Benzene

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In 2017 to 2018, the 95th percentile for blood concentration of benzene among persons aged 20 years and older was 0.3 ng/mL.

Summary graph for Benzene, Click to see detailed view of graph

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Background

Benzene is an organic chemical that is colorless and has a sweet odor. It is highly flammable, and evaporates quickly when exposed to air. Benzene is formed through natural processes such as volcanoes and forest fires, and is present in crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke. Most exposure to benzene results from human activities. Benzene use in materials and to adjust fuel octane levels has been minimized, resulting in reduced benzene exposure among non-smokers. Cigarette smoking has been shown to be the primary exposure source of benzene blood levels in the U.S., with some benzene exposure in non-smokers attributable to secondhand smoke exposure. The chemical is also widely used as a component of plastics, rubber, resins, and synthetic fabrics; an additive in motor fuels; a solvent in printing, paints, and dry cleaning; and for other purposes. Benzene is also used in the manufacture of detergents, explosives, pharmaceuticals, and dyestuffs.

Benzene has been identified as a cause of acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults. This article, Carcinogenicity of Benzene, published in The Lancet Oncology, provides evidence that benzene might be related to other myeloid and certain lymphoid malignancies.

The main way people are exposed is by breathing in air containing benzene—in emissions from burning coal and oil, motor vehicle exhaust, evaporation from gasoline tanks and service stations, and in industrial solvents. It is estimated that about half of the exposure to benzene in the United States results from smoking tobacco or from exposure to tobacco smoke. It can also be absorbed through the skin during contact with a source such as gasoline, but because liquid benzene evaporates quickly, this is less common.

Measure

We present exposure data on the 95th percentile of the population, representing people with the greatest exposure. The 95th percentile level means that 95% of the population has concentrations below that level. Public health officials use such reference values to determine whether groups of people are experiencing an exposure that is unusual compared with an exposure experienced by the rest of the population. For more information, see the National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To calculate whether the differences between 95th percentiles for two different time points are statistically significant, we used a different statistical methodology than that used by the National Center for Environmental Health, who publishes the National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals from where our data are derived. Our estimates may differ slightly from those in the original report due to differences in statistical procedures used. [Methodology]

Healthy People 2030 Target

There are no Healthy People 2030 targets regarding benzene.

Healthy People 2030 is a set of goals set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Data Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Trends and Most Recent EstimatesHelp with navigating the graphs and data tables

By Sex

95th percentile for blood concentrations (ng/mL) of benzene among adults aged 20 years and older by sex, 2001-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Nanogram/milliliter (ng/mL) 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for 95th percentile for blood concentrations (ng/mL) of benzene among adults aged 20 years and older by sex, 2001-2018 Both SexesClick to see the detailed trend graph for Both Sexes 0.3 0.2 - 0.4
MaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Male 0.3 0.2 - 0.4
FemaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Female 0.3 0.2 - 0.4

By Race/Ethnicity

95th percentile for blood concentrations (ng/mL) of benzene among adults aged 20 years and older by race/ethnicity, 2001-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Nanogram/milliliter (ng/mL) 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for 95th percentile for blood concentrations (ng/mL) of benzene among adults aged 20 years and older by race/ethnicity, 2001-2018 All Races/EthnicitiesClick to see the detailed trend graph for All Races 0.3 0.2 - 0.4
Non-Hispanic WhiteClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic White 0.3 0.2 - 0.4
Non-Hispanic BlackClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic Black 0.4 0.3 - 0.4
HispanicClick to see the detailed trend graph for Hispanic 0.1 0.1 - 0.2

By Poverty Income Level

95th percentile for blood concentrations (ng/mL) of benzene among adults aged 20 years and older by poverty income level, 2001-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Nanogram/milliliter (ng/mL) 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for 95th percentile for blood concentrations (ng/mL) of benzene among adults aged 20 years and older by poverty income level, 2001-2018 < 200% of the federal poverty levelClick to see the detailed trend graph for < 200% of the federal poverty level 0.4 0.3 - 0.5
>= 200% of the federal poverty levelClick to see the detailed trend graph for >= 200% of the federal poverty level 0.2 0.1 - 0.2

By Education Level

95th percentile for blood concentrations (ng/mL) of benzene among adults aged 20 years and older by highest level of education obtained, 2001-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Nanogram/milliliter (ng/mL) 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for 95th percentile for blood concentrations (ng/mL) of benzene among adults aged 20 years and older by highest level of education obtained, 2001-2018 Less than High SchoolClick to see the detailed trend graph for Less than High School 0.4 0.3 - 0.5
High SchoolClick to see the detailed trend graph for High School 0.4 0.3 - 0.4
Greater than High SchoolClick to see the detailed trend graph for Greater than High School 0.2 0.2 - 0.3

By Smoking Status

95th percentile for blood concentrations (ng/mL) of benzene among adults aged 20 years and older by smoking status, 2001-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Nanogram/milliliter (ng/mL) 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for 95th percentile for blood concentrations (ng/mL) of benzene among adults aged 20 years and older by smoking status, 2001-2018 Non-SmokerClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Smoker 0.1 0.1 - 0.1
SmokerClick to see the detailed trend graph for Smoker 0.6 0.5 - 0.7

Additional Information on Benzene

Year Range

2001-2018

Recent Summary Trend Year Range

2013-2018

Summary Tables

Chemical Exposures

Recent Summary Trend

Non-Significant Change

Desired Direction

Falling