The China Benzene Sperm Study (C-BASS) examines whether occupational benzene exposure may be related to genetic damage to sperm.
Benzene is a common environmental pollutant present in crude oil, smoke, gasoline, paints, adhesives and solvents. It is listed among the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Group 1 human carcinogens, found to induce leukemia & lymphoma and is associated with increased chromosomal anomalies in cells.
The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is 1 part of benzene per million parts (ppm) averaged over 8 hours. The China Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) permits almost twice this level, at 1.9 ppm.
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