Benzene Safety
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"Benzene Exposure Risks_123456789" September 11, 2008 OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, estimates that 238,000 workers in the U.S. may be exposed to benzene, a toxic chemical compound that has been used for a variety of industrial and commercial purposes since its discovery in the mid-1800s. Benzene exposure can lead to the development of a number of serious health hazards including leukemia, a potentially fatal cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Workers can be at risk for benzene exposure during refining operations, gasoline storage, retail operations, chemical manufacturing and plastic and rubber manufacturing, among others. Three Types of Benzene Exposure People can be exposed to benzene in three ways: inhalation, ingestion or transdermal absorption. Benzene inhalation is the result of breathing of benzene vapors. It is not necessarily serious to health unless it occurs in high levels over a long period of time. Ingestion results from the eating or drinking of benzene-laden foods or beverages. It can result in a number of serious effects such as vomiting, nausea, dizziness, convulsions and death. Benzene transdermal absorption is the result of coming into contact with benzene and benzene-laden materials. It can cause scaling dermatitis, a deficiency in all elements of the blood and a number of other health hazards. OSHA Regulates Benzene Exposure Because of the hazards associated with benzene exposure, regulations have been instituted to protect the public from its harmful effects. OSHA regulations state that employees must not be faced with an exposure limit of more than 1 part of benzene per million parts of air d uring a 40-hour work week. Environmental Protection Agency regulations state that drinking water must not contain more than 5 parts benzene per billion parts of water. Industrial and commercial companies that fail to adequately protect their employees and the public from risky benzene exposure can be sued for negligence. Lawsuits are designed to provide compensation for pain, suffering and legal expenses resulting from an employer’s negligence. (Source: MediaFact.com) To learn more about benzene and its harmful affects, contact us today. |