What happens if you get benzene on your skin?

Exposure to benzene liquid or vapor can irritate the skin, eyes, and throat. Skin exposure to benzene can result in redness and blisters.

Is benzene a skin irritant?

Skin Contact: SKIN IRRITANT. Causes moderate to severe irritation. Symptoms include pain, redness, and swelling. Can be absorbed through the skin, but harmful effects are not expected.

Is benzene corrosive to skin?

Symptoms may include headache, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness and confusion. A severe exposure can cause unconsciousness. Skin Contact: SKIN IRRITANT. Causes moderate to severe irritation.

How much benzene is absorbed through the skin?

Humans may absorb benzene vapors through the skin as well as the lungs; of the total dose absorbed by the two routes, an estimated 22-36% enters the body through the skin (Susten, 1985).

What are the symptoms of benzene exposure?

Signs of Benzene Exposure

• Vomiting.
• Dizziness.
• Convulsions.
• Pain in the abdomen.
• Irritation of the stomach.
• Death.

How long does benzene stay in your body?

within 48 hours
Benzene is quickly eliminated from your system, usually within 48 hours. It is converted to products, medically known as metabolites, in the liver and bone marrow. Some of the harmful consequences of benzene exposure are caused by these metabolites.

Can benzene cause dermatitis?

Even at low levels, benzene exposure could cause dermatitis. Symptoms of dermatitis may include red, itchy and dry skin. In more concentrated exposures, benzene spills and vapors have the potential to cause second-degree burns. Benzene exposure doesn’t just have effects on the skin, though.

Does benzene cause permanent damage?

While benzene has an immediate effect of skin irritation, nausea, headaches and tiredness, exposure over the long term can lead to harmful effects on the bone marrow, a decrease in red blood cells leading to anaemia, damage to the immune system, cancer, leukaemia, death and a range of other health issues.

How is benzene absorbed?

As such, benzene readily crosses the alveolar membranes and is taken up by circulating blood in pulmonary vessels. Benzene is rapidly absorbed through the lungs; approximately 50% of the benzene inhaled in the air is absorbed. Benzene can also be readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

How do you remove benzene from skin?

Washing yourself

1. As quickly as possible, wash any benzene from your skin with large amounts of soap and water. Washing with soap and water will help protect people from any chemicals on their bodies.
2. If your eyes are burning or your vision is blurred, rinse your eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes.

Can benzene cause rashes?

Exposure to low levels of benzene vapors may cause dermatitis, a skin reaction characterized by dry, itchy, red skin.

What are the harmful effects of benzene?

– Depletion of intracellular glutathione – a critical antioxidant – Generation of oxygen free radicals – Induction of apoptosis or cellular death – DNA damage – Altered differentiation in progenitor cells – Depletion of the stem cell pool

How dangerous is benzene?

Benzene is a chemical that is a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature. It has a sweet odor and is highly flammable.

What does benzene do to your body?

Short term exposure to benzene can lead to irritation of the respiratory tract, eyes, and skin, and can even lead to dizziness, drowsiness, stupor, seizures, comas unconsciousness, and possibly death at higher levels. Benzene is also harmful to the skin.

What are the health hazards of benzene?

Chemical Stability: Normally stable.