Aromatic Hydrocarbons—Benzene and Other Alkylbenzenes

Abstract

Benzene and its alkyl derivatives are monocyclic aromatic compounds (arenes). The compounds are of considerable economic importance as industrial raw materials, solvents, and components of innumerable commercial and consumer products. The aromatics differ vastly in chemical, physical, and biologic characteristics from the aliphatic and alicyclic hydrocarbons. The aromatics are more toxic to humans and other mammals; of prime importance are ( 1 ) the hematopoietic toxicity of benzene resulting in aplastic anemia in humans and other mammalian species, ( 2 ) benzene‐induced leukemia in humans, and ( 3 ) the cerebellar lesions and loss of central nervous system (CNS) integrative functions in “glue sniffers” exposed to high levels of toluene. The simplest single‐ring aromatic hydrocarbon compound is benzene, the nonsubstituted ring system. When one methyl group is attached to the ring, toluene is formed, and with two attached methyl groups, xylene is formed. Xylene occurs in three isomeric forms. The hemimellitines and mesitylenes possess three methyl groups, durene four, and the penta‐ and hexamethylbenzenes, five and six methyl groups, respectively. Other industrially important compounds are ethylbenzene and isopropylbenzene or cumene.

Relationship between benzene concentration, MDA levels and kidney function in car painting workshops in Surabaya: A cross-sectional observational study

“…Exposure to benzene and alkyl benzene has been linked to kidney and liver injury and kidney cancer (Brautbar et al, 2006;Henderson, 2001). Other research conducted in Indonesia also stated that as many as 256 child workers in the Cibaduyut Bandung slipper and shoe industry were listed as being threatened by various types of diseases such as liver and/or kidney damage and even leukemia (ILO, 2004).…”

Applications of purge-and-trap gas chromatography - Mass spectrometry for the determination of volatile organic compounds in water

“…Vacuum membrane distillation makes use of a hydrophobic porous membrane to physically separate the feed (contaminated water) and the permeate side where a low pressure or vacuum is applied, and permeate condensation takes place outside of the system [97,98]. The transport mechanism of VOCs in vacuum membrane distillation includes evaporation of VOCs in the feed, diffusion of the vapor through the membrane pores and the condensation of the vapor stream outside of the module.…”