Benzene is a clear, aromatic, flammable liquid that is a component of many types of chemicals and materials, including industrial solvents, gasoline, napalm, and pesticides, among many other things. Benzene is a very common chemical ingredient in the products of many industries, including rubber, plastics, oil/gasoline, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries.
Benzene is toxic and a carcinogen that has been shown to cause leukemia and death in people with chronic exposure levels of varying degrees from just a few years to several decades. Most people are exposed to benzene by inhaling it in the ambient air. In addition to industrial causes, some natural processes such as forest fires also create the chemical. Contaminated food or water also contains benzene, including ground water contaminated by leaking gasoline tanks. In 2006, concern was raised about soft drinks, including products made by Pepsi and Coke, which had high levels of benzene. The manufacturers agreed to change the products.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the exposure levels of half the people in this country come from cigarette smoke. More benzene information and specific toxicology information can be found on the NIH’s website.
Benzene is regulated by the federal government. The Consumer Product Safety Commission requires that products that contain 5% or more benzene by weight must have special labeling because they are officially hazardous. The Department of Transportation also has special labeling and transport requirements for Benzene. The Food and Drug Administration as well as the Environmental Protection Agency both have additional regulations regarding benzene.
Benzene information is increasingly easy to find, and people are becoming more aware of their possibilities for exposure and their rights in these events. Those who have been injured by Benzene exposure have a right to seek compensation for their injuries through an individual lawsuit or by joining a class action Benzene lawsuit.