How to Cleanse After Exposure to Benzene

Benzene is a common chemical that is used in the production of plastic, paints, glues, rubbers, detergents, dyes, pesticides, drugs and other materials. Benzene has a sweet odor, is flammable and evaporates quickly into the air. Long-term exposure to benzene will cause a decrease in your red blood cells, impact the ability of your immune system and have detrimental effects on your bone marrow. Benzene poisoning can occur through ingestion, inhalation and absorption.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Cloth
• Warm water
• Soap
• Rubber gloves
• Plastic bags

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Instructions

• 1

  Move to an area with fresh air. If you have been exposed to benzene in the air indoors, move outside and away from the building.

• 2

  Remove all clothing as quickly as possible. Do not pull clothing over your head. Instead, cut it off to reduce the chance of exposing your face to the benzene.

• 3

  Wash your skin thoroughly with a cloth saturated in warm, soapy water. Wash from head to toe. Rinse yourself thoroughly with lukewarm water and towel dry.

• 4

  Flush your eyes with cool water for 15 minutes if they begin to burn or you experience blurry vision. Remove eyeglasses or contacts before flushing your eyes. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes. Dispose of contact lenses--even if they are not disposable--after removing them. Wipe your eyeglasses with a clean soapy cloth before putting them back on.

• 5

  Equip yourself with a pair of rubber gloves. Place your contaminated clothing as well as any items that have come in contact with the clothing, including the scissors used to cut clothing off of your body, inside a plastic bag. Seal the bag and place it inside another plastic bag. Seal the second bag and place it in an out-of-the-way area. When your local or state health department arrives on the scene, tell them where you placed the bag so they can dispose of it properly.

• 6

  Contact 911 if you have ingested benzene. Do not cause yourself to vomit or drink any type of fluids. Explain to the 911 operator what transpired.