Benzene is a clear, colorless, highly flammable and volatile, liquid aromatic hydrocarbon with a gasoline-like odor. Benzene is found in crude oils and as a by-product of oil-refining processes. In industry benzene is used as a solvent, as a chemical intermediate, and is used in the synthesis of numerous chemicals. Exposure to this substance causes neurological symptoms and affects the bone marrow causing aplastic anemia, excessive bleeding and damage to the immune system. Benzene is a known human carcinogen and is linked to an increased risk of developing lymphatic and hematopoietic cancers, acute myelogenous leukemia, as well as chronic lymphocytic leukemia. (NCI05)

1. One of the most important basic organic chemical raw materials. Through substitution, addition and ring‑opening reactions, benzene can be converted into many important chemical intermediates. It is an essential raw material for the production of synthetic resins, plastics, synthetic fibers, rubber, detergents, dyes, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, explosives, etc. Benzene is also widely used as a solvent and as a blending agent in the petroleum refining industry to increase the octane rating of gasoline.

2. Used as a solvent and raw material for synthetic dyes, plastics, rubber, fibers and pesticides.It is an important raw material for manufacturing synthetic resins, synthetic rubber, synthetic fibers, dyes, detergents, pharmaceuticals, pesticides and special additives, and is also a major solvent.

3. Used as a spectrophotometric pure solvent and as a standard sample for refractive index determination; also used as a solvent and cleaning agent in precision optical instruments, the electronics industry, etc.

4. Basic chemical raw material, used as a solvent and for the synthesis of benzene derivatives, fragrances, dyes, plastics, pharmaceuticals, explosives, rubber, etc.