Benzene Resource Links
ATSDR ToxFAQs - Benzene
Fact sheet from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry outlines benzene's effects upon human health and the environment.
Occupational Safety & Health Administration - Benzene
Contains links to fact sheets and regulations regarding benzene exposure limits.
Benzene Exposure
Benzene was identified as a carcinogen and can cause various forms of leukemia from just five years of exposure, resulting in death in some instances.
ECO-USA.NET - Benzene
WHAT DO THE EXPERT AGENCIES SAY?
The National Toxicology Program evaluates exposures that may be carcinogenic. Exposures that are thought to be carcinogenic are included in the Reports on Carcinogens, published every two years. Each exposure is assigned to one of two categories: "known to be human carcinogens," and "reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens." The first category includes substances for which human studies (epidemiology studies and/or experimental studies) provide "sufficient evidence" of carcinogenicity in humans. The second category includes substances for which there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and/or sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals. Using this scheme, the National Toxicology Program classifies benzene a "known carcinogen" (NCEA, 1998).
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) also evaluates exposures that may be carcinogenic. IARC classifies exposures into one of four categories: Group 1 exposures are those "known to be carcinogenic to humans," usually based on "sufficient" human evidence, but sometimes based on "sufficient" evidence in experimental animals and "strong" human evidence. Group 2 exposures are divided into two categories. Group 2A ("probably carcinogenic to humans") has stronger evidence, and Group 2B ("possibly carcinogenic to humans") has weaker evidence. Group 3 exposures are not considered classifiable, because available evidence is limited or inadequate. Finally, Group 4 exposures are "probably not carcinogenic to humans," based on evidence suggesting lack of carcinogenicity in humans and in experimental animals. IARC rated benzene as "known to be carcinogenic to humans" (Group 1) (IARC v.29, 1982).
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E-29
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (404)-498-0093
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov |
