In laboratory studies with rats and mice, benzene has been shown to cause leukemia and other types of cancer. Benzene can cause neurological damage and can harm the immune system. Long-term exposure to benzene fumes can cause nerve damage. Short-term exposure to high levels of benzene, and to other related aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylene, can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches and unconsciousness. Excessive exposure to benzene can harm the immune system.
Studies indicate that alcohol consumption increases the toxicity of benzene.
Outdoor Air - Vermont has lower levels of benzene in outdoor air than is found in many of the more industrial or densely populated areas of the United States. Most of the outdoor levels of benzene in Vermont result from automobile traffic. The more traffic in a given town, the higher the benzene levels in the air. The air around fuel pumps at gasoline stations may have higher levels of benzene, although vapor recovery systems recently installed by many gas stations have greatly reduced this source of exposure. Benzene vapors may be elevated in the area around bulk fuel terminals and fuel delivery tank trucks.