Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor used in the manufacturing of plastics, oil, synthetic rubber, and dyes. It was discovered in 1825 and occurs naturally in forest fires and volcanoes. It is a carcinogen and a major component of cigarette smoke. It was once widely used as an industrial solvent and gasoline additive, but its toxicity led to its abandonment. Today, it is used as an additive to other chemicals and in the manufacturing of drugs, detergents, pesticides, and explosives. Exposure to benzene can have serious health effects, and tests can be done to show if a person has been exposed. The maximum amount allowed in water in the United States is 0.005 milligrams per liter.
Benzene is an organic chemical compound also known as benzene. It has a particularly sweet odor and is a colorless, flammable liquid. Benzene is an important industrial solvent and is used in the manufacturing process of plastics, oil, synthetic rubber and many dyes.
Scientist Michael Faraday discovered benzene in 1825. He separated it from petroleum gas and named it hydrogen bicarbonate. It occurs naturally in forest fires and volcanoes and is a carcinogen and a major component of cigarette smoke. Until World War II, the chemical was produced as a byproduct of coal production, mainly in the steel industry.
In the 1950s there was a growing demand for benzene, especially from the plastics industry. For this need, manufacturers have started making it from oil. Most of today’s supply comes from the petrochemical industry, with only a small amount obtained from coal.
Benzene is a chemical with many uses. Because of its sweet smell, it was used as an aftershave in the 19th century. Prior to the 1920s, it was used regularly as an industrial solvent. This was before people realized the dangers of its toxicity. It was once widely used as an additive to gasoline, but this practice too has been abandoned for health reasons.
Commonly, benzene is used as an additive to other chemicals. It is used to make styrene, which is used to make plastics and polymers, and in the manufacturing process of nylon. Small quantities are used in the manufacturing processes of drugs, detergents, pesticides and explosives.
Exposure to benzene can have very serious health effects. High levels of exposure can cause respiratory distress, dizziness, drowsiness, headache and nausea. If you eat or drink benzene-containing liquids, you may experience a rapid heartbeat, vomiting, and stomach irritation. Very high levels of exposure can ultimately lead to death.
There are tests that can be done to show if a person has been exposed to the chemical. Benzene can be measured with a breath or a blood test. Both of these tests should be done shortly after exposure, as the chemical disappears from the body very quickly. In the United States, the maximum amount allowed in water is 0.005 milligrams per liter.
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