ƒ ToxGuideTM is developed to be used as a pocket guide. Tear off at perforation and fold along lines.

The

Toxicokinetics and Biomarkers/Environmental

Sources of Exposure
Normal Human Levels Levels
ToxGuideTM
General Populations Toxicokinetics Biomarkers
ƒ The major sources of benzene exposure
are tobacco smoke, automobile service
ƒ Benzene is rapidly absorbed through the
lungs; approximately 50% of the benzene
ƒ Urinary benzene level is the most
sensitive biomarker of exposure to low
for
Benzene
stations, exhaust from motor vehicles, in air is absorbed. concentrations.
and industrial emissions. ƒ Over 90% of ingested benzene is ƒ Urinary levels of several benzene
ƒ About 50% of the entire nationwide absorbed through the gastrointestinal metabolites including muconic acid and
exposure to benzene results from tract. S-phenyl mercapturic acid are also
smoking tobacco or from exposure to ƒ Absorbed benzene is rapidly distributed sensitive biomarkers of exposure.
tobacco smoke.
ƒ Vapors (or gases) from products that
throughout the body and tends to
accumulate in fatty tissues.
C6H6
contain benzene, such as glues, paints,
Environmental Levels
ƒ The liver serves an important function in Air CAS# 71-43-2
furniture wax, and detergents, can also be benzene metabolism, which results in the October 2007
a source of exposure. production of several reactive ƒ The concentration of benzene in air
metabolites. samples from metropolitan areas was
0.58 ppb.
Occupational Populations ƒ At low exposure levels, benzene is rapidly U.S. Department of Health and
Sediment and Soil
ƒ Individuals employed in industries that metabolized and excreted predominantly Human Services
make or use benzene may be exposed. as conjugated urinary metabolites. ƒ Benzene was detected in less than 10% of Public Health Service
sediment samples with a median level of
These industries include benzene ƒ At higher exposure levels, metabolic <5 ppb.
Agency for Toxic Substances
production (petrochemicals, petroleum pathways appear to become saturated and and Disease Registry
refining, and coke and coal chemical a large portion of an absorbed dose of Water www.atsdr.cdc.gov
manufacturing), rubber tire benzene is excreted as parent compound ƒ Benzene was detected in approximately
manufacturing, and storage or transport in exhaled air. 40% of surface water samples with levels Contact Information:
of benzene and petroleum products ranging for non-detectable to 100 μg/L. Division of Toxicology
containing benzene. and Environmental Medicine
Normal Human Levels
ƒ Other workers who may be exposed to Reference Applied Toxicology Branch
benzene because of their occupations ƒ Median level in blood is 0.06 μg/L for
include steel workers, printers, rubber non-occupationally exposed individuals Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
1600 Clifton Road NE, F-32
workers, shoe makers, laboratory and 0.05 μg/L in a subset of non- Registry (ATSDR). 2007. Toxicological
Atlanta, GA 30333
technicians, firefighters, and gas station smokers. Profile for Benzene. Atlanta, GA: U.S.
1-800-CDC-INFO
employees. Department of Health and Human
1-800-232-4636
Services, Public Health Services.
www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxpro2.html
The ToxGuideTM is developed to be used as a pocket guide. Tear off at perforation and fold along lines.

Chemical and Physical

Information Routes of Exposure Relevance to Public Health (Health Effects)

Benzene is a colorless liquid ƒ Inhalation – Primary route of exposure Health effects are determined Health Effects
ƒ Benzene, also known as benzol, has a for general and occupational populations. by the dose (how much), the ƒ The primary target organs for acute
sweet odor. ƒ Oral – Minor route of exposure. duration (how long), and the exposure are the hematopoietic system,
ƒ Benzene is highly flammable. ƒ Dermal – Minor route of exposure. route of exposure. nervous system, and immune system.
ƒ Benzene is made mostly from petroleum ƒ The primary target for adverse systemic
effects of benzene following low-level
sources. Various industries use benzene Benzene in the Environment Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs) chronic exposure is the hematological
to make other chemicals, such as styrene
(for Styrofoam® and other plastics),
ƒ Benzene enters the air, water, and soil as Inhalation system.
a result of industrial processes, emissions ƒ An MRL of 0.009 ppm has been derived
cumene (for various resins), and ƒ Benzene is a known human carcinogen
from burning coal and oil, tobacco for acute-duration inhalation exposure
cyclohexane (for nylon and synthetic and is associated with leukemia, especially
smoke, gasoline exhaust and gasoline (≤14 days).
fibers). acute myelogenic leukemia.
leaks, and from natural sources including
ƒ Benzene is also used for the volcanoes and forest fires. ƒ An MRL of 0.006 ppm has been derived ƒ Benzene exposure may also be associated
manufacturing of some types of rubbers, for intermediate-duration inhalation with reproductive and developmental
lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and
ƒ Benzene in the atmosphere chemically exposure (15–364 days). effects based on animal studies.
degrades in only a few days.
pesticides. ƒ An MRL of 0.003 ppm has been derived
ƒ Benzene is also a natural component of ƒ Benzene released to soil or waterways is for chronic-duration inhalation exposure
subject to volatilization, photooxidation, Children’s Health
crude oil, gasoline and cigarette smoke. (≥1 year).
and biodegradation. Oral ƒ It is not known if children are more
susceptible to benzene poisoning than
ƒ No acute- or intermediate-duration oral adults.
MRLs were derived for benzene.
ƒ An MRL of 0.0005 mg/kg/day has been
derived for chronic-duration oral
exposure (≥1 year).