BENZENE - C6H6

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Benzene is a colorless, flammable, toxic liquid with a characteristic aromatic odor. Benzene is a confirmed human carcinogen and a possible human mutagen. Inhalation of vapors of Benzene can cause serious, permanent damage to the blood system. Skin and eye contact can be irritating. This liquid is very flammable; vapors are heavier than air and may travel long distances to source of ignition and flashback. If involved in a fire Benzene will decompose to produce toxic gases (e.g., carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, irritating aldehydes and ketones). Persons responding to fires or emergencies involving Benzene must have adequate fire protection and wear personal protective equipment to protect against the significant health hazards posed by Benzene. SYMPTOMS OF OVEREXPOSURE BY ROUTE OF EXPOSURE: Benzene is a serious poison by all routes of exposure. The symptoms HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INFORMATION of each route of exposure are described below. SYSTEM Benzene are due to the initial excitation, followed by depression of the INHALATION: The immediate symptoms of inhalation of vapors of (BLUE) 2 central nervous system. Central nervous system symptoms include drowsiness, headache, nausea, incoordination and unconsciousness, that can lead to death in severe cases. Other symptoms of acute overexposure to vapors of Benzene can include transient euphoria, (RED) 3 ataxia (incoordination of voluntary muscular movements), vertigo, tinnitus, substernal pain, cough, hoarseness and general irritation of the nose, throat and respiratory tract, confusion, stupefaction and coma. In cases of severe overexposure (as may occur in a confined space, or other poorly ventilated areas, or if large volumes are used or released), 0 (YELLOW) tremors, convulsions and death, due to respiratory paralysis or circulatory collapse can occur within minutes to several hours following exposure. Reversible liver and kidney effects have been reported after P R O T E C T IV E E Q U IP M E N T X exposure to Benzene. The effects associated with various levels of Benzene vapors are as follows: EYES RESPIRATORY HANDS BODY CONCENTRATION SYMPTOM OF EXPOSURE Brief (10 minute) up to 25 ppm: No symptoms. See 50-150 ppm: Exhilaration, headache, tiredness, nose and throat irritation. 20,000 (for 5-10 min): Collapse and death For routine industrial applications One of the most significant health effects associated with Benzene is See Section 16 for Definition of Ratings the potential for blood system disorders which develop after long-term exposures to relatively low vapor concentrations. There are reports that exposure to low levels (10 ppm) over an extended time period (24 weeks) of Benzene vapors can damage the bone marrow and blood systems. This damage can result in the development of serious health disorders (including anemia and leukemia). Adverse effects on the immune system have also been reported. Refer to “Other Health Effects” in this section for further information. CONTACT WITH SKIN or EYES: Contact with the skin can cause irritation and redness. Repeated or prolonged contact can also cause dermatitis, resulting in dry, itchy, cracked skin as Benzene is a defatting agent, removing oils from the skin. Contact with the vapors of Benzene and the eyes will be irritating. Direct contact of the liquid with the eyes can cause irritation, pain; prolonged contact may result in tissue damage. SKIN ABSORPTION: Benzene poisoning through skin contact has been reported, although skin absorption is not considered as significant a route of exposure as via inhalation or ingestion. Symptoms of absorption may be similar to those described in “Ingestion”. INGESTION: Ingestion of Benzene will cause a burning sensation in the mouth and stomach, nausea, vomiting, excess salivation and vomiting of blood. Benzene is readily absorbed into the body following ingestion exposures, producing symptoms of central nervous system depression and other symptoms similar to those described in “Inhalation”. If ingested, Benzene presents a potential aspiration hazard. Aspiration of even small amounts of Benzene into the lungs can result in immediate pulmonary edema (a potentially fatal accumulation of fluid in the lungs), chemical pneumonitis and hemorrhage of pulmonary tissue. INJECTION: Injection is not anticipated to be a significant route of overexposure for Benzene. If Benzene is “injected” (as may occur through punctures by contaminated, sharp objects), symptoms described in “Inhalation” can occur. (Continued)

Other Health Effects

The chief target organ affected by serious Benzene exposure is the blood and bone marrow system. Chronic Benzene exposure eventually leads to pancytopenia (abnormal decrease of all three formed elements of the blood; hemoglobin, disease-fighting leukocytes and blood-clotting thrombocytes), followed by thrombocytopenia (problems with the blood-clotting properties of the blood) and anemia. These syndromes can lead to sudden, overwhelming infections. After exposure to Benzene, bleeding from the nose, gums, or mucous membranes and development of small bruises can occur. Benzene is a confirmed human carcinogen and can produce forms of leukemia. Direct contact with the liquid with mucous membranes will result in the development of hemorrhagic lesions.

Potential health effects

OR RISKS FROM EXPOSURE An Explanation in Lay Terms. Overexposure to may cause the described on the following page ACUTE: Acute inhalation overexposure to Benzene will initially act as a narcotic, possibly leading to coma in extreme cases. Following exposure to high concentrations, victims may be unconscious, and if exposure continues, death can follow from respiratory failure and circulatory collapse. Contact with the skin can cause irritation and dermatitis. Contact with the eyes is irritating, causing burning and watering of the eyes. Ingestion of Benzene will cause gastric distress, hemorrhage and possible severe depression of the central nervous system. Aspiration of Benzene into the lungs, following ingestion, can result in severe damage to the lungs; death may result. CHRONIC: Chronic exposure to Benzene causes serious damage to the health by all routes of exposure. Chronic oral and inhalation exposure causes severe effects on the blood system, including damage to the bone marrow, leading to a decrease in production or changes to the cells of hemoglobin, hematocrit, red and white blood cells. Effects can occur with an exposure level as low as 10 ppm for 24 weeks. Benzene also causes harmful changes to the immune system, decreasing the production of mature B- and T- white blood cells. Benzene is a confirmed human carcinogen, which can produce Hodgkin’s Disease, leukemia and lymphomas by inhalation. Human mutation data are reported for Benzene. See Section 11 (Toxicological Information) for further information. Symptoms of chronic exposure by most routes can be delayed for months to years after exposure has ceased. TARGET ORGANS: Respiratory system, central nervous system, blood and immune systems, bone marrow, heart, liver, kidneys, skin, eyes, and reproductive system. What should I do if a hazardous situation occurs?