Benzene
CAS Number
71-43-2Synonym
AI3-00808; (6)Annulene; Benzol; Benzole; Caswell No. 077; Coal naphtha; Cyclohexatriene; NCI-C55276; Phene; Phenyl hydride; Polystream; Pyrobenzol; EPA Pesticide Code: 008801
Occurrence/Use
Additive in gasoline, solvent, oil extraction, photogravure printing, veterinary medicine (disinfectant); production of detergents, explosives, pharmaceuticals, and dyestuffs; chemical intermediate in production of ethylbenzene (styrene), cumene, cyclohexane; component of combustion emissions and tobacco smoke
Soil Screening
| Last CHHSL revision: | 1/2005 |
|---|---|
| CHHSL Comments: |
For chemical-specific screening levels for use in assessing contaminated sites, please see HHRA Note 3 (DTSC HERO). https://www.dtsc.ca.gov/assessingrisk/humanrisk2.cfm |
Cancer Potency Information
| Latest Criteria: | Proposition 65 NSRLs/MADLs |
|---|---|
| Inhalation Unit Risk (μg/cubic meter)-1: | 2.9 E-5 |
| Inhalation Slope Factor (mg/kg-day)-1: | 1.0 E-1 |
| Oral Slope Factor (mg/kg-day)-1: | 1.0 E-1 |
| Comments/References: |
OEHHA 2009. Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Technical Support Document for Cancer Potencies. Appendix B. Chemical-specific summaries of the information used to derive unit risk and cancer potency values. Updated 2011.
CDHS 1984. Health Effects of Benzene. |
Air
Acute RELs
| Acute REL (μg/m3): | 27 |
|---|---|
| Species: | Mouse |
| Acute REL Toxicologic Endpoint: | Reproductive/ development; aplastic anemia and acute myelogenous leukemia |
| Acute REL Target Organs: | Reproductive/ development, immune system, hematologic system |
| Severity: | Severe |
| Last Acute REL Revision: | 2014 |
| Acute Reference Exposure Levels Comments: |
OEHHA 2008. Technical Supporting Document for Noncancer RELs, Appendix D1. Updated 2014. |
8-Hour RELs
| 8-Hour Inhalation REL (μg/m3): | 3 |
|---|---|
| Last 8-Hour REL Revision: | 2014 |
| 8-Hour Reference Exposure Levels Comments: |
OEHHA 2008. Technical Supporting Document for Noncancer RELs, Appendix D1. Updated 2014. |
Chronic REL
| Chronic Inhalation REL (μg/m3): | 3 |
|---|---|
| Chronic Target Organs: | Hematologic system, nervous system, development |
| Human Data: | Yes |
| Last Chronic REL Revision: | 2014 |
| Chronic Reference Exposure Levels Comments: |
OEHHA 2008. Technical Supporting Document for Noncancer RELs, Appendix D1. Updated 2014. |
Proposition 65
Chemical Status
| Cancer: | Currently listed |
|---|---|
| Reproductive Toxicity : | Currently listed |
Cancer
| Listed as causing : | Listed as causing: Cancer |
|---|---|
| Date of Listing: |
Reproductive Toxicity
| Listed as causing: | Developmental Toxicity Male Reproductive Toxicity | Developmental Toxicity |
|---|---|
| Date of Listing: | |
| Basis for Listing : | State's Qualified Experts | Male Reproductive Toxicity |
| Date of Listing: | |
| Basis for Listing : | State's Qualified Experts |
Safe Harbor Levels
| Cancer | |
| Reproductive Toxicity | |
| Maximum Allowable Dose Level (MADL) - Inhalation: | 49 µg/day |
|---|---|
| Maximum Allowable Dose Level (MADL) - Oral: | 24 µg/day |
| Last NSRL/MADL Revision: | 2003 |
Documents, Presentations, and Publications
| Cancer: |
|
|---|---|
| Reproductive Toxicity: |
|
Comments
Public notices related to this chemical
- Chemicals Listed Effective December 26, 1997 as Known to the State to Cause Reproductive Toxicity: Benzene
- December 9, 1997 Meeting of the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant (DART) Identification Committee
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Amendments to Sections 12705 (10 chemicals) and 12805 (arsenic)
- Final Statement of Reasons for the Amended Section 12705 Adding the NSRLs for Benzene and Bromoform
- Notice of Modifications to Text of Regulations Title 22, California Code of Regulations Sections 12705 and 12805
Water
California Public Health Goals Data
| Health Risk Category: | Carcinogenicity (leukemia) |
|---|---|
| Public Health Goal (mg/L): | 0.00015 |
| Public Health Goal - Download: |
|
| Cancer Risk at PHG: | 0.000001 |
| MCL value (mg/L): | 0.001 |
| Cancer Risk at MCL: | 0.000007 |
| Last PHG Revision : | 2001 |
Benzene Fact Sheet