Benzene

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-003024",
  "term": "Benzene",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. Please see the ATSDR fact sheet for benzene.\n\n2. A colorless, volatile, flammable, toxic liquid aromatic hydrocarbon (C₆H₆) used in organic synthesis, as a solvent, and as a component of motor fuel.\n\n3. CAS 71-43-2: RCRA U019 Benzene is widely used in the United States; it ranks in the top 20 chemicals for production volume. Some industries use benzene to make other chemicals which are used to make plastics, resins, and nylon and synthetic fibers. Benzene is also used to make some types of rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. Natural sources of benzene include volcanoes and forest fires. Benzene is also a natural part of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke.\n\n4. An aromatic hydrocarbon present in small proportion in some crude oils and made commercially from petroleum by the catalytic reforming of naphthenes in petroleum naphtha. Also made from coal in the manufacture of coke. Used as a solvent in the manufacture of detergents, synthetic fibers, petrochemicals, and as a component of high-octane gasoline.\n\n5. A 6-sided structure with three alternating double bonds. A known carcinogen that is an aromatic component of gasoline.\n\n6. A colorless, volatile, flammable, toxic liquid aromatic hydrocarbon (C₆H₆) used in organic synthesis, as a solvent, and as a component of motor fuel. Benzene is a known human carcinogen and an important hazardous air pollutant.",
  "abbreviation": "C6H5",
  "synonyms": [
    "C6H6",
    "C₆H₆"
  ],
  "subject": "Chemical substances",
  "references": [
    "RCRA Glossary of Terms",
    "Childrens Health Protection Glossary",
    "CDC Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Toxic Substances Portal",
    "DOE Energy Information Administration Glossary",
    "DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Bioenergy Glossary",
    "ACE Glossary of Terms; America's Children and the Environment Terms"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/benzene/"
}