how long does benzene take to cause cancer
It is not known whether benzene exposure affects the developing fetus in pregnant women or fertility in men. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia, particularly acute myelogenous leukemia, often referred to as AML. 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%). IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. One of its goals is to identify causes of cancer. Likewise, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets a limit of 5 ppb in bottled water. Stacy Pigott University of Arizona Health Sciences 520-539-4152 spigott@arizona.edu. Meta-analysis of studies of occupational exposure to vinyl chloride in relation to cancer mortality. What expert agencies say Does benzene cause any other health problems? Areas with heavy traffic, gas stations, and areas near industrial sources may also have higher air levels. What Is Acute Undifferentiated Leukemia (AUL)? Regulations Cancer.org is provided courtesy of the Leo and Gloria Rosen family. What Is Biphenotypic Acute Leukemia (BAL)? Paulu C, Aschengrau A, Ozonoff D. 1999. Benzene has been found in at least 1,000 of the 1,684 National Priority List (NPL) sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Benzene is converted to products, called metabolites, in the liver and bone marrow. In October, 2017, a Working Group of 27 scientists from 13 countries met at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France, to finalise their evaluation of the carcinogenicity of benzene. Scientists have the responsibility to treat research animals with care and compassion. Other workers who may be exposed to benzene include coke oven workers in the steel industry, printers, rubber workers, shoe makers, laboratory technicians, firefighters, and gas station employees. Aschengrau A, Rogers S, Ozonoff D. 2003. That does not occur after low exposures to TCE and other well-metabolized VOCs (such as benzene, vinyl chloride, and methylene chloride). Yoon J, et al. What is Hairy Cell Leukemia-Variant (HCL-V)? The NTP has classified benzene as known to be a human carcinogen.. Contact. Pregnancy outcome following gestational exposure to organic solvents: a prospective controlled study. 2009. How Benzene Affects People's Health. can be enforced by law. PDF Benzene - ToxFAQs Benzene is formed from natural processes, such as volcanoes and forest fires, but most people are exposed to benzene through human activities. If you would like to reproduce some or all of this content, see Reuse of NCI Information for guidance about copyright and permissions. 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. (For more information on the classification systems used by these agencies, see Determining if Something Is a Carcinogen andKnown and Probable Human Carcinogens.). Bove FJ, Fulcomer MC, Klotz JB, Esmart J, et al. For people exposed to relatively high levels of benzene, complete blood analyses can be used to monitor possible changes related to exposure. 2015. All of these tests are limited in what they can tell you. Lyon, France: World Health Organization, 2012. Benzene exposure can be reduced by limiting contact with these sources. Use common sense around any chemicals that might contain benzene. Maternal exposure to trichloroethylene in drinking water and birthweight outcomes. In most cases, people will stop feeling these effects when they are no longer exposed and begin to breathe fresh air. Medical Tests in Your 20s and 30s. They can test whether youve been exposed to this chemical. This includes the cells in your bone marrow and lymphatic system. The test for measuring benzene in your breath must be done shortly after exposure. Benzene is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor. Benzene is dangerous. What is benzene? Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. AML is considered the most common type of leukemia diagnosed in adults. Both the International Agency for Cancer Research and the EPA have determined that benzene is carcinogenic to humans. What happens to benzene when it enters the environment? Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences People can be exposed to benzene from gasoline fumes, automobile exhaust, emissions from some factories, and wastewater from certain industries. Rodenbeck SE, Sanderson LM, Rene A. Benzene in your eyes may cause general irritation and damage to your cornea. Benzene | Dangers of Exposure, Cancer Risks and Treatment - Consumer Notice What should I do if Ive been exposed to benzene? Mainstream cigarette smoke is another source of benzene exposure, accounting for about half of the total U.S. population exposure to this chemical. Exposure to benzene liquid or vapor can irritate the skin, eyes, and throat. 2003. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Medical Management Guidelines (MMG) for Acute Chemical Exposure, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Myelodysplastic syndrome and benzene exposure among petroleum workers nose and throat discomfort. 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. It is highly flammable and is formed from both natural processes and human activities. A 2018 review notes that in 1987, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC . Benzene exposure can be reduced by limiting contact with gasoline and cigarette smoke. When examined, these women showed a decrease in the size of their ovaries. This can result in: There is also some evidence that long-term exposure to benzene might harm reproductive organs. Any clothing that has to be pulled over the head should be cut off the body instead of pulled over the head. Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology Section, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency. Current levels of benzene in workplace air are much lower than in the past. 4. Washing with soap and water will help protect people from any chemicals on their bodies. Natural Sources. Its vapor is heavier than air and may sink into low-lying areas. What is benzene? Benzene can enter your body through your lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and across your skin. Does benzene cause cancer? Benzene | Toxzine | ATSDR 76:473-91. How can families reduce the risks of exposure to benzene? Benzene does not build up in plants or animals. Short Review: Benzenes toxicity: a consolidated short review of human and animal studies. Although the total number of NPL sites evaluated for this substance is not known, the possibility exists that the number of sites at which benzene is found may increase in the future as more sites are evaluated. Your 60s and Up: Healthy Body, Sharp Mind. In the body, benzene is converted to products called metabolites. What is benzene? 2003. Do X-rays and Gamma Rays Cause Cancer? 2012. Drinking water typically contains less than 0.1 ppb benzene. But if you are concerned about benzene, you can limit your exposure in several ways . 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. Benzene has short-term and long-term effects. Try to limit exposure to gasoline fumes. Triangle Park, NC: National Institute of Environmental Health and Safety, 2021. EPA requires that the National Response Center be notified following a discharge or spill into the environment of 10 pounds or more of benzene. Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor. Long-term exposure to benzene can cause cancer of the blood-forming organs. Can I Avoid or Limit My Exposure to X-rays and Gamma Rays? More research is needed to clearly show that the exposure causes the health effect. A brief review of relationship between occupational benzene exposure and hematopoietic cancer. It has important genetic variances that differentiate it from classic hairy cell leukemia. Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality Volume 100F: Chemical Agents and Related Occupations. Benzene can also be measured in the blood; however, since benzene disappears rapidly from the blood, this test is only useful for recent exposures. 2007. 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. Dont smoke and avoid exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. Leakage from underground gasoline storage tanks or from landfills and hazardous waste sites that contain benzene can result in benzene contamination of well water. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. Industrial discharge, disposal of products containing benzene, and gasoline leaks from underground storage tanks release benzene into water and soil. Benzene - Exposure, Leukemia & Other Health Risks - Drugwatch Critical review of the epidemiological literature on occupational exposure to perchloroethylene and cancer. Your 40s and 50s: Managing Health Changes. These effects include low birth weight, delayed bone formation, and bone marrow damage. What should I do if I've been exposed to benzene? Head and neck cancer: Moderate to heavy alcohol consumption is associated with higher risks of certain head and neck cancers. Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program. 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. Featured: Have cancer and want to quit smoking? 2013. National Toxicology Program. Outdoor air contains low levels of benzene from tobacco smoke, automobile service stations, exhaust from motor vehicles, and industrial emissions. It is not known whether benzene will affect fertility in men. The EPA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are some federal agencies that develop regulations for toxic substances. September is blood cancer awareness month, a time to honor and support those living with blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Benzene evaporates into the air very quickly. Also, it can damage the immune system by changing blood levels of antibodies and causing the loss of white blood cells. Stay away from cigarette smoke. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2014. Benzene was first discovered and isolated from coal tar in the 1800s. Carcinogen Benzene Reportedly in Hand Sanitizer: How to Avoid It The guideline for long-term exposure is 5 parts per million over an hour of work; for short-term exposure, it is 20 parts per billion over an eight-hour day. Benzene, IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Volume 100F. The amount of phenol in urine has been used to check for benzene exposure in workers. Several tests can show whether you have been exposed to benzene. These results support the finding of an excess risk of leukemia in humans. If you are exposed to benzene, many factors will determine whether you will be harmed. Office of Innovation and Analytics, Toxicology Section This makes it easy to breathe in the chemical. Occupational benzene exposure and the risk of genetic damage: a Benzene has the strongest link to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registration. Limit or avoid exposure to fumes from solvents, paints, and art supplies, especially in unventilated spaces. Seek medical attention right away. Also, if you are sure the person has swallowed benzene, do not attempt CPR. Benzene is a natural component of crude oil, the main source of benzene today. 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. Exposure to benzene has been associated with development of a particular type of leukemia called acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Outdoor air contains low levels of benzene from secondhand tobacco smoke, gasoline fumes, motor vehicle exhaust, and industrial emissions. Benzene in water and soil breaks down more slowly. Brief exposure (510 minutes) to very high levels of benzene in air (10,00020,000 ppm) can result in death. Reading Time: 26 minutes Bloated and bed-ridden, his skin browned by blood transfusions, John Thompson succumbed to leukemia on November 11, 2009. 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) Similarly, limits on the amount of benzene allowed in gasoline have contributed to reduced exposures. Benzene is considered to be a cancer-causing chemical. Does diesel exhaust cause cancer? The Cancer Trends Progress Report, first issued in 2001, summarizes our nation's advances against cancer in relation to Healthy People targets set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services. TheUS National Toxicology Program (NTP)is an interagency program that includes the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Benzene works by causing cells not to work correctly. TheEPA classifies benzene as a known human carcinogen. Are benzene levels regulated? Description At room temperature, benzene is a clear, colorless-to-light yellow liquid that is highly flammable. Most information on effects of long-term exposure to benzene are from studies of workers employed in industries that make or use benzene. How Do I Protect Myself from Ultraviolet (UV) Rays? Chonal atresia (nasal passages blocked with bone or tissue) (1, 2), Oral cleft defects (including cleft lip) (, Neurological effects (delayed reaction times problems with short-term memory, visual perception, attention, and color vision) (, Neurobehavioral performance deficits (i.e., delayed recall and deficits in visual perception), decreased blink reflex, and mood effects (i.e., confusion, depression and tension) (, Severe, generalized hypersensitivity skin disorder (an autoimmune-related disease) (. Some of the topics we can assist with include: For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor. If you are near a release of benzene, emergency coordinators may tell you to either evacuate the area or to shelter in place inside a building to avoid being exposed to the chemical. 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. You can use this knowledge to keep a close eye on your health and to watch for symptoms of AML, such as: There are several ways you can limit your exposure to benzene, including: Benzene is classified as a toxin and carcinogen because of its known health effects. This can help lower your exposure to exhaust fumes, which contain benzene (as well as other potentially harmful chemicals). Some states may have lower limits. Public health goal for trichloroethylene in drinking water. Khattak S, K-Moghtader G, McMartin K, Barrera M, et al. If you think you may have been exposed to benzene over a long period of time, talk to a doctor. The National Cancer Institute states that exposure to benzene can increase the risk of developing leukemia. The EPA has set the maximum permissible level of benzene in drinking water at 5 parts benzene per billion parts of water (5 ppb). Its a natural component of crude oil and is also used in manufacturing plastics, rubbers, pesticides, and other chemicals. People working in industries that make or use benzene may be exposed to the highest levels of it. The effects of exposure to any chemical depend on. Benzene is a widely used chemical formed from both natural processes and human activities. Levels of benzene can be higher in enclosed spaces with unventilated fumes from gasoline, glues, solvents, paints, and art supplies. The major effect of benzene from long-term exposure is on the blood. It can also cause excessive bleeding and can affect the immune system, increasing the chance for infection. CYP2E1 induction can increase the toxic or carcinogenic potency of very high doses of some VOCs (such as TCE and PCE). If the benzene release was indoors, get out of the building. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Cigarette smoke (either from smoking yourself or fromsecondhand smoke) accounts for about half of the exposure to benzene in the United States. However, this test must be done shortly after exposure and is not a reliable indicator of how much benzene you have been exposed to, since the metabolites may be present in urine from other sources. 7. For most people, the level of exposure to benzene through food, beverages, or drinking water is not as high as through air. Rinsky RA, Smith AB, Hornung R, et al. Benzene is widely used in the United States; it ranks in the top 20 chemicals for production volume. It is used mainly to make other chemicals, including plastics, resins, lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. 1995. This condition is called leukemia. Its a good idea to talk with a doctor if you think youve had long-term exposure to benzene. Studies with pregnant animals show that breathing benzene has harmful effects on the developing fetus. Benzene-induced Cancers: Abridged History and Occupational Health It can usually be cured, but the disease is a major health concern. It has a sweet odor and is highly flammable. Animal testing may also help identify health effects such as cancer or birth defects. These clinics specialize in recognizing, evaluating, and treating illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. Tobacco smoke is a common source of benzene, as the chemical is released when tobacco is burned. Rates ofleukemia, particularlyacute myeloid leukemia (AML), have been found to be higher in studies of workers exposed to high levels of benzene, such as those in the chemical, shoemaking, and oil refining industries. Gasoline and cigarette smoke are two main sources of human exposure to benzene. Additionally, listed below are other health effects that have been linked to TCE, PCE, benzene, and/or vinyl chloride in populations other than Camp Lejeune who worked with and/or drank water contaminated with these chemicals. The major effect of benzene from long-term exposure is on the blood. Benzene is highly flammable. Chamblee, GA 30341-3717 Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Massachusetts Health Research Institute. Benzene is also used to make some types of rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. Our team is made up of doctors andoncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing. Am J Epidemiol 141:850-62. Benzene is commonly found in air, but the levels in most places are usually very low. Benzene is one of the 20 most widely used chemicals in the United States. There is a test for measuring benzene in the breath; this test must be done shortly after exposure. Tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water in Massachusetts and the risk of colon-rectum, lung, and other cancers. Natural sources of benzene, which include gas emissions from volcanoes and forest fires, also contribute to the presence of benzene in the environment. Average smokers take in about 10 times more benzene than nonsmokers each day. Some organics can cause cancer in animals, some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. Without laboratory animals, scientists would lose a basic method for getting information needed to make wise decisions that protect public health. CDC twenty four seven. Benzene is formed from both natural processes and human activities. Benzene is formed from natural processes, such as volcanoes and forest fires, but most people are exposed to benzene through human activities. Eating foods or drinking fluids contaminated with high levels of benzene can cause vomiting, stomach irritation, dizziness, sleepiness, convulsions, and rapid heart rate. If someone has swallowed benzene, do not try to make them vomit or give them fluids to drink. Reduction in other components in the blood can cause excessive bleeding. 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. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.