The fossil fuel industry's suppression of public knowledge surrounding the toxic effects of benzene

Abstract

Abstract Individuals working in industries that produce or use benzene, a chemical compound known to produce chronic health effects including leukemia and death, are occupationally exposed to the highest levels of benzene. It is much less known how corporations, and in particular Shell Oil Company, suppressed public health information and formed relationships to promote false data to influence legislation and standards regarding benzene. We conducted archival research in the UCSF Chemical Industry Documents Library by reviewing the Benzene collection which contains 4,025 Shell Oil Company internal documents (1920s-1990s). We conducted standard snowball keyword search methods and thematically coded for major events, individuals, and relationships regarding the suppression of benzene. In 1949, Shell executives privately admitted that there was no safe level of exposure to benzene. During the 1950s, Shell unsuccessfully attempted to find cheaper alternatives to replace benzene used in petroleum. As scientific evidence emerged regarding the health harms of benzene in the 1960s and 1970s, government regulatory agencies increasingly proposed regulations to minimize benzene exposure. In response, Shell executives funded research to downplay benzene exposure to workers. Shell also used these studies to suppress and misdirect emerging evidence. Meanwhile Shell developed internal employee handbooks and monitoring programs to minimize any threats of company liability instead of dropping the usage of benzene. Internal Shell documents reveal the company suppressed public knowledge surrounding the toxic Effects of benzene since the 1940s. Governments should ban the use of benzene to protect the health and safety of workers.