Benzene
Side-Effects
Benzene is a known carcinogen
in humans and causes benzene related cancer. Breathing benzene
vapors may cause immediate death and other exposures to the chemical
have been linked to various forms of leukemia, most notably Acute
Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).
Acute
Benzene Side Effects
Acute (short-term) exposure will commonly be associated with the
following benzene side effects:
1. Irritation of the eyes and
skin
2. Irritation of the nose and throat
3. Dizziness and lightheadedness
4. Headache and vomiting
5. Convulsions and coma
6. Rapid heart beat
7. Sudden death
Chronic
Benzene Side Effects
Chronic (long-term) exposure will commonly be associated with
the following benzene side effects:
1. Benzene Cancer
2. Leukemia, most notably Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
3. Reproductive harm (teratogen - an agent that can cause malformations
of an embryo or fetus)
4. Drying and scaling of the skin
5. Damage to blood cells – aplastic anemia
Is there a medical test to show whether I have been exposed to benzene?
Several tests can show if you have been exposed to benzene. There is test for measuring benzene in the breath; this test must be done shortly after exposure. Benzene can also be measured in the blood, however, since benzene disappears rapidly from the blood, measurements are accurate only for recent exposures.
In the body, benzene is converted to products called metabolites. Certain metabolites can be measured in the urine. However, this test must be done shortly after exposure and is not a reliable indicator of how much benzene you have been exposed to, since the metabolites may be present in urine from other sources.
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