Where can you get benzene

Biomedical Citizen Science. Director's Message. Budget Proposal. Stories of Cancer Research. Driving Discovery. Highlighted Scientific Opportunities. Research Grants. Research Funding Opportunities.

Cancer Grand Challenges. Research Program Contacts. Funding Strategy. Grants Policies and Process. Introduction to Grants Process. NCI Grant Policies. Legal Requirements. Step 3: Peer Review and Funding Outcomes. Manage Your Award. Grants Management Contacts. Prior Approvals. Annual Reporting and Auditing. Transfer of a Grant. Grant Closeout. Cancer Training at NCI. Resources for Trainees. Funding for Cancer Training.

Building a Diverse Workforce. National Cancer Act 50th Anniversary Commemoration. Resources for News Media. Media Contacts. Cancer Reporting Fellowships.

Advisory Board Meetings. Social Media Events. Cancer Currents Blog. Contributing to Cancer Research. Strategic Planning. Principal Deputy Director's Page. Previous NCI Directors. NCI Frederick.

Advisory Boards and Review Groups. NCI Congressional Justification. Current Congress. Committees of Interest. Legislative Resources. If you work for a manufacturing company that uses benzene in its products, or you are around a substance that naturally emits benzene gas, consider your risk for harmful exposure. Manufacturing facilities that use benzene in its products could expose workers to constant benzene inhalation.

Over time, this toxic chemical compound could result in serious negative health effects. It is also an ingredient in many consumer products. The Environmental Protection Agency EPA states that benzene is a Class A carcinogenic that could cause reproductive health effects in women, adverse effects on developing fetuses, and leukemia.

Chronic inhalation of benzene at high levels could cause cancer to form in the white blood cells. Even short-term exposure could cause several acute inhalation symptoms, drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, abdominal swelling or pain or unconsciousness.

It is critical to see a doctor as soon as you notice potential symptoms of benzene exposure. Describe your exposure to benzene at work or in your home. Tests can be administered to confirm benzene exposure and measure the amount of benzene in your breath, blood, or urine shortly after exposure.

If your workplace or a consumer product exposed you to benzene to the point that you are experiencing symptoms or health problems, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Employers should be aware of the dangers of benzene exposure, and properly equip their employees with respirators, goggles, and other protective equipment to prevent illnesses. Immediate signs and symptoms of exposure to benzene 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 Eating foods or drinking beverages containing high levels of benzene can cause the following symptoms within minutes to several hours: Vomiting Irritation of the stomach Dizziness Sleepiness Convulsions Rapid or irregular heartbeat Death at very high levels If a person vomits because of swallowing foods or beverages containing benzene, the vomit could be sucked into the lungs and cause breathing problems and coughing.

Direct exposure of the eyes, skin, or lungs to benzene can cause tissue injury and irritation. Showing these signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has been exposed to benzene. Long-term health effects of exposure to benzene The major effect of benzene from long-term exposure is on the blood.

Long-term exposure means exposure of a year or more. Benzene causes harmful effects on the bone marrow and can cause a decrease in red blood cells, leading to anemia.

It can also cause excessive bleeding and can affect the immune system, increasing the chance for infection. Some women who breathed high levels of benzene for many months had irregular menstrual periods and a decrease in the size of their ovaries. It is not known whether benzene exposure affects the developing fetus in pregnant women or fertility in men.

Animal studies have shown low birth weights, delayed bone formation, and bone marrow damage when pregnant animals breathed benzene. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia, cancer of the blood-forming organs. How you can protect yourself, and what to do if you are exposed to benzene First, if the benzene was released into the air, get fresh air by leaving the area where the benzene was released.

Moving to an area with fresh air is a good way to reduce the possibility of death from exposure to benzene in the air. If the benzene release was outside, move away from the area where the benzene was released. If the benzene release was indoors, get out of the building. Removing your clothing Quickly take off clothing that may have benzene on it. Any clothing that has to be pulled over the head should be cut off the body instead of pulled over the head. If you are helping other people remove their clothing, try to avoid touching any contaminated areas, and remove the clothing as quickly as possible.

Washing yourself As quickly as possible, wash any benzene from your skin with large amounts of soap and water. Washing with soap and water will help protect people from any chemicals on their bodies. If your eyes are burning or your vision is blurred, rinse your eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes. If you wear contacts, remove them after washing your hands and put them with the contaminated clothing.

Do not put the contacts back in your eyes even if they are not disposable contacts. If you wear eyeglasses, wash them with soap and water. You can put your eyeglasses back on after you wash them. Disposing of your clothes After you have washed yourself, place your clothing inside a plastic bag.