Benzene is a highly toxic compound. It is a known carcinogen that can corrupt a person's body. Benzene was identified in 1825 as an oily residue created in the production of illuminating gases. By 1833, it was discovered that benzene can be produced when gum benzoin and lime are distilled. From then on, the mass production of benzene for industrial purposes was staged.

Benzene is technically an industrial solvent. It is primarily used for degreasing metals. However, it is also used as an ingredient in after shave lotions and a lot of other personal products. This is because of the compound's very pleasant smell. Not long after, the use of benzene was applied into food. Benzene became a popular compound to decaffeinate coffee.

The uses of benzene evolved and had become pronounced in the manufacturing industry. It had become the main ingredient of consumer products like rubber cements, paint strippers, cement, and spot removers. This compound is even sold in small cans for general applications.

The use of benzene became widely regulated only in 1970 when leukemia deaths were found to be directly caused by this compound. The turning point was the incident in the production of Pliofilm, a Goodyear product manufactured in a plant in Ohio. There were also high school and university students who got exposed to benzene when doing laboratory experiments with the compound.

Benzene had also functioned as an additive to petrol, as it effectively reduces knocking and increases octane rating. Since the discovery of benzene being harmful to the health, petrol-producing companies had tried to lower the content of this poisonous compound in of their products. This is the reason why unleaded gasoline became popular.

However, benzene is still being used right now. It works as an intermediate to create other chemicals. Its derivative, styrene, is used to make plastics, polymers, adhesives, resins, and some fabrics. Small amounts of benzene are also added to dyes, rubber, lubricants, drugs, napalm, pesticides, and explosives.

The issues surrounding benzene is largely about its hazardous effects to the health. Being exposed to benzene used in glues, wax, paints and detergents can cause serious health concerns like leukemia and other types of cancer. When high level of benzene is breathed into the body, death can ultimately result.

Exposure to low levels of benzene can cause dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, confusion, tremors, rapid heart beat, and unconsciousness. Long-term exposure to benzene can damage the bone marrow and lead to blood problems like anemia and leukemia. It also weakens the immune system and targets organs such as the kidneys, lung, liver, and brain.