Ethylbenzene

C8H10, Colorless, flammable liquid with an aromatic odor, it is found in coal tar, petroleum, as well as in manufactured products like inks, insecticides, and paints. Ethylbenzene is also used to make styrene. It is during the manufacturing process that ethylbenzene becomes an airborne hazard. It takes about 3 days for ethylbenzene to breakdown into other chemicals. Exposure to ethylbenzene causes dizziness, throat and eye irritation, tightening of the chest, and a burning sensation in the eyes. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set an occupational exposure limit of 100 ppm of ethylbenzene for an 8-hour workday for a 40-hour workweek. [Journal of Chromatography; v1066; i1-2; p 27-32; 2005] [Journal of Chromatography; v1069; i2; p 235-244; 2005]