Petroleum benzene or petroleum benzine is a mixture of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons whereas Petroleum ether is a mixture of aliphatic hydrocarbons. Therefore, this is the key difference between Petroleum Benzene and Petroleum Ether.

Petroleum ether is the petroleum fraction consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons and boiling in the range 35–60 °C, and commonly used as a laboratory solvent.

Benzene is a component of petroleum products including diesel fuel and gasoline. Benzene is among the twenty most utilized chemicals in the United States.

Benzene Derivatives

People are exposed to benzene primarily by breathing air that contains the chemical. Workers in industries that produce or use benzene may be exposed to the highest levels of the chemical, although federal and state regulations have reduced these exposures in recent decades.

Bleach is classified as a hazardous substance as it’s an irritant to the eyes and skin. Because of this you need to carry out a risk assessment under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). In the case of bleach there are no DSEAR requirements.

Benzene is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor. It evaporates into the air very quickly and dissolves slightly in water. It is highly flammable and is formed from both natural processes and human activities. Benzene is widely used in the United States; it ranks in the top 20 chemicals for production volume.

Benzene can be extinguished by the use of water fog or high-pressure water spray, foam, dry’ chemical, or carbon dioxide, depending on the amount spilled, the surface area of the burning liquid, wind and weather conditions, and resources available.

Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for benzene is 500 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in humans [Gerarde 1960]. [Note: NIOSH recommends as part of its carcinogen policy that the “most protective” respirators be worn for benzene at concentrations above 0.1 ppm.

Benzene liquid is highly flammable. It should be stored in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area. Benzene vapor may form explosive mixtures in air. All sources of ignition must be controlled.

The range between the LEL and UEL is known as the flammable range for that gas or vapor….Lower and Upper Explosive Limits.

To compute the LEL of any gas in air, divide the unknown concentration by the LEL listed in the NFPA Handbook. For example, if you take 2.5% Methane in air and divide it by 100% LEL of methane (5%), the result is 50% LEL. (2.5% ÷ 5% = 50%) The same theory can be applied to any of the gasses listed here.

Atmospheres with a concentration of flammable vapors at or above 10 percent of the lower explosive limit (LEL) are considered hazardous when located in confined spaces. However, atmospheres with flammable vapors below 10 percent of the LEL are not necessarily safe. Such atmospheres are too lean to burn.