: a colorless volatile flammable toxic liquid aromatic hydrocarbon C6H6 used in organic synthesis, as a solvent, and as a motor fuel
Examples of benzene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2022, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced a voluntary recall on a number of dry shampoo products from Unilever due to possible benzene contamination.
—
Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Both the International Agency for Cancer Research and the EPA have determined that benzene is carcinogenic to humans.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024
In 2022, the lab found benzene in dry shampoo products and urged the FDA to request recalls, and in 2021, Valisure detected benzene in sunscreen.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024
Water sampling has shown an increasing amount of cancer-causing benzene in this liquid waste, which experts say is generally an indication of rising temperatures.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024
Eleven years later, researchers employed by the Forest Service published a paper that found that smoke from prescribed burns contained elevated levels of carbon monoxide and particulate matter, including benzene and formaldehyde, both of which are carcinogenic.
—ProPublica, 16 Mar. 2024
Plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, and according to a 1989 NASA study, certain houseplants can reduce toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024
However, the new permit does not change the amount of benzene that Suncor is allowed to dump into the creek.
—Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2024
The highest concentration of benzene was 1.8 parts per billion.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2024
Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Both the International Agency for Cancer Research and the EPA have determined that benzene is carcinogenic to humans.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024
In 2022, the lab found benzene in dry shampoo products and urged the FDA to request recalls, and in 2021, Valisure detected benzene in sunscreen.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024
Water sampling has shown an increasing amount of cancer-causing benzene in this liquid waste, which experts say is generally an indication of rising temperatures.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024
Eleven years later, researchers employed by the Forest Service published a paper that found that smoke from prescribed burns contained elevated levels of carbon monoxide and particulate matter, including benzene and formaldehyde, both of which are carcinogenic.
—ProPublica, 16 Mar. 2024
Plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, and according to a 1989 NASA study, certain houseplants can reduce toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024
However, the new permit does not change the amount of benzene that Suncor is allowed to dump into the creek.
—Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2024
The highest concentration of benzene was 1.8 parts per billion.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'benzene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Benzene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benzene. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
benzene
noun
ben·zene
ˈben-ˌzēn 
ben-ˈzēn
: a colorless flammable liquid that evaporates easily and is used to make or dissolve other chemicals or as a motor fuel
Medical Definition
: a colorless volatile flammable toxic liquid aromatic hydrocarbon C6H6 used in organic synthesis, as a solvent, and as a motor fuel
called also benzol
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