Background research
bENZENE
Benzene is a well known carcinogen made up of hydrogen and carbon. Exposure to it can cause blood disorders like anemia and cancers like leukemia. It can be found in many industrial items, but you can also find it in household items such as laundry detergent. Benzene can be known as an aromatic, meaning it lets off a nice scent. In its liquid form, benzene is a colorless and flammable.
benzene in the community
Did you know that as of 2013, there are around 3750 active oil wells in the Los Angeles area? The runoff from these fracking sites can contain many hazardous chemicals, including benzene. Some of these wells may be as close to you as the Inglewood Oil Site, located in Culver City. For our broad topic research, we decided to focus on learning about this specific oil site because there are many people in the school community who live near there. Currently, the Inglewood Oil Site is permanently closed, but exposure to chemicals still continues. Benzene can be transmitted via air and water, and we want to stop that. So, we decided to create activated carbon water filters, which you can learn more about on the Water Filters page. There are many different ways to reduce your exposure to benzene, some of which may be as easy as switching laundry detergents.
reducing exposure to benzene
Eliminating your exposure to benzene completely is very difficult to do because it can be transmitted in the air via car exhaust, charcoal, etc. Here are a few simple ways that you can reduce your exposure to benzene:
1.Stop Smoking
2.Re-frame from inhaling second hand smoke
3.Stay away from any activities involving petroleum
4.Look at the ingredients when buying laundry detergent
5.Don't use paints or adhesives containing benzene
6.Be aware when buying certain types of lubricants, dyes, rubbers, drugs, and pesticides.
7.Buy or create your own Activated Carbon Water Filter (learn more on the Water Filters page)
1.Stop Smoking
2.Re-frame from inhaling second hand smoke
3.Stay away from any activities involving petroleum
4.Look at the ingredients when buying laundry detergent
5.Don't use paints or adhesives containing benzene
6.Be aware when buying certain types of lubricants, dyes, rubbers, drugs, and pesticides.
7.Buy or create your own Activated Carbon Water Filter (learn more on the Water Filters page)