Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-849 - Benzene › Section 296-849-60010 - Health information about benzene

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) You must include an explanation
			 of the contents of this section to employees as required in Training,
			 WAC
			 296-849-11050.
(2) You must provide a copy of this
			 section to the licensed health care professional (LHCP) as required
			 in Step 4 of the medical evaluation process found in Medical
			 evaluations, WAC
			 296-849-12030.
Table 7 General Health Information About
				Benzene
What is benzene?
Benzene is a clear, colorless
						liquid with a pleasant, sweet odor. It evaporates into air very
						quickly. The odor of benzene does not provide adequate warning of its
						hazard.
In this chapter, "benzene " means:
- Liquid benzene, benzene vapor, and benzene
						  in liquid mixtures and the vapor released by these liquids. The CAS
						  Registry Number that identifies benzene is 71-43-2.
Synonyms for benzene include: Benzol,
						  benzole, coal naphtha, cyclohexatriene, phenyl hydride,
						  pyrobenzol.
Benzin, petroleum benzin, and
						benzine are chemicals that do
not
contain benzene.
How am I exposed to
						benzene?
Benzene exposure occurs when you:
- Breath in
(inhale)
vapor or liquid particles (from actions such as spraying or
						splashing) containing benzene;
- Have skin or eye contact with
						liquid or vapor containing benzene. Benzene is absorbed through the
						skin. Absorption occurs more rapidly with abraded skin or when
						benzene is present in solvents (as an ingredient or contaminant)
						which are readily absorbed;
- Swallow
(ingest)
benzene.
What happens after I'm
						exposed to benzene?
Some benzene that enters your body
						will be absorbed into the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream,
						benzene travels throughout your body and can be temporarily stored in
						the bone marrow and fat.
Benzene is converted to products, called
						  metabolites, in the liver and bone marrow. Some of the harmful
						  effects of benzene exposure are caused by these metabolites.
Most of the metabolites of benzene leave the
						  body in the urine within 48 hours after exposure.
Why is medical monitoring
						necessary?
Medical monitoring is necessary to
						detect changes in your body's blood-forming system, including the
						bone marrow. These changes can occur due to repeated or prolonged,
						unprotected exposure to benzene, even at relatively low
						concentrations. Such changes can lead to various blood disorders,
						ranging from anemia to
leukemia,
an irreversible, fatal
						disease. Many of these disorders may occur without symptoms.
Benzene is classified as a confirmed
human carcinogen
(Group 1) by the International Agency
						  for Research on Cancer (IARC).
To learn more about the medical monitoring
						  process, see Medical evaluation, WAC
						  296-849-12030.
What health effects are
						linked to benzene exposure?
Unprotected exposure to benzene is
						associated with various health effects including symptoms and
						diseases associated with either short-term
(acute)
exposure or long-term exposure
(chronic).
Acute effects from inhaling high vapor
						  concentrations:
An
initial
stimulatory
						effect on the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) can
						occur, characterized by exhilaration, nervous excitation
						(irritability), and/or giddiness. This may be followed by a period of
						depression, drowsiness, or fatigue.
Headache, dizziness, nausea, or a feeling of
						  intoxication may develop.
A sensation of tightness in the chest may
						  occur, accompanied by breathlessness. Ultimately the victim may lose
						  consciousness.
In severe inhalation cases, tremors,
						  convulsions, and death may follow due to respiratory paralysis or
						  circulatory collapse in a few minutes to several hours.
Acute effects from inhaling
						liquid benzene:
Aspiration of small amounts of
						liquid benzene immediately causes pulmonary edema (excessive
						accumulation of fluid in lung tissues) and hemorrhage of pulmonary
						tissue.
Skin contact:
Direct contact may cause redness
						(erythema).
Benzene has a defatting action on
						skin. Repeated or prolonged contact may result in any of the
						following:
- Primary irritation;
- Dry skin;
- Scaling dermatitis
						(inflammation);
- Development of secondary skin
						infections.
Effects on the eyes and
						mucous membranes:
Localized effects from vapor or
						liquid contact on the eye are slight. High concentrations of benzene
						are irritating to eyes (causing a stinging sensation) and mucous
						membranes of the nose and respiratory tract.
Effects due to prolonged
						exposure:
The blood forming (hematopoietic)
						system is the main target for benzene's toxic effects. These effects
						can vary from anemia to
leukemia,
an irreversible, fatal
						disease. Many of the toxic effects may occur without symptoms.
Most importantly, prolonged
						exposure to
small
quantities of benzene vapor is
						damaging to the blood forming system. This damage has occurred at
						concentrations of benzene that may not cause irritation of mucous
						membranes or unpleasant sensory effects.
Early signs and
						symptoms
are varied and often not readily noticed and
						nonspecific. These include:
- Subjective complaints of
						headache, dizziness, and loss of appetite may precede or follow
						clinical signs;
- Rapid pulse and low blood
						pressure, in addition to a physical appearance of anemia, may
						accompany a subjective complaint of shortness of breath and excessive
						tiredness.
Other symptoms may occur as
						the condition progresses:
- Bleeding from the nose, gums, or
						mucous membranes;
AND
- Development of purpuric spots
						(small bruises).
Statutory Authority:
				  RCW  49.17.010,
				  49.17.040,
				  49.17.050,
				  49.17.060. 07-03-153,
				  § 296-849-60010, filed 1/23/07, effective
				  6/1/07.