{"id":353210,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:40","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/benzene-sources-where-it-can-be-found.html"},"modified":"2025-10-01T16:12:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T21:12:00","slug":"benzene-sources-where-it-can-be-found","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/benzene-sources-where-it-can-be-found.html","title":{"rendered":"Sources of Benzene and How To Avoid Exposure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sources of Benzene and How To Avoid Exposure<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Benzene<\/span> is a known human carcinogen used in various products. It is also found in nature and is commonly used in specific industries. Exposure to benzene<\/span> can cause many adverse health effects<\/span> and diseases.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

High levels of exposure to benzene<\/span> can be dangerous. According to the\u00a0Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span> (CDC<\/span>)<\/a>, long-term exposure<\/span> to high <\/span>levels of <\/span>benzene<\/span> can cause\u00a0leukemia<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and other cancers, menstrual issues in women, and congenital disabilities in children.<\/p>\n

Because benzene<\/span> is so dangerous, the Department of Health and Human Services<\/span> (DHHS), the\u00a0U.S. Environmental Protection Agency<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(EPA), and other agencies have created regulations to control the presence of benzene<\/span>.<\/p>\n

For example, the\u00a0Occupational Safety and Health Administration<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(OSHA) has set\u00a0short-term and long-term exposure<\/span> limits for benzene<\/span> in the workplace (1 ppm). Employees may be eligible for workers\u2019 compensation benefits if their employer violates these standards. There are also maximum acceptable benzene<\/span> concentrations in drinking water and beverages.<\/p>\n

This article explains what products contain benzene<\/span> and how you can come into contact with this dangerous chemical. It also discusses the adverse health effects<\/span> of long-term exposure<\/span>. If you believe exposure to benzene<\/span> caused your cancer or some other illness, contact a\u00a0personal injury lawyer specializing in toxic tort law<\/a>\u00a0immediately.<\/p>\n

Why Is Benzene<\/span> So Dangerous to Public Health<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

Coming into contact with benzene<\/span> can make you sick<\/a>. Typically, low <\/span>levels<\/span> of <\/span>benzene<\/span> won\u2019t be harmful. Most of us encounter benzene<\/span> daily through motor <\/span>vehicle exhaust<\/span>, tobacco smoke<\/span>, cigarette smoke<\/span>, and other air pollutants. Even nonsmokers come into contact with benzene<\/span>.<\/p>\n

But if you encounter high <\/span>levels of <\/span>benzene<\/span>, you can become quite ill.<\/p>\n

One of the reasons benzene<\/span> is so dangerous is that you don\u2019t always know when it\u2019s present. Aside from its sweet odor, it can be hard to detect this toxin. That\u2019s why it can have such an impact on physical and environmental health<\/span>.<\/p>\n

If you experience long-term exposure<\/span> to benzene<\/span>, you can develop several adverse health effects<\/span>. These include:<\/p>\n