Benzene

CAS Number

71-43-2

Synonym

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

MADL w/ File

Chemical Status

Cancer:	Currently listed
Reproductive Toxicity :	Currently listed

Cancer

Cancer - Listing Mechanism

Labor Code

Listed as causing :	Listed as causing: Cancer
Date of Listing:	02/27/1987

Reproductive Toxicity

Listed as causing:	Developmental Toxicity Male Reproductive Toxicity
Developmental Toxicity
Date of Listing:	12/26/1997
Basis for Listing :	State's Qualified Experts
Male Reproductive Toxicity
Date of Listing:	12/26/1997
Basis for Listing :	State's Qualified Experts

Safe Harbor Levels

No Significant Risk Level (NSRL) - Oral

6.4 µg/day

No Significant Risk Level (NSRL) - Inhalation

13 µg/day

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:	No Significant Risk Level for Benzene
Reproductive Toxicity:	Maximum Allowable Dose Level for Benzene May 1, 2001 Benzene Hazard Identification Document

Cancer:

No Significant Risk Level for Benzene

Reproductive Toxicity:

Maximum Allowable Dose Level for Benzene

May 1, 2001

Benzene Hazard Identification Document

Comments

Benzene Fact Sheet

Public notices related to this chemical

Water

California Public Health Goals Data

Health Risk Category:	Carcinogenicity (leukemia)
Public Health Goal (mg/L):	0.00015
Public Health Goal - Download:	benzenefinphg.pdf
Cancer Risk at PHG:	0.000001
MCL value (mg/L):	0.001
Cancer Risk at MCL:	0.000007
Last PHG Revision :	2001