Benzene has a pleasant, sweet odor, but the odor does not provide adequate warning of its hazard. Acute Health Effects Inhalation. Exposure to high concentrations of benzene may cause breathlessness, irritability, euphoria or giddiness. It may cause irritation of the eyes, nose and respiratory tract. It may also cause headache, dizziness, nausea or intoxication.
Severe exposures can lead to convulsions and loss of consciousness.
Contact with benzene may cause irritation of the skin and eyes. Benzene can be absorbed into the skin and cause dermatitis. Eye contact may result in temporary corneal damage. Benzene ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness and gastrointestinal irritation. Chronic Health Effects Repeated or prolonged exposure to benzene, even at relatively low concentrations, may result in various blood disorders, ranging from anemia to leukemia.