Workplace exposure to benzene has steadily increased in correlation with the chemical's increased use and production. During 1967, there were about 800 million gallons of benzene produced in the U.S., and by 1969, the amount of benzene increased to 1.2 billion gallons with approximately 16% of the productions derived from coal. Workers employed in industries that frequently use or make benzene—such as oil refineries, chemical plants, shoe or rubber manufacturers, and gasoline companies—face the greatest risk of high levels of benzene exposure. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that occupational benzene exposure is responsible for thousands of cancer deaths worldwide every year.

Benzene has been known to cause acute myelogenous leukemia and other forms of blood cancers and diseases. Businesses have known for years the dangers of the hazardous chemical but still allowed workers to be exposed to the carcinogen. Studies as early as the 1920s found a link between exposure to benzene and leukemia.

Benzene Health Hazard Information

High Levels of Benzene in Tonawanda, NY
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has just announced that Tonawanda, New York has exceedingly high concentrations of benzene, a known cancer-causing toxin, in its air.

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San Francisco Company Fails to Report Benzene

Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fined a San Francisco oil storage company $10,000 for failing to report a number of toxic substances contained in its inventory. Among these toxins was benzene, a liquid known to cause leukemia.

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Abandoned Industrial Dump Site May Pose Benzene Risk

An old industrial site where large volumes of dangerous chemicals, including benzene and butanone, were dumped near a school, a stream, and many houses, may pose serious health risks to residents and school children.

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Residents Demand Old Oil Spill Investigation
A rare bone cancer occurs with alarming frequency near the site of a 1950's oil spill, and local residents demand a comprehensive health study.

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January 5, 2009
Michigan Steel Company Cleans Up Benzene

U.S. Steel Gary Works, one of the largest steel manufacturers in Michigan, is currently developing a plan to cleanup benzene that has been leaking into Lake Michigan for an unknown period of time.

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More Benzene Exposure News...

Workplace Benzene Exposure Limits

OSHA - The legal airborne permissible exposure limit is 1 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 5 ppm not to be exceeded during any 15-minute work period.

NIOSH - The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.1 ppm averaged over a 10-hour workshift and 1 ppm not to be exceeded during any 15-minute work period.

ACGIH - The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 2.5 ppm as a short-term exposure limit.

Because benzene has been identified as a human carcinogen, all exposure to the dangerous chemical should be completely avoided if possible because there may not be a safe level of benzene exposure. Because the identified levels of benzene exposure are in regards to air levels, skin contact may overexpose an individual.