Why is benzidine harmful?
Chronic (long-term) exposure to benzidine in humans may result in injury to the bladder. Epidemiological studies have shown occupational exposure to benzidine to result in an increased risk of bladder cancer.
What is a benzidine used for?
Benzidine and its related chemical substances are used to manufacture dyes. Benzidine-based dyes are used in the production of textiles, paints, printing inks, paper, and pharmaceuticals.
What causes benzidine?
Inhalation and accidental ingestion are the main ways people can be exposed to benzidine-based dyes in the United States. As benzidine-based dyes were removed from both industrial and consumer markets and replaced with other types of dyes, the potential for exposure has declined.
What is benzidine reaction?
benzidine, an organic chemical belonging to the class of amines and used in making numerous dyestuffs. The chemical reactions of benzidine are typical of aromatic primary amines; with nitrous acid it yields the bisdiazonium salt, which may be coupled with aromatic amino or hydroxyl compounds to produce azo dyes.
Why is benzidine a carcinogen?
Studies on Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis Benzidine is metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes (via N-oxidation) to form electrophilic compounds that can bind cova- lently to DNA (Choudhary 1996). Benzidine caused mutations in bacteria and plants, but gave conflicting results in cultured rodent cells.
Is benzidine specific for blood?
Several presumptive tests have been described for blood stains recognition [1], [2], [3], and one of the most used is Benzidine and its derivative Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) [4]. Both reagents have similar sensitivity, specificity, and stability [5].
What does benzidine look like?
Benzidine appears as a grayish-yellow to grayish-red, crystalline solid.
What color is benzidine?
Does benzidine dissolve in water?
Benzidine is a biphenyl amine that exists at room temperature as a crystalline grayish-yellow, white, or reddish-gray power. It is slightly soluble in cold water, more soluble in hot water, and readily soluble in less-polar solvents such as diethyl ether and ethanol. It darkens on exposure to air and light.
How can benzidine be prevented?
Personnel protection: Avoid breathing dusts and fumes from burning material. Keep upwind. Avoid bodily contact with the material. Do not handle broken packages without protective equipment. Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water. …
Is Coke a benzene?
Benzene can form in soft drinks containing vitamin C and either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate. Scientists say factors such as heat or light exposure can trigger a reaction that forms benzene in the beverages.
What kind of effects does benzidine have on the body?
Benzidine is a grayish-red, yellowish or white colored, very toxic, crystalline aromatic amine that darkens when exposed to air and light. Benzidine has been widely used for the detection of blood and as a reagent in the manufacture of dyes. Ingestion of benzidine causes cyanosis, headache, mental confusion, nausea and vomiting.
How are people exposed to benzidine in the USA?
Inhalation and accidental ingestion are the main ways people can be exposed to benzidine-based dyes in the United States. As benzidine-based dyes were removed from both industrial and consumer markets and replaced with other types of dyes, the potential for exposure has declined. Which cancers are associated with exposure to benzidine?
How is benzidine used as a reagent?
More… Benzidine is a grayish-red, yellowish or white colored, very toxic, crystalline aromatic amine that darkens when exposed to air and light. Benzidine has been widely used for the detection of blood and as a reagent in the manufacture of dyes.
When was benzidine no longer used in medicine?
However, benzidine has not been sold in the United States since the mid-1970s, and it is no longer used in medical laboratories or in the rubber and plastics industries. How are people exposed to benzidine?