Applications in Various Industries:
- Chemical Industry: Used as a precursor in the production of styrene, phenol, and other chemicals.
Employed in the synthesis of nylon, plastics, and synthetic rubber. - Industrial Use: Used as a solvent in the production of adhesives, paints, and coatings.
- Pharmaceutical Industry: Used in the synthesis of some drugs and intermediates (though heavily regulated due to toxicity).
Where is Benzene Found?
- Natural Sources: Found in trace amounts in crude oil, gasoline, and volcanic emissions.
- Industrial Production: Produced through the refining of petroleum or as a byproduct of coal processing.
- Consumer Products: Present in trace amounts in gasoline, cigarette smoke, and some industrial products (regulated due to health risks).