Homeopathic Heal Information - News about alternative medicine

Understanding The Health Risks Of Exposure To Benzene

Benzene is a colorless, sweet smelling, highly combustible liquid that is extensively used in chemical industries and other manufacturing industries like rubber, plastics, paints, resins, drugs, pesticides, and synthetic products.

Gasoline and tobacco smoke also contain traces of this chemical. Benzene is a known carcinogen. Long-term exposure to a carcinogen is a potential health hazard. Various diseases ranging from anemia to cancer have been reported in workers and other persons exposed to benzene for long periods. The law provides for compensation for benzene afflicted health effects.

Exposures to benzene can take place through a number of sources. Workers in many industries are exposed to benzene vapors. Spills, leaks, and accidents also occur. Some amount of benzene is present in the atmosphere as by- product of human activity. It's also found in automobile exhausts, cigarette smoke, paint fumes, and hazardous wastes. People living near these industries are also vulnerable to benzene exposures.

Benzene can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin infusion. Short period exposure may be attributed to the following symptoms:

Confusion Sleepiness Rapid pulse Loss of consciousness Anemia Damage to the nervous system Suppression of the immune system

Death may also occur if a large concentration of benzene enters the body due to spills, leaks, or accidents. Long-term exposure may cause:

* Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood

* Secondary Aplastic Anemia

* Damage to the reproductive system

Other types of leukemia and severe anemia are also reported in long-term exposure. Benzene enters the blood stream and gets broken down in the liver leading to formation of harmful metabolites. It affects bone marrow and fatty tissues. It can prevent bone marrow from producing enough red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. In addition, it can impair the immune system by altering antibody levels in blood and the depletion of white blood cells. The amount, route, and length of time of exposure, as well as the age and preexisting medical condition of the exposed person determines the seriousness of the impact.

As benzene is a potential health hazard, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) monitor levels of benzene. EPA monitors levels in air and water and OSHA looks after occupational health issues of the workers. Removing your clothes, washing your entire body with soap and water, and getting medical care are the immediate steps you need to take if you think that you have been exposed to benzene.

Independent tests carried out in the United States in early 2006, indicate levels of benzene 2-5 times the World Health Organization (WHO) water quality guideline levels of 10 parts per billion (ppb or 0.01 milligrams per liter). There is a growing concern about the rising health hazards of this chemical. OSHA has mandated that exposure levels should be restricted to 1 part of benzene per million parts of air (based on a 40-hour workweek). If these stringent provisions are not followed and general awareness about benzene related health effects are not raised, incidences of people getting sick or dying from exposure to benzene will continue to rise.

Disclaimer - The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to a qualified professional for more information about Benzene.

Copyright ? 2006, Heather Colman. Find more Benzene resources at: http://www.benzene-center.info and http://www.ebookpalace.com

Bach Flower Therapy
About this therapy
Bach Flower Essences Shop (German)
Bach Flower Essences Shop (UK)
Where to buy Original Bach Flower Remedies
Doc Nature - Bach Flower Remedies Advisor
How to use Bach Flowers
About Bach Flower Remedies & Essences
Dr Bach
Read more about the life of Dr Bach

MORE ARTICLES:

The Service Roundtable Announces Guaranteed Health Care Coverage For Its Members: Plumbing & Air Conditioning Contractors
The Service Roundtable, the world's largest private contractor business alliance, has partnered with leading health care providers to solve one of the contracting community's most daunting challenges, affordable health care. The Service Roundtable's program, administered by one of the nation's largest insurance brokerage firms, covers all 50 states and offers a range of plans, including, medical, dental, vision and prescription drugs. Service Roundtable members have guaranteed acceptance for basic coverage.

Charleston Metro Area Gets New Childcare Alternative
Dawn Hong brings a new service to the Charleston area. Capitol Nannies, LLC is a nanny placement agency that gives parents access to prescreened, qualified childcare providers. Live-in and live-out nannies on a full-time or part-time basis; as well as a temporary and on-call service.

Southwest Georgia Health Care Signs Contract for USMD's Care Series
USMD, the leader in collaborative care management by connecting the payer, provider and patient, today announced Southwest Georgia Health Care has signed a contract for USMD's Care Series, the company's comprehensive suite of collaborative care management solutions.

Outdoor Gear Specialist Coaxsher? Creates Mobile, Versatile Packs for Wildland Fire Fighters & Search and Rescue Teams
Dedicated to providing quality products for wildland fire fighters and search and rescue teams, outdoor gear specialist Coaxsher? is excited to announce the creation of two new outdoor packs, FS-1 Spotter and SR-1 Recon, for maximum mobility and versatility.

Resveratrol (50%) and Health
Reservatrol is the secret to the wonderful health properties of red wine.

New Rebounder Website Opens, Dedicated to Promoting the Health Benefits of Rebounding
iRebounder.com opens its doors to the public with a new website dedicated to promoting the many health benefits of rebounding. The site provides lots of useful information about rebounding. Sells a wide selection of the most popular rebounders made by companies like Needak and Bellicon and offers a forum where people can interact with other mini trampoline owners.

12 Best Tips For Better Health
The great step to having better health is admitting the fact that you wants to make change towards appropriate healthier and fitter These are some tips can be help you improve your health and make you to reach a new

Employers Tackling Health Care Challenges with 21st Century Benefit Design; New Issue Brief from HealthFitness Charts New Course for Better Employee H
Gregg O. Lehman, PhD, past president of the National Business Coalition on Health, speaks about major challenges employers face....and the strategies they are using to combat ever-rising health costs through personal accountability.

Celebrity News Service Expands Entertainment News Service Offerings
Leading news and content service provider announces the addition of the Lifestyle & Arts and Celebrity Profiles to its entertainment and celebrity news service. (CNS) provides around-the-clock coverage of the latest news coming from the world of entertainment, art, books and Broadway and music with exclusive interviews with the stars and staff that work both in front and behind the curtains at today's hottest shows.

Cliff Kuhn M.D.s Fun Commandments Unlock Humors Amazingly Powerful Natural Medicine
My Fun Commandments are more relevant today than ever before because I continue to explore and enlarge their scope and impact. They are your wellspring for finding freedom from your pain and illness, navigating swiftly through grief and change, having relationships better than you ever dreamed, ridding yourself of your bad habits once and for all, finding and loving a job of your dreams, and so much more.

Herbal Remedies For Menopause
People becoming educated about the efficacy of herbal remedies for many medical conditions ranging from migraines to skin conditions. Many women have found more success using herbal remedies to combat their menopause symptoms than they did with prescription drugs suggested by their physicians. There are many different options available to women seeking herbal menopause remedies. It is important to learn which ones are most effective and provide the most relief for your particular symptoms.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Law Information
Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code governs the process of reorganization under the bankruptcy laws of the United States.When a troubled business decides that it is unable to service its debt or pay its creditors, it can file (or be forced by its creditors to file) with a federal bankruptcy court for bankruptcy protection under either Chapter 7 (liquidation) or Chapter 11.

What Are The Health And Fitness Issues That Concern Americans The Most?
Health and fitness are clearly central themes for every single one of us, if the number of available opinions on the subject is anything to go by. The deluge of new health and fitness articles published each month can be a little overwhelming. How is a person supposed to wade through all the information to find the nuggets he or she was looking for, without losing your mind in the process? We have done a little of the data crunching for you, to offer you our compact guide to articles on health and fitness.

How Soy Isoflavones Increase Women's Health
Soybeans, containing various phytochemicals, are one of richest source of isoflavones, also known as phytoestrogens. They contain about 36 fat, 30% carbohydrates, isoflavones and other minerals and vitamins.