Neurobehavioral effects of exposure to trichloroethylene through a municipal water supply. Several tests can show whether you have been exposed to benzene. September is blood cancer awareness month, a time to honor and support those living with blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. What Should I Know Before Getting Genetic Testing? Do not handle the plastic bags yourself. Benzene can pass from the mother's blood to a fetus. 6. Tobacco smoke is another source of benzene in air, particularly indoors. Industrial processes are the main source of benzene in the environment. Signs and symptoms of excessive benzene exposure through either breathing it in or swallowing food and beverages containing it can differ from one another. Some of the topics we can assist with include: For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor. Public health goal for trichloroethylene in drinking water. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease International Agency for Research on Cancer. In 2020, there were roughly 19,940 cases of AML diagnosed, mostly in adults, according to the American Cancer Society. However, this test must also be done shortly after exposure, and it is not a reliable indicator of how much benzene you have been exposed to, because phenol is present in the urine from other sources (diet, environment). CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Benzene is commonly found in the environment. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Accessed at https://publications.iarc.fr/123 on January 25, 2023. Benzene and worker cancers: 'An American tragedy' EPA estimates that 10 ppb benzene in drinking water that is consumed regularly or exposure to 0.4 ppb in air over a lifetime could cause a risk of one additional cancer case for every 100,000 exposed persons. Benzene works by causing cells not to work correctly. How Are People Exposed to X-rays and Gamma Rays? What Happens During Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk? Measured levels of benzene in outdoor air have ranged from 0.02 to 34 parts of benzene per billion parts of air (ppb) (1 ppb is 1,000 times less than 1 ppm). 1. 7. It evaporates quickly whenexposed to air. It breaks down more slowly in water and soil, and can pass through the soil into underground water. PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 1. Carcinogenesis findings in animals were not reported conclusively until 1979. This type of cancer specifically affects the myeloid cells. What is Hairy Cell Leukemia-Variant (HCL-V)? If you are person who smokes,try to quit. The most important thing is for victims to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Rates ofleukemia, particularlyacute myeloid leukemia (AML), have been found to be higher in studies of workers exposed to high levels of benzene, such as those in the chemical, shoemaking, and oil refining industries. Various industries use benzene to make other chemicals, such as styrene (for Styrofoam and other plastics), cumene (for various resins), and cyclohexane (for nylon and synthetic fibers). These workers were exposed to levels of benzene in air far greater than the levels normally encountered by the general population. 5. If your eyes are burning or your vision is blurred, rinse your eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children can be affected by benzene exposure in the same ways as adults. Email: Contact CDC-INFO. Stock Your Kitchen with Healthy Ingredients, Excess Body Weight: A Major Health Issue in America, Normal Weight Ranges: Body Mass Index (BMI). Which cancers are associated with exposure to benzene? Leukemia Liver cancer Multiple myeloma End-stage renal disease Parkinson disease Scleroderma Health effects with evidence that is equipoise and above for causation for PCE: non-Hodgkin lymphoma End-stage renal disease Health effects with evidence that is equipoise and above for causation for benzene: Multiple myeloma 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 15-minute period. It is not known whether benzene will affect fertility in men. Integrated Risk Information System: Benzene (CASRN 71-43-2). Benzene can pass into air from water and soil surfaces. These links are based on studies with positive associations between exposures to these chemicals and development of health effects. The USEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)maintains the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), an electronic database of human health effects from exposure to various substances in the environment. We explain why and include pictures to help you identify the symptoms. We avoid using tertiary references. Benzene poisoning is treated with supportive medical care in a hospital setting. Alcohol and Cancer Risk Fact Sheet - NCI Benzene is found in air, water, and soil. A 2018 review notes that in 1987, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC . Blood counts of all components of the blood and examination of bone marrow are used to determine benzene exposure and its health effects. This includes people who work in chemical plants, oil refineries, and plastic or rubber manufacturing. But if you are concerned about benzene, you can limit your exposure in several ways . Benzene has been identified as a cause of acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults. Facts About Benzene. As many as 238,000 people may be occupationally exposed to benzene in the United States. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. 2003. at the National Institutes of Health, An official website of the United States government, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. However, most studies in people have not found an increased risk of cancers other than leukemia among those with higher exposures. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The American Cancer Society is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Bove FJ, Fulcomer MC, Klotz JB, Esmart J, et al. Public drinking water contamination and birth outcomes. Benzene is also commonly used as a solvent in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and is frequently used in the manufacturing of products, such as: People working in environments that manufacture benzene products are at the highest exposure risk. The Dysart Law Firm, P.C. Reduction in other components in the blood can cause excessive bleeding. It evaporates quickly when exposed to air. In 1974, IARC concluded that studies in experimental animals did not show evidence of carcinogenesis from exposure to benzene ().Subsequently, results from two long-term studies of experimental animals exposed to benzene that did report cancer were published by a research group at New York University (NYU) in the USA (Snyder et al., 1980, cited in IARC, 1982 . Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Massachusetts Health Research Institute. Benzene leaks from underground storage tanks or from hazardous waste sites containing benzene can contaminate well water. Most of the metabolites of benzene leave the body in the urine within 48 hours after exposure. The evidence for carcinogenicity of benzene in humans was evaluated by the IARC in 1982 as follows: "It is established that human exposure to commercial benzene or benzene-containing mixtures can cause damage to the haematopoietic system, including pancytopenia. Phone: 1-800-CDC-INFO 888-232-6348 (TTY) Some of the harmful effects of benzene exposure are caused by these metabolites. If you spill benzene on your skin, it may cause redness and sores. Tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water in Massachusetts and the risk of colon-rectum, lung, and other cancers. . Long-term exposure to benzene mainly harms the bone marrow, the soft, inner parts of bones where new blood cells are made. allergic skin reaction. Benzene and leukemia: An epidemiological risk assessment. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, What to do if youve been exposed to benzene, rivm.nl/en/tobacco/harmful-substances-in-tobacco-smoke/benzene, cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/benzene, cancer.org/healthy/cancer-causes/chemicals/benzene.html, aoemj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40557-018-0245-9, emergency.cdc.gov/agent/benzene/basics/facts.asp#, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3447593/, nhs.uk/conditions/acute-myeloid-leukaemia/symptoms/, Understanding Rashes and Bruising in Leukemia. CYP2E1 induction can increase the toxic or carcinogenic potency of very high doses of some VOCs (such as TCE and PCE). Occupational exposure to vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile and styrene and lung cancer risk (Europe). Mundt KA, Birk T, Burch MT. However, blood analyses are not useful when exposure levels are low. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that benzene is a known carcinogen. Can I avoid or limit my exposure to benzene? A lawsuit is often necessary to maximize financial settlements in cases of benzene exposure. Use common sense around any chemicals that might contain benzene. You must also consider any other chemicals you are exposed to and your age, sex, diet, family traits, lifestyle, and state of health. Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registration. In October, 2017, a Working Group of 27 scientists from 13 countries met at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France, to finalise their evaluation of the carcinogenicity of benzene. Systemic Exposures to Volatile Organic Compounds and Factors Benzene can pass from the mother?s blood to a fetus. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. If your doctor finds that you have been exposed to substantial amounts of benzene, ask whether your children might also have been exposed. All rights reserved. People can also be exposed to benzene in contaminated drinking water and some foods (although the levels are usually very low).