Benzene: A toxic history

Benzene has a long history of endangering public health. Most people living in U.S cities are exposed to it every day.

Benzene is a solvent widely used in industry, and gasoline contains benzene. As early as 1897 the link between benzene and aplastic anemia became evident. Studies in the late 1920s linked benzene to abnormally low white blood cell counts and leukemia in benzene workers.

In 1948, the American Petroleum Institute in 1948 concluded that the only absolutely safe level of exposure to benzene is zero; but they still recommended 50 parts per million as the standard limit for exposure. In the next two decades, many workers died from exposure to benzene.

A study in 1977 directly linked benzene exposure to leukemia. This prompted the U.S Department of Labor to call for reducing exposure to one part per million. But the Supreme Court ruled to severely limit regulatory action. This ruling delayed adoption of the new safer standard until 1987. The 10-year delay was responsible for more than 200 deaths in the United States.

Today benzene continues to plague residents of Houston, Texas, one of the largest industrial complexes in the country. Last year, Houston Mayor's Task Force on Health Effects of Air Pollution placed benzene among the list of 12 pollutants causing the greatest risk to people living in the area. Studies show high levels of benzene and other toxic pollution is associated with cancer, liver and kidney damage in nearby neighborhoods.