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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: Benzine; Benzol; Cyclohexatriene

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 0320

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 71-43-2

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: CY1400000

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1114 130

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Benzene: Chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
 
Exposure Limits

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
General Industry: Cancer Hazard 29 CFR 1910.1028 -- 1 ppm TWA; 5 ppm STEL; 0.5 ppm Action Level
Note: The benzene standard (1910.1028) applies to all occupational exposures to benzene except some subsegments of industry where exposures are consistently under the (Action Level) (i.e. distribution and sale of fuels, sealed containers and pipelines, coke production, oil and gas drilling and production, natural gas processing, and the percentage exclusion for liquid mixtures); for the excepted subsegments, the benzene limits in 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-2 apply.
TABLE Z-2: 10 ppm TWA; Also, exposures shall not exceed 25 ppm (ceiling) with the following exception: exposures may exceed 25 ppm, but not more than 50 ppm (peak), for a single time period up to 10 minutes for an 8-hour shift.

Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.1128 requirements identical to 1910.1028.

Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1028 requirements identical to 1910.1028.
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 0.5 ppm TWA; 2.5 ppm STEL; Skin; Appendix A1 - Confirmed Human Carcinogen; BEI

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 0.1 ppm TWA; 1 ppm STEL; Appendix A - NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens

Health Factors

Carcinogenic Classification:

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Group 1, carcinogenic to humans [217 KB PDF, 3 pages]

National Toxicology Program (NTP): Known to be a human carcinogen [155 KB PDF, 3 pages]

NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 500 ppm

Potential Symptoms: Eye, nose, respiratory system irritation; impairment of hearing; CNS disturbances; giddiness; headache; nausea; staggered gait; fatigue; anorexia; lassitude; seizures; unconsciousness; dermatitis; anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, aplastic anemia, infection or hemorrhage secondary to bone marrow depression; cardiac sensitization, dyspnea and tachycardia.

Health Effects: Leukemia (HE1); cumulative bone marrow damage (HE12); CNS depression (HE7, 8); respiratory arrest (HE11); cardiovascular collapse; aplastic anemia (HE12); Irritation (HE16); LDLo (oral, human) 130 mg/kg

Affected Organs: Blood, CNS, skin, bone marrow, eyes, respiratory system, ears, cardiovascular system

Date Last Revised: 01/29/2003

Literature Basis:

  • (dermatitis, severe vomiting...)
    Henderson, R.F.: Aromatic hydrocarbons - Benzene and other alkylbenzenes (Chapter 51). In: Patty's Toxicology, 5th Ed. Vol. 4., Bingham, E., Cohrssen, B., and Powell, C.H. eds. New York: John Willey & Sons, Inc., pp. 235-252, 2001.
  • (CNS depression)
    Robles, H.: Benzene. In: Encyclopedia of Toxicology, Vol.1, Wexler, P. ed. New York: Academic Press, pp. 133-134, 1998.
  • (coma, blisterring and respiratory arrest)
    Landrigan, P.J., and Nicholson, W.J.: Benzene (Chapter 79). In: Environmental & Occupational Medicine, 3rd Ed., Rom W.N. ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott - Raven Publishers, pp. 1109-1113, 1998.
  • (cardiovascular collapse)
    Irons, R.D.: Benzene and other hemotoxins (Chapter 63). In: Hazardous Materials Toxicology, Clinical Principles of Environmental Health, J. B. Sullivan, Jr. and G. R. Krieger eds. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, pp. 718-728, 1992.
  • (seizures, unconsciousness)
    Benzene, International Chemical Safety Card
  • (anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, aplastic anemia, infection or hemorrhage)
    ATSDR, Case Studies in Environmental Medicine, Course #SS3039.
     
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
  • sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections)
    analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
    alternate solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:Dimethylformamide
    maximum volume: 12 Liters   
    maximum flow rate:     0.05 L/min TWA
    maximum volume: 0.75 Liters   
    maximum flow rate:     0.05 L/min STEL
    minimum time: 15 Minutes   
    maximum flow rate:     0.05 L/min Ceiling
    minimum time: 10 Minutes   
    maximum flow rate:     0.05 L/min (Peak)
    current analytical method: Gas Chromatography;GC/FID
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1005)
    method classification: Fully Validated

  • sampling media: Diffusive Sampler (3M 3520 Orgainc Vapor Monitor)
    analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
    alternate solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:Dimethylformamide
    sampling time: 10 to 240 Min
    current analytical method: Gas Chromatography;GC/FID
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1005)
    method classification: Fully Validated
    note: Persons using diffusive samplers to monitor workplace air must ensure that the sampling devices are properly closed before transporting such devices to the laboratory for analysis. The device will continue to sample until properly closed. Diffusive sampler accessories used for analysis of samplers must be included with transported samples. Persons using such devices must provide sampling-site station barometric pressure and temperature to the analytical laboratory to improve accuracy of sampling results.

  • sampling media: Diffusive Sampler (SKC 575-002 Passive Sampler)
    analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
    alternate solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:Dimethylformamide
    sampling time: 10 to 240 Min
    current analytical method: Gas Chromatography;GC/FID
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1005)
    method classification: Fully Validated
    note: Persons using diffusive samplers to monitor workplace air must ensure that the sampling devices are properly closed before transporting such devices to the laboratory for analysis. The device will continue to sample until properly closed. Diffusive sampler accessories used for analysis of samplers must be included with transported samples. Persons using such devices must provide sampling-site station barometric pressure and temperature to the analytical laboratory to improve accuracy of sampling results.
On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:
  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: Gastec
    model/type: 121
    sampling information: 1 to 4 strokes
    upper measurement limit: 120 ppm
    detection limit: 0.5 ppm
    overall uncertainty: 16.4% for 5 to 20 ppm, 8.2% for 20 to 60 ppm
    method reference: on-site air secondary (SEI Certified)

  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
    model/type: 8014-118SC
    sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
    upper measurement limit: 100 ppm
    detection limit: approximately 0.2 ppm
    overall uncertainty: unknown
    method reference: on-site air secondary (SEI Certified)

  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: Dräger
    model/type: Benzene 5/b, order no. 67 28071
    sampling information: 20 strokes
    upper measurement limit: 50 ppm
    detection limit: approximately 1 ppm
    overall uncertainty: 25%
    method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
Wipe Sampling Method:
  • current analytical method: Yes, with charcoal pad from 3M 3500 or 3520 Organic Vapor Monitor; Solvent: none
    note: Ship sample in a sealed 20 mL glass scintillation vial.

Bulk Method:

  • current analytical method: High performance liquid chromatography; HPLC/UV
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 12)
    method classification: Fully Validated
    note: Do not ship bulk samples with air samples.

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Page last updated: 01/25/2010

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