how long does benzene take to cause cancer

The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present. Breathing benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and unconsciousness; long-term benzene exposure causes effects on the bone marrow and can cause anemia and leukemia. Benzene can also be absorbed through the skin during contact with a source such as gasoline, but because liquid benzene evaporates quickly, this is less common. Several tests can show whether you have been exposed to benzene. It is not known whether benzene exposure affects the developing fetus in pregnant women or fertility in men. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Vapors (or gases) from products that contain benzene, such as glues, paints, furniture wax, and detergents, can also be a source of exposure. Power Lines, Electrical Devices, and Extremely Low Frequency Radiation, Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), and Related Chemicals, Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Cancer Risk. Feldman RG, Chirico-Post J, Proctor SP. You may be exposed by breathing, eating, or drinking the substance, or by skin contact. This happens because: Permanent brain damage occurs; The heart stops; The lungs stop working; People who have regular exposure to low levels of benzene can also become sick. 13. 19. What Should I Know Before Getting Genetic Testing? It can usually be cured, but the disease is a major health concern. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your community or state health or environmental quality department or: For more information, contact: Its a good idea to talk with a doctor if you think youve had long-term exposure to benzene. Performing CPR on someone who has swallowed benzene may cause them to vomit. Rodenbeck SE, Sanderson LM, Rene A. Don't smoke and avoid exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. 1988. Public health goal for tetrachloroethylene in drinking water. Benzene has been found in at least 1,000 of the 1,684 National Priority List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1999. Benzene is slightly soluble in water and can pass through the soil into underground water. About half of the exposure to benzene in the United States results from smoking tobacco or from exposure to tobacco smoke. Am J Epidemiol 141:850-62. Drinking water contaminants and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a Review. What is benzene? OSHA regulates levels of benzene in the workplace. Similarly, limits on the amount of benzene allowed in gasoline have contributed to reduced exposures. Outdoor air contains low levels of benzene from gasoline fumes, secondhand smoke, and other sources. After exposure to benzene, several factors determine whether harmful health effects will occur, as well as the type and severity of such health effects. 14. What should I do if I've been exposed to benzene? Animal studies have shown low birth weights, delayed bone formation, and bone marrow damage when pregnant animals breathed benzene. In other words, equipoise and above means that there is enough research to support a link between the health effect and the exposure, but there is not enough research to definitively conclude that exposure causes the health effect. First, if the benzene was released into the air, get fresh air by leaving the area where the benzene was released. These effects can disrupt normal blood production and cause a decrease in important blood components. at the National Institutes of Health, An official website of the United States government, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include: conjunctival irritation. Accessed at https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=38&toxid=14 on January 25, 2023. Can I avoid or limit my exposure to benzene? If the benzene release was outside, move away from the area where the benzene was released. Benzene levels in the air can be elevated by emissions from burning coal and oil, benzene waste and storage operations, motor vehicle exhaust, and evaporation from gasoline service stations. Benzene is produced by both natural and man-made processes. Long-term benzene exposure can harm your bone marrow and blood cells. 2003. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010. The test is useful only when you are exposed to benzene in air at levels of 10 ppm or greater. For more information on evacuation during a chemical emergency, see . (2019). Sacramento, California. Most information on effects of long-term exposure to benzene are from studies of workers employed in industries that make or use benzene. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that benzene is a known carcinogen. Email: Contact CDC-INFO. Benzene was first discovered and isolated from coal tar in the 1800s. Benzene, IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Volume 100F. 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). . Exposure to benzene increases the risk of developing leukemia and other blood disorders. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. In 2020, there were roughly 19,940 cases of AML diagnosed, mostly in adults, according to the American Cancer Society. 1999. Chamblee, GA 30341-3717 What is benzene? Several tests can show if you have been exposed to benzene. The link between benzene and cancer has been scientifically proven, and benzene is classed as a carcinogen by major health organizations around the globe, including the: This article will look closely at the connection between benzene and leukemia. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. 1995. Report on carcinogens. Two main types of studies are used to try to figure out if a substance or exposure causes cancer. What is Hairy Cell Leukemia-Variant (HCL-V)? The seriousness of poisoning caused by benzene depends on the amount, route, and length of time of exposure, as well as the age and preexisting medical condition of the exposed person. A brief review of relationship between occupational benzene exposure and hematopoietic cancer. Learn about nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs), how doctors test for them, what can cause a high NRBC count, and what your test results might mean. People with benzene-contaminated tap water can be exposed from drinking the water or eating foods prepared with the water. Dial 911 and explain what has happened. Benzene is a widely used chemical formed from both natural processes and human activities. Seek medical attention right away. Washing with soap and water will help protect people from any chemicals on their bodies. It is important you understand this information because this substance may harm you. Benzene is a major component of gasoline and used in many manufacturing processes. Medical Tests in Your 20s and 30s. This information is important because this substance may harm you. What is benzene? At our National Cancer Information Center trained Cancer Information Specialists can answer questions 24 hours a day, every day of the year to empower you with accurate, up-to-date information to help you make educated health decisions. 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. Referrals to patient-related programs or resources, Donations, website, or event-related assistance. This can weaken your immune system and make it difficult for your body to fight infections. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy. Benzene is very poisonous. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. The Department of Health and Human Services has determined that benzene is a known carcinogen (can cause cancer). CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. 3. Blood counts of all components of the blood and examination of bone marrow are used to determine benzene exposure and its health effects. Sacramento, California. People living in cities or industrial areas are generally exposed to higher levels of benzene in air than those living in rural areas. People who breathe in high levels of benzene may develop the following signs and symptoms within minutes to several hours: Drowsiness Dizziness Rapid or irregular heartbeat Headaches Tremors Confusion Unconsciousness Death (at very high levels) Exposure of the general population to benzene mainly occurs through breathing air that contains benzene. dyspnea. You can be exposed to a substance only when you come in contact with it. Benzene is commonly found in air, but the levels in most places are usually very low. Nonsmokers can also be exposed to benzene if they inhale secondhand smoke. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. Grosse Y, Baan R, Straif K, Secretan B, et al. If the benzene release was indoors, get out of the building. Public drinking water contamination and birth outcomes. Its vapor is heavier than air and may sink into low-lying areas. Benzene is also a natural part of crude oil and gasoline (and therefore motor vehicle exhaust), as well ascigarette smoke. Today, benzene is made mostly from petroleum. Treatment Skin cancer -- abnormal cell changes in the outer layer of skin -- is by far the most common cancer in the world. High levels are known to cause short-term and long-term health effects. Do not handle the plastic bags yourself. IARC classifies benzene as carcinogenic to humans, based on sufficient evidence that it causes acute myeloid leukemia (AML). What expert agencies say Does benzene cause any other health problems? You are exposed to benzene in the outdoor environment, in the workplace, and in the home. Some regulations and recommendations for benzene include the following: EPA has set 5 ppb as the maximum permissible level of benzene in drinking water. One part per million is approximately equal to one drop in 40 gallons. Which cancers are associated with exposure to benzene? Benzene is considered to be a cancer-causing chemical. Are Some People More Likely to Get Skin Damage from the Sun? Exposure to benzene, a known carcinogen, may cause abnormalities in the DNA that controls the development of blood cells in your bone marrow. In this pooled analysis, we examined the risk of five LH cancers relative to lower levels of benzene exposure in petroleum workers. What Do the Results of My NRBC Blood Test Mean? This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about benzene. A low white blood cell count, which can lower the bodys ability to fight infections and might even be life-threatening. Carcinogenicity of 1,3-butadiene, ethylene oxide, vinyl chloride, vinyl fluoride, and vinyl bromide. Anything that touches the contaminated clothing should also be placed in the bag. Industry exploited this "discrepancy" to discredit the use of animal bioassays as surrogates for human exposure experience. Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registration, Health effects with sufficient evidence for causation for TCE, Health effects with sufficient evidence for causation for PCE, Health effects with sufficient evidence for causation for benzene, Health effects with sufficient evidence for causation for vinyl chloride, Health effects with evidence that is equipoise and above for causation for TCE, Health effects with evidence that is equipoise and above for causation for PCE, Health effects with evidence that is equipoise and above for causation for benzene, Health effects with positive findings in at least one study that evaluated exposure to TCE and/or PCE, Health effects with positive findings in at least one study that evaluated exposure to benzene, Health effects with positive findings in at least one study that evaluated exposure to vinyl chloride, ATSDR Assessment of the Evidence for the Drinking Water Contaminants at Camp Lejeune and Specific Cancers and Other Diseases, https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/lejeune/activities.html, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Community Assistance Panel (CAP) and Media, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Final Rule. These are cells that give rise to certain types of white blood cells (WBCs). When the local or state health department or emergency personnel arrive, tell them what you did with your clothes. The most common problems are blood diseases . Select theLiveChat button at the bottom of the page. Pregnancy outcome following gestational exposure to organic solvents: a prospective controlled study. 8. Once in the bloodstream, benzene travels throughout your body and can be temporarily stored in the bone marrow and fat. People are exposed to benzene primarily by breathing air that contains the chemical. These industries include benzene production (petrochemicals, petroleum refining, and coke and coal chemical manufacturing), rubber tire manufacturing, and storage or transport of benzene and petroleum products containing benzene. CYP2E1 induction, however, may increase the potency of slowly metabolized VOCs, such as PCE. Phone: 1-800-CDC-INFO 888-232-6348 (TTY) National Toxicology Program (NTP). Leakage from underground gasoline storage tanks or from landfills and hazardous waste sites that contain benzene can result in benzene contamination of well water. It is used mainly to make other chemicals, including plastics, resins, lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. These clinics specialize in recognizing, evaluating, and treating illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. The benzene in indoor air comes from products that contain benzene such as glues, paints, furniture wax, and detergents. These links are based on studies with positive associations between exposures to these chemicals and development of health effects. Benzene is formed from natural processes, such as volcanoes and forest fires, but most people are exposed to benzene through human activities. (The bone marrow is where new blood cells are made.) Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? We avoid using tertiary references. Breathing very high levels of benzene can result in death, while high levels can cause drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, tremors, confusion, and unconsciousness. Occupational exposure to benzene. Benzene has the strongest link to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Industrial discharge, disposal of products containing benzene, and gasoline leaks from underground storage tanks release benzene into water and soil. In the body, benzene is converted to products called metabolites. In the case of permitted digital reproduction, please credit the National Cancer Institute as the source and link to the original NCI product using the original product's title; e.g., Benzene was originally published by the National Cancer Institute., National Cancer Institute Tobacco smoke is a common source of benzene, as the chemical is released when tobacco is burned. Any clothing that has to be pulled over the head should be cut off the body instead of pulled over the head. The average smoker (32 cigarettes per day) takes in about 1.8 milligrams (mg) of benzene per day. For people exposed to relatively high levels of benzene, complete blood analyses can be used to monitor possible changes related to exposure. Other natural sources include gas emissions from volcanoes and forest fires. This includes people who work in chemical plants, oil refineries, and plastic or rubber manufacturing. Benzene is widely used in the United States; it ranks in the top 20 chemicals for production volume. Benzene is a colorless or light-yellow liquid chemical at room temperature. PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 1. The EPA limits concentrations of benzene in drinking water to 5 ppb (parts per billion). Your 40s and 50s: Managing Health Changes. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Listed below are the health effects where the evidence is sufficient to conclude that a causal relationship is at least as likely as not, but not sufficient to conclude that a causal relationship exists (equipoise and above) in people exposed occupationally or environmentally to the chemicals detected in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune. Benzene, Report on Carcinogens, Fifteenth Edition. But if you are concerned about benzene, you can limit your exposure in several ways . If benzene touches the skin, it can result in redness and blisters. A decrease in red blood cells can lead to anemia. The harmful effects of benzene are well known. Studies in experimental animals. Chiu WA, Jinot J, Scott CS, Makris SL et al. Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences Also, if you are sure the person has swallowed benzene, do not attempt CPR. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Breathing in unusually high doses of benzene can cause difficulty in thinking, changes in heart function, unconsciousness, or death. The EPA limits the percentage of benzene allowed in gasoline to a yearly average of 0.62% by volume (with a maximum of 1.3%). It has a sweet odor and is highly flammable. For the most current information, check with the federal agency or organization that provides it. 29:220-229. There is a test for measuring benzene in the breath; this test must be done shortly after exposure. If you think you may have been exposed to benzene, you should remove your clothing, rapidly wash your entire body with soap and water, and get medical care as quickly as possible. If you wear contacts, remove them after washing your hands and put them with the contaminated clothing. 15. This research was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute on Drug Abuse under award nos. Moving to an area with fresh air is a good way to reduce the possibility of death from exposure to benzene in the air. Some studies have also suggested links tochildhood leukemia(particularly AML) as well asacute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL),chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and other blood-related cancers (such asmultiple myelomaandnon-Hodgkin lymphoma) in adults. However, most studies in people have not found an increased risk of cancers other than leukemia among those with higher exposures. TheEPA classifies benzene as a known human carcinogen. Smokers take in 10 times more benzene a day than do nonsmokers. Federal regulations limit exposure to benzene in the workplace (see below). In extreme cases, inhaling or swallowing very high levels of benzene can be deadly. Cancer.org is provided courtesy of the Leo and Gloria Rosen family. Auto exhaust and industrial emissions account for about 20% of the total national exposure to benzene. 1995. headache. 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. Excessive exposure to benzene can be harmful to the immune system, increasing the chance for infection and perhaps lowering the body's defense against cancer. Exposure to benzene has been associated with development of a particular type of leukemia called acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The amount of phenol in urine has been used to check for benzene exposure in workers. Most people can begin to smell benzene in air at approximately 60 parts of benzene per million parts of air (ppm) and recognize it as benzene at 100 ppm. Certain metabolites of benzene, such as phenol, muconic acid, and S-phenyl-mercapturic acid can be measured in the urine. Brief exposure (510 minutes) to very high levels of benzene in air (10,00020,000 ppm) can result in death. These factors include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and how you come in contact with it. Anemia (a low red blood cell count), which can cause a person to feel weak and tired. This finding raised the question of whether formaldehyde exposure could also cause cancer in humans. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Even if youre not experiencing side effects, its helpful for your doctor to know whether youve been exposed to benzene, especially over the long term. These tests can only detect recent exposures to benzene. For more information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-800-232-4636. Your 60s and Up: Healthy Body, Sharp Mind. These people had higher risks of some, but not all cancers. Khan HA. The air around hazardous waste sites or gas stations can contain higher levels of benzene than in other areas. Benzene can pass from the mother?s blood to a fetus. 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. Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program. If your doctor finds that you have been exposed to substantial amounts of benzene, ask whether your children might also have been exposed. Arch Environ Health 55:188194. Featured: Have cancer and want to quit smoking? Benzene evaporates into air very quickly and dissolves slightly in water. Environ Health 43: 143-148. The health effects that may result from eating foods or drinking liquids containing lower levels of benzene are not known. If you wear eyeglasses, wash them with soap and water. Products over the limit set by the FDA are considered unsafe and arent allowed to be sold in the United States. Environ Health Perspect 107(4):265-71. Benzene can pass from the mother's blood to a fetus. Benzene is a colorless chemical formed by natural processes, such as volcanoes and forest fires, as well as by human-made processes. 2009. The analysis found 44 batches contained benzene levels of at least 0.1 parts per million (ppm). This section discusses potential health effects in humans from exposures during the period from conception to maturity at 18 years of age. Critical review of the epidemiological literature on occupational exposure to perchloroethylene and cancer. 2003. No specific antidote exists for benzene poisoning. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Vol 97: 1,3-Butadiene, Ethylene Oxide and Vinyl Halides (Vinyl Fluoride, Vinyl Chloride and Vinyl Bromide). Families are encouraged not to smoke in their house, in enclosed environments, or near their children. Where is benzene found? (A substance that causes cancer or helps cancer grow is called acarcinogen.) Reading Time: 26 minutes Bloated and bed-ridden, his skin browned by blood transfusions, John Thompson succumbed to leukemia on November 11, 2009. Benzene in your eyes may cause general irritation and damage to your cornea. Introduction Benzene, the commercial use of which dates to the late nineteenth century, was one of the earliest industrial chemicals demonstrated to affect the health of large numbers of workers [ 1, 2 ]. Service. Natural sources of benzene include volcanoes and forest fires. Scientists use many tests to protect the public from harmful effects of toxic chemicals and to find ways for treating persons who have been harmed. People are exposed mainly by breathing in air containing benzene. In most cases, people will stop feeling these effects when they are no longer exposed and begin to breathe fresh air. This public health statement tells you about benzene and the effects of exposure to it. It has been associated with cancer of the blood (leukemia), which may occur with chronic exposures to benzene of 10 ppm. 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. ToxFAQs for Benzene. Accessed at https://iris.epa.gov/ChemicalLanding/&substance_nmbr=276 on January 25, 2023. These include the rubber industry, oil refineries, chemical plants, shoe manufacturers, and gasoline-related industries. Do X-rays and Gamma Rays Cause Health Problems Other than Cancer? However, deaths have occurred as long as 3 days after the poisoning. The major sources of benzene exposure are tobacco smoke, automobile service stations, exhaust from motor vehicles, and industrial emissions. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Such changes are commonly found in human leukemia cells. can be enforced by law. If your eyes are burning or your vision is blurred, rinse your eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes. Direct exposure of the eyes, skin, or lungs to benzene can cause tissue injury and irritation. A small amount will enter your body by passing through your skin and into your bloodstream during skin contact with benzene or benzene-containing products. Similarly, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the amount of benzene that products are allowed to contain. Benzene is one of the 20 most widely used chemicals in the United States. Some industries use benzene to make other chemicals which are used to make plastics, resins, and nylon and other synthetic fibers. Indoor air generally contains levels of benzene higher than those in outdoor air. Eating foods or drinking fluids contaminated with high levels of benzene can cause vomiting, stomach irritation, dizziness, sleepiness, convulsions, and rapid heart rate. This assessment will be published in Volume 120 of the IARC Monographs.1 Benzene is also used to make some types of rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. Some of the topics we can assist with include: For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor. Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Several federal agencies list the chemical as a known cause of cancer. We do not know what human health effects might occur after long-term exposure to food and water contaminated with benzene. Contact us today at 888.586.7041. Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology Section, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with valuable services and resources. Maternal exposure to trichloroethylene in drinking water and birthweight outcomes. Benzene can be measured in your blood. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Hum Exp Toxicol. One way to learn whether a chemical will harm people is to determine how the body absorbs, uses, and releases the chemical. If you would like to reproduce some or all of this content, see Reuse of NCI Information for guidance about copyright and permissions. When a substance is released either from a large area, such as an industrial plant, or from a container, such as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment. Can I Avoid or Limit My Exposure to X-rays and Gamma Rays? On average, though, smokers inhale 10 times more benzene daily than people who dont smoke. The vomit could be sucked into their lungs and damage their lungs. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Massachusetts Health Research Institute. 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. Benzene is dangerous. Do not put the contacts back in your eyes (even if they are not disposable contacts). If you have questions or concerns, please contact your community or state health or environmental quality department or: For more information, contact: there is no definite conclusion as to whether a low concentration of benzene can cause genetic damage in the occupational population. It has important genetic variances that differentiate it from classic hairy cell leukemia. Studies in labs: In these studies, animals are exposed to a substance (often in very large doses) to see if it causes tumors or other health problems.

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