Benzene Exposure Can Be Deadly: Here's Everything You Need to Know

Benzene—while it may not be as well-known as other hazardous chemicals, it’s extremely common in the United States. It’s so common, in fact, that outdoor air typically contains low levels of benzene from sources such as tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, and industrial emissions. In general, benzene can be metabolized in the liver over the course of a few days, but high levels of exposure can be incredibly dangerous.

Despite how common it is, few people really know what benzene is. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at benzene, the dangers it poses, and potential risks associated with benzene exposure. We’ll also examine how benzene exposure can and should be limited, especially in industrial settings.

What Is Benzene?

Benzene is a naturally occurring chemical produced by various processes, such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires. It is also a product of certain industrial activities and can be found in crude oil, cigarette smoke, and gasoline.

At room temperature, benzene is either a colorless or light-yellow liquid. It has a sweet odor and is highly flammable.

In the U.S., benzene is commonly used in the following industries:

• Plastics
• Resins
• Synthetic fibers
• Nylon
• Rubber
• Dye
• Drugs
• Detergent
• Pesticides

Workers in the maritime and construction industries are at high risk of benzene exposure, so much so that OSHA has outlined specific standards for those operating in these fields. We cover these standards in more detail below, but first, let's look at how people may be exposed to benzene. 

What Is the Most Common Route of Benzene Exposure?

Benzene is a highly volatile chemical, meaning it evaporates quickly into the air. Because of this, inhalation is by far the most common and dangerous route of exposure. Oil refinery workers, chemical manufacturers, rubber production employees, and even gas station attendants are particularly vulnerable to breathing in benzene vapors.

Once inhaled, benzene enters the bloodstream through the lungs, potentially leading to serious long-term health effects like leukemia and other blood disorders.

While inhalation is the most common type of benzene exposure, it's not the only one. Benzene can also enter the body through:

• Skin Contact: When in liquid form, benzene can be absorbed through the skin, especially with prolonged or repeated exposure. This is a risk for workers who handle benzene-containing products without proper protective gear.
• Ingestion: Though less common, benzene can contaminate food and drinking water, particularly near hazardous waste sites or underground fuel storage tanks. Accidental ingestion can occur in both occupational and environmental settings.

Common sources of benzene exposure include:

• Air emissions near oil refineries, chemical plants, or hazardous waste facilities
• Tobacco smoke, which contains measurable amounts of benzene
• Gasoline fumes, especially when refueling or working around fuel
• Industrial solvents and degreasers used in manufacturing and maintenance
• Contaminated water supplies near sites with chemical spills or underground storage tank leaks

Because of benzene’s ability to rapidly disperse in the air and its presence in so many industrial processes, minimizing inhalation risks is critical. Proper ventilation, respiratory protection, and regulatory oversight are essential for protecting those who work with or live near sources of benzene.

What Are the Symptoms of Benzene Exposure?

OSHA has warned about the dangers of long-term benzene exposure for years. And, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), benzene is considered a carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer in humans. Industrial workers involved in the manufacturing of benzene-containing products are at the highest risk.

The seriousness of benzene exposure and/or poisoning varies significantly based on the amount, type, and length of exposure, not to mention the age and overall health of the person exposed.

Symptoms of short-term inhalation exposure to benzene include:

• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Unconsciousness

Consuming foods or beverages that contain high levels of benzene can cause:

• Dizziness
• Convulsions
• Vomiting
• Irregular heartbeat

In larger quantities, or over longer periods of time, severe benzene exposure can lead to:

• Cancer, especially leukemia
• Blood disorders
• Anemia
• Excessive bleeding

Many symptoms emerge within minutes of exposure, so it is important to be aware of the signs of and the treatments for exposure to benzene.

What to Do If You Are Exposed to Benzene

If you believe you may have been exposed to benzene in the air, the first thing you should do is get fresh air. Leave the area where the benzene was released; step outdoors if the exposure occurred inside a building.

The next step is to remove clothing you were wearing while exposed to benzene. Be careful to avoid pulling clothing over your head. If the only way to get the clothing off is to pull it over your head, it’s better to cut it off instead. Clothing that has been contaminated by benzene cannot be washed; it must be properly disposed of.

Finally, wash your skin with soap and water to remove any traces of benzene. Eyeglasses, too, can be washed with soap and water, but contacts should be disposed of along with contaminated clothes.

For long-term benzene exposure, whether it’s several months, years, or even decades, see a doctor for treatment. Recent exposures may show up in blood or breath tests. However, these tests cannot be used to determine just how much benzene a person has been exposed to, or for how long.

The Link Between Benzene Exposure & Cancer

Classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization (WHO), as carcinogenic to humans, benzene has been shown in numerous studies to increase the risk of certain cancers by up to 40%, even with low-level exposure. Other agencies and programs agree on the chemical’s classification, including the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which maintains the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS).

Scientific research and decades of occupational health data have firmly established a link between benzene exposure and several types of blood and bone marrow cancers. Benzene interferes with the normal function of cells, particularly those in the bone marrow, where it can disrupt the production of healthy blood cells. This damage can lead to serious, often fatal diseases.

The cancers most strongly associated with benzene exposure include:

• Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): This is the most well-documented cancer linked to benzene. AML progresses rapidly and affects the myeloid line of blood cells, leading to symptoms like fatigue, infections, and bleeding. Occupational exposure to benzene is a recognized risk factor for AML.
• Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL): While more common in children, adults exposed to high levels of benzene may also develop ALL. This cancer affects the lymphoid line of cells and causes a rapid increase in immature white blood cells, crowding out normal cells in the bone marrow.
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): This slower-progressing leukemia is more common in older adults and has been observed in workers with long-term benzene exposure. Though less aggressive than AML or ALL, CLL can significantly impact quality of life and requires ongoing treatment and monitoring.
• Multiple Myeloma: This cancer forms in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell found in bone marrow. Studies have shown elevated rates of multiple myeloma in people exposed to benzene over time, especially in industrial or petrochemical settings.
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): Benzene has been linked to an increased risk of developing various subtypes of NHL. This group of cancers affects the lymphatic system and can vary widely in severity and progression. Exposure to benzene may contribute to the mutations that initiate lymphoma.

These cancers can take years or even decades to develop after exposure, which makes early detection and medical monitoring critical for anyone who has worked in high-risk industries such as oil and gas, manufacturing, transportation, or chemical processing. Benzene exposure is often chronic and cumulative, meaning the risk increases with prolonged or repeated contact.

How Can Benzene Exposure Be Limited?

The best way to protect against benzene exposure in the workplace is with respiratory protection, as the chemical evaporates very quickly into the air, forming a vapor that may gather and sink into low-lying areas.

For those who are at the highest risk of significant exposure to benzene, namely industrial workers, it’s the responsibility of the companies maintaining the worksites to effectively protect their employees from the dangers of this carcinogenic chemical. Safer working conditions can be attained with proper education and training on the potential hazards associated with benzene exposure, as well as providing effective protective equipment to those workers who work closely with it.

Unfortunately, too many workers are unaware of the health risks associated with their work environment, including the dangers of benzene exposure. OSHA urges companies to not only limit benzene exposure as much as possible, but also to arm their employees with the knowledge of how to best protect themselves.

Are Benzene Levels Regulated?

Due to its dangerous effects, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established various exposure limits to help protect workers in industrial, manufacturing, and other high-risk settings. OSHA standard 1910.1028 mandates that employers must limit employee exposure to benzene, monitor workspace air quality, provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers, and ensure medical surveillance for those potentially exposed to benzene.

OSHA outlines the following benzene exposure limits:

• Workers may not be exposed to more than 1 part per million (ppm) over 8 hours.
• Workers may not be exposed to more than 5 ppm in any 15-minute period.

Additionally, OSHA requires employers to regularly test air where benzene exposure may occur, as well as notify workers of the results. Employers must also use engineering controls (like ventilation) and safe work practices to lower exposure. Respirators and protective clothing/PPE must be provided when needed.

Regular medical checkups are required for workers exposed to benzene, and special rules apply during equipment failures or benzene spills.

Protecting Workers from Harmful Benzene Exposure

Employers are legally and morally obligated to protect their employees from known workplace hazards, including toxic substances like benzene. Under OSHA regulations and various state and federal laws, employers must ensure that workers are not exposed to harmful levels of dangerous chemicals and must implement strict safety protocols when such exposure is unavoidable.

This includes:

• Providing adequate protective equipment
• Ensuring proper ventilation
• Monitoring air quality
• Training workers on the risks associated with benzene and how to handle it safely

Benzene is a recognized carcinogen, and long-term exposure can lead to serious, life-altering illnesses, such as leukemia, bone marrow failure, and other blood disorders. Because of these risks, industries that utilize or produce benzene—such as oil and gas companies, manufacturers, chemical plants, and refineries—must follow stringent safety standards. When employers cut corners to save time or money, they put their workers in grave danger. This kind of negligence isn’t just unethical. It’s illegal.

At Arnold & Itkin, we believe that no one should have to suffer the consequences of preventable toxic exposure. If a company fails to warn its employees about benzene risks, neglects to provide proper safety measures, or does not respond appropriately to reported hazards, it can and should be held accountable.

Employees have the right to a safe working environment, and when employers fail to uphold that right, injured workers and their families deserve justice.