Occupational poisoning by benzene: a matter of environmental health

Abstract

Since the late nineteenth century, the prevention of exposure to benzene has been a concern in several countries. Environmental health aims the knowledge, detection or prevention of any change that can affect the environment and endanger the health and well being. This study aimed to perform a historical recovery of the industrial use of benzene in Brazil, the technical-scientific production on the health of workers exposed to it. Also reports the biotransformation, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of benzene and its signs and symptoms, prevention and treatment.