Benzene Exposure Symptoms

Benzene is a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature, has a sweet odor and is highly flammable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a person seek medical treatment as soon as possible if he thinks he has been exposed to high levels of benzene.

Symptoms of Inhalation

Within minutes to several hours, breathing in benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, abnormal heart rhythm, headache, tremors, confusion, unconsciousness and death (at very high levels of exposure.)

Symptoms of Oral Ingestion

Consuming foods or beverages containing high levels of benzene can cause vomiting, stomach irritation, dizziness, sleepiness, convulsions, abnormal heart rhythm and death (at very high levels of exposure.)

Direct Exposure

Direct exposure to benzene can cause tissue injury and irritation of the eyes, skin or lungs.

Long-term Effects

Long-term exposure is known to cause harmful effects on the bone marrow and a decrease in red blood cells, leading to anemia. It can also cause excessive bleeding and immune system infection, which increases the risk for infection.

Warning

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has determined that long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia.