13 Oct The Benzene Scene

Of the many gases and chemicals present in manufacturing, one of the most important and regularly present ones is Benzene.

What is Benzene?

In scientific terms, Benzene is an organic chemical compound, which is also known as C₆H₆ due to its structure being composed of six carbon atoms joined in a ring where a single hydrogen atom is attached to each carbon. This chemical structure makes Benzene a hydrocarbon.

Benzene is colorless, except for at times when it is light yellow at room temperature. The chemical is highly flammable, and emits a sweet smell. It also evaporates into the air very rapidly, and is heavier than air, which may cause it to sink to lower-lying areas of a room when it is dispersed.

This petrochemical has a high octane number, (the higher the octane number, the more compression that fuel can withstand before igniting). As a result, it is an important part of gasoline composition.

Benzene is commonly found in volcanoes, burning coal, forest fires, motor vehicle exhaust, cigarettes/tobacco smoke, industrial solvents, and gas stations. Additionally, Benzene is a natural component of crude oil.

What is Benzene Used for?

Benzene is widely used all over the world in industrial manufacturing. In the United States it ranks as one of the top 20 chemicals in terms of production volume.

Dominantly, Benzene is an important part of gasoline and other fuels’ chemical makeup. However, past its crude oil-related purposes, it has a wide variety of other functions.

Benzene is used as a solvent for fats, resins, oils, waxes, plastics, paints, inks, and rubber. It is utilized in the process that extracts seeds from nuts, photogravure printing, and the composition of cigarettes.

Other industries rely on Benzene to make additional chemicals, (for example, the chemicals that are manipulated to make plastics and synthetic fibers). Furthermore, Benzene is used to make detergents, explosives, dyes, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals.

Exposures & Dangers

People that work in industries that produce, or utilize Benzene in the creation of their products, are naturally more at risk for Benzene exposure/contamination. Additionally, heavy exposure to tobacco smoke can also cause the body to become affected by Benzene.

People who breathe in high levels of Benzene without proper protection may soon develop some, or all, of the following symptoms:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Tremors
• Rapid or Irregular heartbeat
• Confusion
• Even Unconsciousness or Death

Furthermore, in the long-term, unprotected exposure to Benzene can cause a decrease in red blood cells, excessive bleeding, bone marrow damage, anemia, increased chance for infection, and weakened immune system. The department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has also linked extreme, prolonged Benzene exposure to cancer, particularly leukemia, which is a cancer of the blood-forming organs.

How to Protect Yourself

If you work in an industry that utilizes or produces Benzene, make sure to follow all company safety regulations, wear proper equipment, and follow CDC, OSHA, and DHHS guidelines.

Should you become exposed to Benzene, get fresh air immediately by leaving the area where the gas has been released. If the release of the gas was outside, move away from the area as fast as you can.

Next, remove your clothing. Do not pull any clothing over your head. If clothing is the type that requires being pulled over the head (like a sweatshirt, for instance), cut it off your body instead. Following, quickly wash your entire body with soap and water, rinse your eyes with plain water for 10 – 15 minutes, and then seek medical attention.

Do not put any contacts back into your eyes once done. If you wear glasses, make sure to thoroughly wash them before putting them back on. Afterwards:

• Place your clothing inside of a plastic bag, but avoid touching the contaminated items directly.
• Seal the bag.
• Put that bag inside of another bag to be disposed of.
• Call your local or state health department, or emergency group to handle getting rid of the contaminated items.

Take Care & Be Safe

Benzene contamination severity depends on the level, strength, and duration of exposure. Should an emergency involving Benzene occur, be sure to call your regional or local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222, or the Centers for Disease Control at 1-800-232-4636 or 888-232-6348.

To better protect your employees, your company, and yourself from the risk of Benzene exposure, contact Creation World Safety today and get trained in proper Benzene safety techniques and practices.