Myelodysplasia; Myelodysplastic syndrome or Non-hodkins lymphoma.
Additionally, benzene has been connected to a rare form of kidney cancer in two separate studies, one involving tank truck drivers, and the other involving seamen on tanker vessels, both carrying benzene laden chemicals.
TESTING FOR BENZENE EXPOSURE
There are several tests that may be administered to determine if you have been exposed to benzene, including: Benzene can be detected by measuring benzene in the breath - which must be done shortly after exposure.
Benzene can also be measured in the blood - note that benzene disappears rapidly from the blood so measurements are accurate only for recent exposures.
In any event, if you work or worked in any one of the above-referenced industries, believe you may have been exposed to high levels of benzene and have experienced any of the above-listed symptoms, please immediately consult your doctor about any health issues or questions you may have.
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