Benzene – characteristics and occurrence. What are the symptoms of benzene poisoning?

Contents

What is benzene?
The presence of benzene
Benzene in food
The harmful effects of benzene on humans
What are the symptoms of benzene poisoning?
How is benzene poisoning treated?

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Proven content

Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon that is common in the environment. It can be found in soil, air and water, but much of it is produced by industrial processes. Benzene is a liquid that has a neurotoxic effect, promotes the development of tumors and can cause poisoning. What should you know about benzene? How is poisoning with this compound manifested and how can it be treated?

What is benzene?

Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon with a characteristic ring structure and is the simplest compound from this group of substances. It is a colorless liquid that is highly flammable and lighter than water. At a sufficiently high concentration, the characteristic smell of benzene in the air can be felt.

The dangers of benzene include environmental pollution and, at very high concentrations, also the risk of explosion. This substance is harmful to humans – after prolonged exposure it shows a carcinogenic effect, and the inhalation of vapors may result in benzene poisoning. Although benzene occurs naturally in the environment, we are exposed to its toxic effects on the body when it comes into contact with it in industrial conditions or with chemical products containing it.

Liquid benzene and its vapors are toxic to humans.

See also: Gasoline poisoning

The presence of benzene

The main natural sources of benzene are crude oil and coal tars. Benzene emission it is observed in the processes of crude oil processing, in the chemical industry, as well as during the combustion of oil and coal. This means that benzene is released e.g. in car exhaust and cigarette smoke. It is also released in the vapors of certain chemical products. Benzene can be found in detergents, pesticides, resins, dyes, paints, adhesives and pastes for furniture or floors.

Benzene is emitted into the environment by the metallurgical, refining, automotive and chemical industries, as well as by gas stations, shoe factories, tire factories, dry cleaners, bituminous mass factories and photo-engraving printing houses. Exposure to benzene applies to the greatest extent to people working in plants or warehouses, where there is a risk of contact with this compound.

Benzene in food

Benzene is a compound commonly found in the chemical industry, especially as a product of industrial processes (e.g. production of plastics or detergents). It is also found in food and beverages.

Likely causes of benzene deposition in various products it is ionizing radiation, the action of high temperatures during food processing, the storage or production of food in an environment containing contaminants, but also the transfer of contaminants from the packaging.

Contamination with benzene in the food we eat can vary. Certain limits of benzene have been taken into account in the context of water. Various organizations, including WHO or the EU, as well as national legal acts, define the admissible one maximum benzene content in drinking water. In Poland and the European Union, water intended for human consumption may contain no more than 1 μg / dm3 of benzene. In the United States, the limit is 5 μg / dm3, and WHO allows 10 μg / dm3 of benzene in drinking water.

important

We are mainly exposed to benzene by inhaling the air that has been polluted with it. In the vicinity of industrial plants, its concentration can reach 349 μg / m3, and the smoke from one cigarette is approx. 40 μg of benzene. City air can deliver approx. 25 μg per hour. Meanwhile, an average of 5 μg of benzene will be taken from food during the day.

Also read: Carbon monoxide poisoning – causes, symptoms, prevention

The harmful effects of benzene on humans

Benzene is a substance that poses a significant threat to human health. It is toxic and the body absorbs it easily. The main dangers of benzene on humans are carcinogenic and mutagenic properties and the risk of poisoning. The substance in the form of a liquid or vapor irritates the eyes and skin, and if it enters the body, it can cause acute and dangerous symptoms. Long-term exposure to benzene also leads to health consequences.

The proven effects of benzene on the body include its negative effects on the immune and reproductive systems, causing bone marrow damage and leukemia. It is also neurotoxic. There are also studies showing that it is toxic to the embryo and fetus.

What are the symptoms of benzene poisoning?

When benzene poisoning occurs, symptoms develop, the nature of which depends on how the person has been exposed to the substance. The concentration of benzene is also important.

Chronic poisoning may occur in case of prolonged exposure to benzene. It leads to unfavorable changes in the haematopoietic system, including anemia, haemorrhagic diathesis, and leukopenia. Down symptoms of chronic benzene poisoning belong:

bleeding, for example from nose or gums;
longer periods;
bleeding from cuts or procedures such as tooth extraction takes longer;
bruising skin;
leukemia – occurs as a long-term effect of chronic benzene exposure.

There is also a risk of occurrence acute benzene poisoning – as a result of inhalation of vapors, contact with the skin or drinking the substance. Benzene vapors are especially dangerous when inhaled for several hours at a concentration higher than 160 mg / m3. Symptoms such as dizziness, short-term agitation, sleepiness, problems with balance and coordination, arrhythmia, convulsions, as well as difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. Ventricular fibrillation, cardiac arrest and even death can also occur.

Read more: Poisoning with organic solvents

Other symptoms accompanying acute benzene poisoning may appear:

after liquid benzene has got into the eyes – lacrimation and pain in the eyes, conjunctivitis;
after drinking liquid benzene – headache, nausea, vomiting, as well as narcotic symptoms.

Attention

If benzene comes into contact with a large area of the skin, it may be absorbed and penetrated into the body.

How is benzene poisoning treated?

Professional medical attention is needed in the event of benzene poisoning. If the poisoning occurs as a result of inhaling benzene vapors, take the injured person into fresh air. After consuming benzene, specialist help may include giving the patient paraffin or gastric lavage.