Article Summary
Can benzene be absorbed through the skin? Yes. Benzene passes through the skin and into the body, and the Coast Guard’s own medical guidance on benzene says so. Breathing vapor is still the main way benzene gets in. But for maritime workers who handle fuel, crude oil, and chemical cargo by hand, skin contact adds to the total dose.
Most crews know to worry about fumes. Few hear that a soaked glove or a wet sleeve counts too. This post explains how skin exposure happens on the water, why it often goes unrecorded, and what the law requires of your employer.
For the cancers tied to this chemical, read our guide to the link between benzene and maritime cancers.
How Can Benzene Be Absorbed Through the Skin on a Vessel?
Benzene occurs naturally in crude oil and is found in gasoline. It also moves in bulk as chemical cargo on tank barges and tank ships. When liquid product sits on your skin, some of it soaks in.
The Coast Guard guidance points to two things that speed this up. Skin that is cut, cracked, or scraped takes in benzene faster. So does benzene mixed into a solvent that skin absorbs easily.
On a vessel, skin contact tends to happen during routine work:
- Connecting and breaking cargo hoses, when product drips or sprays
- Gauging and sampling tanks by hand
- Cleaning tanks, strainers, and pump rooms
- Wiping up spills with rags
- Working for hours in gloves or coveralls that are wet with product
- Washing hands or tools with gasoline or solvent
Wet clothing deserves extra attention. A soaked sleeve holds liquid against your skin for as long as you wear it. That is why OSHA’s benzene safety sheet tells workers to remove contaminated clothing and wash right away.
Tankermen face this risk on most transfers. Our post on Louisiana tankerman injury claims covers their rights in more detail.
Why Skin Exposure to Benzene Gets Missed
Three things keep skin exposure off the record.
Air Monitors Do Not Measure It
Benzene safety programs rely on air readings. The exposure limits count parts of benzene per million parts of air. A badge on your collar cannot show how much liquid soaked through your gloves. A clean air reading does not rule out skin exposure.
It Does Not Hurt Like a Burn
Direct contact may cause redness. Repeated contact can leave skin dry and scaly. Those signs are easy to shrug off, unlike the pain of an offshore chemical burn.
The Serious Harm is Silent at First
OSHA warns that many blood disorders tied to benzene can develop without symptoms. Years may pass before a diagnosis.
One published study shows why this matters. Researchers calculated the dose for workers who cleaned with solvents that held small amounts of benzene. They found that skin could take in a significant amount over a long period. That held true even when benzene made up less than 0.1% of the product.
If you handled petroleum cargo or solvents for years and now have a blood disorder, your work history matters. The Maritime Injury Law Firm can review it with you in a free consultation about your rights as a Jones Act seaman.
How the Jones Act Applies to Benzene Skin Exposure
The Jones Act, 46 U.S.C. § 30104, lets a seaman sue an employer whose negligence played any part in an injury or illness. Failing to protect a crew from a known hazard can count as employer negligence under the Jones Act.
Benzene’s skin risk is a known hazard. Federal rules address it directly:
Coast Guard Rules
On inspected vessels that carry benzene cargo, 46 CFR § 197.555 requires coveralls or a large apron, boots, and gloves to limit skin exposure to liquid benzene. The employer must supply this gear at no charge and make sure the crew uses it properly.
OSHA Rules
OSHA’s benzene standard, 29 CFR § 1910.1028, says skin contact with liquid benzene must be limited. It applies to many land-based workplaces.
So a skin exposure case raises its own questions. Did the company issue chemical-resistant gloves or cotton ones? Did it replace soaked gear? Was there soap and water near the work? Did anyone tell the crew that benzene passes through skin?
A vessel owner may also be liable if the vessel was unseaworthy. Missing or poor safety gear can make it so. Workers who are not seamen, such as many shipyard and dock workers, may have rights under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act instead.
Time limits apply to all of these claims. See how long you have to bring a maritime lawsuit.
What to Do If Benzene Gets on Your Skin at Work
- Take off wet clothing. Remove anything soaked with the product right away.
- Wash with soap and water. The CDC advises washing benzene from skin with lots of soap and water. Never clean your hands with gasoline or solvent.
- Report it in writing. Name the product, the task, and the gear you had. Our guide to filing an accident report offshore explains how.
- Keep your own records. Note vessels, dates, cargoes, and job duties. Photos of worn-out gear help.
- See a doctor you choose. Tell the doctor about skin contact, not only fumes. Here is why the company doctor may not be your best option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if benzene touches the skin?
Benzene can irritate the skin and cause redness. Repeated or long contact can dry the skin and lead to scaly rashes or infections. Some of the benzene also passes through the skin into the body. Remove wet clothing and wash the area with soap and water right away.
Does diesel contain benzene?
Yes, but far less than gasoline. One study measured benzene in diesel fuel at about 0.003% by weight. Federal rules cap benzene in gasoline at an average of 0.62% by volume. Crude oil, gasoline, and benzene cargo carry the greater risk. Diesel can still irritate skin, so wash it off promptly.
Can benzene be absorbed through the skin even with gloves on?
It can if the gloves are the wrong kind or are soaked. Gloves protect you only when they resist the chemical and stay in good condition. Cloth or leather gloves that soak up product hold it against your skin. Your employer should supply the right gear and replace it when it fails.
Talk to a Maritime Lawyer About Benzene Skin Exposure
So, can benzene be absorbed through the skin? It can. For crews who handle product every day, that contact adds up alongside the air they breathe. The rules that require gloves, coveralls, and washing exist for that reason. When an employer skips them, the worker carries the risk.
George Vourvoulias has more than 20 years of maritime law experience representing workers and their families across the Gulf Coast. If you have a blood disorder after years of handling fuel or chemical cargo, you do not have to sort out the cause alone. Contact The Maritime Injury Law Firm for a free, confidential consultation. We will look at your work history and explain your options under the Jones Act.