The ATSDR toxicological profile succinctly characterizes the toxicology and adverse health effects information for the toxic substance described therein. Each peer-reviewed profile identifies and reviews the key literature that describes a substance's toxicological properties. Profiles are updated on a periodic basis and released for a public comment period. For more information visit ATSDR.

Contents

• DISCLAIMER
• UPDATE STATEMENT
• FOREWORD
• QUICK REFERENCE FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
• CONTRIBUTORS
• PEER REVIEW
• 1. PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT
  • 1.1. WHAT IS BENZENE?
  • 1.2. WHAT HAPPENS TO BENZENE WHEN IT ENTERS THE ENVIRONMENT?
  • 1.3. HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED TO BENZENE?
  • 1.4. HOW CAN BENZENE ENTER AND LEAVE MY BODY?
  • 1.5. HOW CAN BENZENE AFFECT MY HEALTH?
  • 1.6. HOW CAN BENZENE AFFECT CHILDREN?
  • 1.7. HOW CAN FAMILIES REDUCE THE RISK OF EXPOSURE TO BENZENE?
  • 1.8. IS THERE A MEDICAL TEST TO DETERMINE WHETHER I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO BENZENE?
  • 1.9. WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MADE TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH?
  • 1.10. WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
• 2. RELEVANCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH
  • 2.1. BACKGROUND AND ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES TO BENZENE IN THE UNITED STATES
  • 2.2. SUMMARY OF HEALTH EFFECTS
  • 2.3. MINIMAL RISK LEVELS (MRLs)
• 3. HEALTH EFFECTS
  • 3.1. INTRODUCTION
  • 3.2. DISCUSSION OF HEALTH EFFECTS BY ROUTE OF EXPOSURE
  • 3.3. GENOTOXICITY
  • 3.4. TOXICOKINETICS
  • 3.5. MECHANISMS OF ACTION
  • 3.6. TOXICITIES MEDIATED THROUGH THE NEUROENDOCRINE AXIS
  • 3.7. CHILDREN’S SUSCEPTIBILITY
  • 3.8. BIOMARKERS OF EXPOSURE AND EFFECT
  • 3.9. INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER CHEMICALS
  • 3.10. POPULATIONS THAT ARE UNUSUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE
  • 3.11. METHODS FOR REDUCING TOXIC EFFECTS
  • 3.12. ADEQUACY OF THE DATABASE
• 4. CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL INFORMATION
  • 4.1. CHEMICAL IDENTITY
  • 4.2. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
• 5. PRODUCTION, IMPORT/EXPORT, USE, AND DISPOSAL
  • 5.1. PRODUCTION
  • 5.2. IMPORT/EXPORT
  • 5.3. USE
  • 5.4. DISPOSAL
• 6. POTENTIAL FOR HUMAN EXPOSURE
  • 6.1. OVERVIEW
  • 6.2. RELEASES TO THE ENVIRONMENT
  • 6.3. ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
  • 6.4. LEVELS MONITORED OR ESTIMATED IN THE ENVIRONMENT
  • 6.5. GENERAL POPULATION AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
  • 6.6. EXPOSURES OF CHILDREN
  • 6.7. POPULATIONS WITH POTENTIALLY HIGH EXPOSURES
  • 6.8. ADEQUACY OF THE DATABASE
• 7. ANALYTICAL METHODS
  • 7.1. BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
  • 7.2. ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES
  • 7.3. ADEQUACY OF THE DATABASE
• 8. REGULATIONS AND ADVISORIES
• 9. REFERENCES
• 10. GLOSSARY
• APPENDICES
  • APPENDIX A. ATSDR MINIMAL RISK LEVELS AND WORKSHEETS
  • APPENDIX B. USER’S GUIDE
  • APPENDIX C. ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS, AND SYMBOLS
• ADDENDUM TO THE TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE FOR BENZENE