(This standard applies to the industry segments exempt from the 1 ppm 8-hour TWA and 5 ppm STEL of the benzene standard at 1910.1028. Toll-free number: 1-888-422-8737 (1-888-42-ATSDR) C. Eye and Face Protection. For any chemical agent for which an IOELV has been set at EU level, member States are required to establish a national occupational exposure limit value. A substantial number of benzene-exposed workers are at risk for moderate exposure, but very few are at risk of high exposure. Integrated Risk Information System: Benzene (CASRN 71-43-2). 2015. OSHA limits exposure to benzene in the air in most workplaces to 1 ppm (part per million) during an average workday and a maximum of 5 ppm over any 15-minute period. A series of steps were taken to assign exposure proportions to occupations and industries at risk of exposure to benzene. US Environmental Protection Agency. Often neither type of study provides conclusive evidence on its own, so researchers usually look at both human and lab-based studies when trying to figure out if something causes cancer. The American Cancer Society looks to these organizations to evaluate the risks based on evidence from laboratory, animal, and human research studies. ION Science Ltd Exposures can be higher for people in enclosed spaces with unventilated fumes from gasoline, glues, solvents, paints, and art supplies. Tox Town: Benzene. prevent you being exposed to benzene, or where this cannot reasonably be done, adequately control your exposure; reduce your exposure to benzene so far as is reasonably practicable, and in any case, below the workplace exposure limit (WEL) assigned for benzene of 1 part per million (ppm) of air averaged over an 8-hour period; Identifying industries with either 1) workers exposed to high levels of benzene or 2) a larger number of workers exposed to benzene is important in guiding cancer prevention efforts to prioritize exposed groups and target resources most effectively. (1,2) Animal studies show neurologic, immunologic, and hematologic effects from inhalation and oral exposure to benzene. C. Breathing. 29 CFR 1910.1028(c) (USDOL); U.S. National Archives and Records Administration's Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Benzene CAS RN: 71-43-2 Threshold Limit Values. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Such background concentrations are incorporated in the BEI value. Accessed at http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol100F/mono100F-24.pdf on October 15, 2015. 1. Toll-free number: 1-800-321-6742 (1-800-321-OSHA) People can be exposed to benzene in the environment from gasoline fumes, automobile exhaust, emissions from some factories, and waste water from certain industries. Benzene is also harmful if you happen to swallow it. These results support the finding of an excess risk of leukemia in humans. Website: www.osha.gov [1,2] Many workers are exposed to benzene via inhalation of motor vehicle exhaust. tobacco smoke is also a significant source of exposure. The majority of workers exposed to benzene are in the low exposure category. Benzene can affect your health if you inhale it, or if it comes in contact with your skin or eyes. The NTP has classified benzene as “known to be a human carcinogen.”. Occupations and industries at risk of possible exposure to benzene were identified using any combination of data sources described above. Airborne: The maximum time-weighted average (TWA) exposure limit is 1 part of benzene vapor per million parts of air (1 ppm) for an 8-hour workday and the maximum short-term exposure limit (STEL) is 5 ppm for any 15-minute period. Call for medical assistance or a doctor immediately. Air. Report on Carcinogens, Thirteenth Edition. Rinsky RA, Smith AB, Hornung R, et al. We’ve invested more than $4.9 billion in cancer research since 1946, all to find more – and better – treatments, uncover factors that may cause cancer, and improve cancer patients’ quality of life.