Benzene
Benzene is a colourless liquid occurring naturally in fossil raw materials such as crude oil and hard coal. It is a basic chemical in the manufacturing of a wide range of everyday items.
Benzene has been attacked in the press as a hazardous product. It has indeed been classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). However it is important to note, that benzene itself is not a consumer product.
Benzene is used within the chemical industry to produce other chemicals, which are used to make consumer goods. All handling and application of benzene must meet strict international standards to protect the consumer from any risk. Generally the industry applies even more stringent standards than required by regulatory authorities.
