Toxicity of benzene: a synopsis of research in humans and animals

Abstract

A large population of humans is exposed to benzene from various occupational and environmental sources. Benzene is an established human and animal carcinogen. Exposure to benzene has been associated with leukaemia in humans and several types of malignancies in animals. The exact mechanism of benzene-induced toxicity is poorly understood. It is believed that benzene exerts its adverse effects by metabolic activation to toxic metabo- lites. Certain benzene metabolites are genotoxic andmutagenic. This consolidated short-review is composed of human and animal studies to summarize the adverse effects of benzene with special reference to molecular mechanisms involved in benzene-induced toxicity. Human &