What is an acceptable level of benzene?

NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is 0.1 ppm averaged over a 10-hour workshift and 1 ppm, not to be exceeded during any 15-minute work period. ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 0.5 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 2.5 ppm as a STEL (short-term exposure limit).

What is OSHA limit for benzene?

OSHA. Abstract: Amendment of existing standard for Occupational Exposure to Benzene. The revised standard reduces the permissible exposure limit (PEL) from 10 parts benzene per million parts of air (10 ppm) to an eight (8)-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 1 ppm and a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 5 ppm.

At what concentration is benzene hazardous?

Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for benzene is 500 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in humans [Gerarde 1960].

How do you test for benzene exposure?

Blood counts of all components of the blood and examination of bone marrow are used to determine benzene exposure and its health effects. For people exposed to relatively high levels of benzene, complete blood analyses can be used to monitor possible changes related to exposure.

Why Does benzene cause leukemia?

Benzene has been shown to cause chromosome changes in bone marrow cells in the lab. (The bone marrow is where new blood cells are made.) Such changes are commonly found in human leukemia cells.

What are the symptoms of 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)

Is benzene Banned?

Benzene has been banned as an ingredient in products intended for use in the home, including toys. Benzene has a sweet, aromatic, gasoline-like odor. Most individuals can begin to smell benzene in air at 1.5 to 4.7 ppm.

Is benzene lighter than air?

Benzene is a chemical that is a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature. It has a sweet odor and is highly flammable. Benzene evaporates into the air very quickly. Its vapor is heavier than air and may sink into low-lying areas.

Is benzene a human carcinogen?

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that benzene causes cancer in humans. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia, cancer of the blood-forming organs.

Is there a test for benzene?

Several tests can determine exposure to benzene. There is a test for measuring benzene in the breath; this test must be done shortly after exposure. Benzene can also be measured in the blood; however, because benzene disappears rapidly from the blood, measurements are accurate only for extremely recent exposures.

Why is benzene so cancerous?