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DescriptionCircumstances of exposureTumour sites (or types)
for which there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans
Benzene is a clear, colourless, volatile, highly flammable liquid.
The major sources of benzene in the atmosphere are man-made.		 The primary sources of exposure to benzene for the general population are:
  • air contaminated with benzene (i.e. in areas with heavy traffic, around gasoline filling stations, or from industrial sources);
  • ambient air containing tobacco smoke;
  • contaminated water or food.
Residential exposure to benzene can also occur from leaking underground gasoline storage tanks.
  • Acute myeloid leukaemia
  • Acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia