Benzene is a colourless liquid with a sweet odour. Benzene is a chemical consisting of six atoms of each carbon and hydrogen, arranged in a ring structure. At normal temperatures it is a liquid, but readily evaporates.
Sources
There are no well-defined natural sources of benzene and all the benzene observed at ground level is likely to have been created from human activity. Petrol-engined vehicle exhausts, petrol refining, distribution and uncontrolled emissions from petrol station forecourts without vapour recovery systems provide the main source of benzene.
Health Effects
Benzene is a known human carcinogen. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause Leukaemia, cancer of the blood forming organs. Breathing benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, confusion and unconsciousness. Long term exposure causes effects on the bone marrow and also anaemia.
