What Are the Regulatory Guidelines for Benzene Exposure?
Due to its toxicity and potential to cause genetic mutations, benzene exposure is strictly regulated. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States has set a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for benzene in the workplace at 1 part per million (ppm) over an 8-hour workday. Similarly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates benzene levels in drinking water, setting a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 5 parts per billion (ppb).
