• Question: What are the effects of exposure to benzene?

    Asked by 947stxe22 to Stuart, Richard on 8 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Stuart Atkinson

      Stuart Atkinson answered on 8 Mar 2016:

      I remember teachers saying they used to wash their hands in the lab in benzene, like we would use soap today. I guess it was good at cleaning!

      When I did A-levels we still used it in organic chemistry, but I think it’s only used in Universities now.

      Short term exposure would be like any other solvent – nausea, dizziness, loss of consciousness. Long term exposure is more serious as benzene is a known human carcinogen.

Comments

  • Photo: Anais

    Anais commented on :

    Hello, I just thought I’d add something to this! The main routes of exposure include: cigarette smoke, industrial emissions and petrol. Benzene is a carcinogen and is metabolised in the liver but exerts its toxicity in the haemopoietic system (the blood system). The chronic adverse health effects include cancer and aplastic anaemia but the acute effects include dizziness, headaches and vomiting.

  • Photo: Stuart

    Stuart commented on :

    Good one, Anais. I was just referring to its use an a solvent, but you’re right. There are way more nasty things coming out of a burning cigarette than are present in the packet!