Addiction Nicotine Use The Inside of Cigarettes How Benzene in Cigarette Smoke Can Hurt You By Terry Martin Terry Martin Facebook Twitter Terry Martin quit smoking after 26 years and is now an advocate for those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 15, 2021 Medically reviewed by Armeen Poor, MD Medically reviewed by Armeen Poor, MD on October 10, 2020 Armeen Poor, MD, is a board-certified pulmonologist and intensivist. He specializes in pulmonary health, critical care, and sleep medicine. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Aminart / Oxford Scientific / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Products That Contain Benzene Benzene in Cigarette Smoke Effects on Human Health Effects of High Levels of Exposure Resources for Quitting As of Dec. 20, 2019, the new legal age limit is 21 years old for purchasing cigarettes, cigars, or any other tobacco products in the U.S. Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid naturally present in coal tar, crude oil, and as a byproduct of volcanic eruptions and forest fires. It's also found in cigarette smoke in small amounts. Benzene has a sweet smell and evaporates quickly when exposed to the air. It is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Group 1 human carcinogen. Products That Contain Benzene Benzene is among the 20 most widely used chemicals in production in the United States today. It's primarily used to make other chemicals and can be found in products like: Carpet glue, spray adhesiveCigarettesDetergentsDyesExplosivesFurniture waxNylonPesticidesPharmaceuticalsPolystyrene Because benzene is a component of crude oil, it is also present in home heating oil and gasoline. Auto exhaust is responsible for the majority of benzene in outdoor air. Diesel exhaust also contains benzene. Effects of Gasoline Regulation The amount of benzene in gasoline has been reduced in recent years following regulations set for Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSAT) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).The amount of benzene emitted through vehicle exhaust and gas cans should be 61,000 tons less by 2030 due to MSAT restrictions. This will be due in part to newer vehicles that don't emit as many spent fuel toxins into the air. The amount of benzene in gasoline will have decreased by 38% overall as well. Benzene in Cigarette Smoke Benzene is a by-product of the combustion of tobacco in cigarettes. Exposure to cigarette smoke accounts for roughly half of all human exposure to this toxin in the United States. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the average smoker takes in about 10 times more benzene (about 1.8mg) than a nonsmoker daily. Benzene is extremely volatile, meaning that it vaporizes into the air quickly. The primary method of exposure is through inhalation. Cigarette smoke is responsible for most of the benzene present in indoor environments. Smokers and nonsmokers alike are exposed to benzene when they breathe in secondhand smoke. Benzene has also been identified in thirdhand smoke. Chemicals Found in Cigarettes and Cigarette Smoke Effects on Human Health According to the ATSDR, a lot of what we know on the long-term effects of benzene is from research on people exposed in the workplace where benzene is used. The 2020 Surgeon General report points to benzene as one possible mechanism for a link made previously between acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and cigarette smoking. While research regarding the effect of benzene specifically from cigarette smoke seems to be lacking, it’s best to reduce your exposure due to its associated health effects and diseases, including its carcinogenic quality. The intensity of benzene poisoning symptoms depends on a few factors including how much, how long, and the way you're exposed to it—whether inhaled, ingested, or through skin contact, for example. Short exposure to benzene can lead to depression of the central nervous system and irregular heart rate. If inhaled, it could result in drowsiness, dizziness, and headaches. Benzene can also be irritating to the skin, eyes, and throat. Long-term (a year or more) exposure to benzene can produce changes in the blood. It decreases red blood cells and damages bone marrow, putting people at risk for aplastic anemia and excessive bleeding. Benzene is also associated with an increased risk of leukemia, specifically acute myeloid leukemia. There is concern that benzene may also contribute to acute and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Benzene exposure can weaken the immune system because it also damages white blood cells, putting people at risk for more infections. Benzene is just one of the hundreds of poisonous and carcinogenic chemical compounds found in air tainted with cigarette smoke. Breathing in secondhand smoke, or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), can have serious health-related consequences for smokers and nonsmokers alike. Effects of High Levels of Exposure Although it's rare to encounter a high dose of benzene all at once (a person would not be exposed to high levels of benzene through cigarette smoke), this level of exposure through inhalation or ingestion damages the central nervous system and can lead to some serious symptoms: ComaConvulsionsDizzinessParalysisRapid breathingRapid heart rateSleepinessTightness in the chestTremors High levels of exposure can even cause unconsciousness or death. If You Think You've Been Exposed If you think you've been exposed to high levels of benzene:If you are in an enclosed space, get outside to fresh air immediately.If the benzene was released outside, move as far away from the area as possible.Remove all of your clothing and quickly wash your body with soap and water as soon as you are able to.If you swallowed benzene, do not try to induce vomiting or drink fluids. Vomit could be sucked into the lungs and damage lung tissue.Call 911 or seek medical care immediately. What Are the Ingredients Found in Cigarettes? Resources for Quitting Setting out to quit smoking can be extremely difficult, but it's so important for your health. Reducing your benzene exposure is just one reason why quitting is beneficial—not just for someone who smokes, but also for those exposed to secondhand smoke. Seeking support and utilizing quit aids can be helpful if you're trying to quit or help someone you know quit smoking. You can ask your healthcare provider if nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), medication, and counseling may be beneficial for your specific situation. According to the Surgeon General's 2020 report on smoking cessation, behavioral interventions combined with pharmacotherapy is optimal treatment for people trying to quit smoking. A Word From Verywell To reduce your exposure to benzene, take steps to quit smoking if you currently do. Until you're successful, be sure to only smoke outside your home to reduce the risk of benzene exposure for those who may live with you. It may be overwhelming to think about quitting smoking, but don't lose hope. You can do it, and the right support can really help. Finally, if someone you know is experiencing benzene poisoning, seek immediate medical attention. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! So you're ready to finally quit smoking? Our free guide can help you get on the right track. Sign up and get yours today. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 14 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Medical management guidelines for benzene. Reviewed March 12, 2015. American Cancer Society. Known and probable human carcinogens. Revised August 14, 2019. Environmental Protection Agency. Gasoline mobile source air toxics. Updated September 18, 2020. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological profile for benzene. Hang B, Wang P, Zhao Y, Chang H, Mao J-H, Snijders AM. Thirdhand smoke: Genotoxicity and carcinogenic potential. Chronic Dis Transl Med. 2019;6(1):27-34. doi:10.1016/j.cdtm.2019.08.002 Department of Health and Human Services. Smoking cessation: A report of the Surgeon General. Published 2020. World Health Organization. Exposure to benzene: A major public health concern. Published May 1, 2019. Environmental Protection Agency. Benzene. Updated January 2012. American Cancer Society. Health risks of secondhand smoke. Revised October 28, 2020. United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Benzene. Food and Drug Administration. Want to quit smoking? FDA-approved products can help. Current as of December 12, 2017. American Cancer Society. Prescription medications to help you quit tobacco. Revised October 10, 2020. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Public health statement for benzene. Reviewed March 12, 2015. MedlinePlus. Benzene poisoning. Reviewed October 3, 2019. Additional Reading American Cancer Society. Benzene and Cancer Risk. Revised January 5, 2016. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Facts About Benzene. Reviewed April 4, 2018. Speak to a Therapist for Addiction Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.