The toxicity of benzene and its metabolism and molecular pathology in human risk assessment.

Abstract

Benzene, a common industrial chemical and a component of gasoline, is radiomimetic and exposure may lead progressively to aplastic anaemia, leukaemia, and multiple myeloma.

Rapid Determination of Benzene Metabolites Phenol and p-Cresol in the Urine of Petrol Station Workers by Gas Chromatography

“…Aside from liver damage, frequent exposure to benzene can cause leukaemia in humans and has a carcinogenic effect on many organs in animals. 2,3 Great attention has been paid to phenol analysis in environmental samples because of its widespread use in industry and high toxicological impact. 4 In the literature, it is maintained that phenol and p-cresol are produced in the human gut by bacteria from dietary protein.…”

Assessment of ambient volatile hydrocarbons from tobacco smoke and from vehicle emissions

“…Increasing emphasis is given to health hazards from the well-known volatile hydrocarbons ethene [1], 1,3-butadiene [2], and benzene [3]. Other volatile alkenes, alkadienes and arenes are likely to constitute significant but less well-known hazards.…”

Potential Health Effects of Gasoline and Its Constituents: A Review of Current Literature (1990-1997) on Toxicological Data

“…Furthermore, inhalation of benzene may stimulate microsomal mixed-function oxidase, cytochrome P450, responsible for the oxidation of benzene and for the generation of oxygen radicals (182). Formation of oxygen radicals could be a major cause of benzene toxicity, with involvement of multiple mechanisms including synergism between arylating and glutathione-depleting reactive metabolites and oxygen radicals (183). Because benzene and its hydroxylated metabolites are substrates for the same cytochrome P450 enzymes, competitive interactions among metabolites are possible (184).…”