Health Risk of Exposure to Non-Occupational Sources of Benzene

摘要

The health effects of benzene are summarized and a review is made of the various risk estimates which have been published on the likelihood of an increase in incidence of leukemia in the general population as a consequence of benzene in the ambient air. Sources of benzene exposure for the general population are identified and an indication given of the relative contribution from each source. Repeated exposure to high concentrations of benzene has been associated with the occurrence of leukemia, and benzene is therefore classified as a human carcinogen. A maximum permissible average workplace exposure of 5 ppm and an action level of 1.5 ppm, equivalent to 19,200 micro g daily intake, has been proposed in the European community. The principal sources of benzene exposure for the general public are diet, smoking and the ambient air. No health effects from exposures to current levels of benzene in ambient air have ever been detected. Although such effects cannot be completely excluded, they are likely to be extremely small. (Copyright (c) 1989 Concawe.)