Environmental Health & Safety

General

• Benzene is a chemical with a specific OSHA regulation
• OSU Chemical Safety Committee has classified the chemical benzene as a High hazard carcinogen
• Use of this chemical must be registered and controlled

Characteristics

• Benzene is a clear, sweet-smelling, highly flammable liquid
• It is also known as benzol, benzole, coal naphtha, cyclohexatriene, phene, phenyl hydride, and pyrobenzol
• Benzene is harmful if it is inhaled, absorbed through the skin or swallowed
• Although benzene is carcinogenic, it can be used with little risk to health if used properly

Use Registration

• Each individual in charge of an activity using benzene must register this use with EH&S on a High Hazard Carcinogen Registration Form. 

Monitoring

• Whenever benzene is used outside an approved laboratory fume hood, EH&S should be contacted to perform air sampling
• The permissible exposure level (PEL) for benzene is 1 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workday
• Additional precautions must be taken if benzene levels exceed the PEL
• Users may monitor their own benzene exposure after consulting with EH&S
• Results of benzene monitoring must be documented, including:
  • dates, number, and results of testing;
  • methods used in testing and taking air samples;
  • description of the type of any respirators worn;
  • names and social security numbers of the people exposed
• Monitoring documentation must be kept on file for at least 30 years
• Department responsible for using the benzene must show the written results of all benzene testing to all affected workers
• Notification must be made within 15 working days after receiving the results and must include actions to reduce the benzene level if the PEL has been exceeded
• All employees who work with benzene has the right to observe the testing procedures

Training

• Before workers use benzene, they must be given information and training about how to use the chemical safely
• Reviewing and understanding this Safety Instruction will meet the minimum benzene training requirement
• Additional information about benzene is available from EH&S and other sources

Health Hazards of Benzene

• Short-term exposure to benzene, well above the levels where it can be smelled can cause breathless, irritable, euphoric, or giddy feelings
• Throat, eyes, and nose may become irritated
• Symptoms include feeling dizzy, nauseated, intoxicated, or a headache
• Severe exposure can cause unconsciousnees or convulsions



• Long-term exposure, even at very low concentrations, may cause incurable, fatal blood disorders such as anemia or leukemia.
• Many of these disorders associated with benzene develop without early symptoms. 

Protective Clothing and Equipment

• Respirators are required where laboratory fume hoods or other local exhaust systems cannot be used
• Respirators must be approved for use with benzene and properly fitted and cartridges must be replaced before their service life ends
• Wearers must be trained in use and understand limitations before using any respirator.
• Respirator use is further described in Safety Instruction # 20
• Never enter an area without proper safety equipment if the area may have benzene concentrations that are too high
  
  
• Protective clothing should be worn to prevent skin contact if working with benzene
• Use boots, gloves, sleeves, aprons, etc. over any part of the body that might contact liquid benzene



• Eye and Face protection should be worn to prevent benzene from being splashed into eyes
• Gear includes safety glasses, splash-proof safety goggles, or a face shield

Emergency and First Aid Procedures

• Splashed in eyes
  • wash out immediately with large amounts of water
  • if eyes remain irritated or vision becomes blurry, see a doctor as soon as possible
• Spilled on body
  • take off the contaminated clothing
  • thoroughly wash the contacted skin with soap and water immediately
  • wash contaminated clothes before wearing them again
• Inhaled large amounts
  • quickly get the exposed person to fresh air quickly
  • apply artificial respiration if the person has stopped breathing
  • call for medical assistance
• Swallowed
  • do not induce vomiting
  • call for medical assistance

Precautions for Safe Use, Handling, and Storage

• Benzene is highly flammable
• Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from sparks or flames
• Transfer of benzene from one container to another must be done in welle ventilated area
• Transfer only with grounded, non-sparking equipment
• Benzene vapors are heavier than air so vapors may travel along the ground and ignite somewhere away from where it is being handled
• Fire extinguishers must be readily available

Signs and Labels

• Warning signs must be posted at entranced to areas where exposure to benzene might reasonably be expected to exceed the PEL
• Signs must contain the following wording: 

• All benzene containers must be labeled with: 

Spill and Disposal Procedure

• Contact EH&S for assistance in dealing with all benzene spills of more than 500 ml
• Small spills should be immediately cleaned up using an appropriate absorbent
• Waste material should be contained and disposed of through the hazardous waste disposal program
• Benzene must not be poured down the sewer system. 

Medical Surveillance

• A medical surveillance program must be established for those people who work regularly with benzene at or above the PEL
• Contact EH&S for the specific benzene levels and program procedures

Additional Information

• Contact EH&S for more information regarding safe handling procedures or copies of the state safety regulations on benzene