There is potential for humans to be exposed to chlorobenzene by breathing contaminated air, by drinking water or eating food contaminated with chlorobenzene, or by getting chlorobenzene-contaminated soil on the skin. These exposures are most likely to occur in the workplace or in the vicinity of chemical waste sites.
Occupational exposure occurs primarily through breathing the chemical.
Personnel engaged in the production and handling of chlorobenzene would be at greatest risk. Levels of chlorobenzene in the air at several industrial sites during normal operations were found to be below allowable federal standards. Exposure in humans could occur in persons living or working in the vicinity of hazardous waste sites if emissions to water, air, and soil are not adequately controlled. Chlorobenzene has been found at 97 out of 1,177 NPL hazardous waste sites in the United States. Thus, federal and state surveys suggest that chlorobenzene is not a widespread environmental contaminant.