Benzofuran is a colorless, oily liquid with a sweet smell made by processing coal into coal oil. It can also be formed during other uses of coal or oil. The chemical itself is not used for any commercial purposes, but the part of the coal oil that contains it is made into a plastic called coumarone-indene resin which resists corrosion and is used to make paints and varnishes. Since the resin is also water resistant, it is used in coatings on paper products and fabrics. It is also used as an adhesive in food containers and some asphalt floor tiles. Although the resin has been approved for use in food packages and as a coating on citrus fruits, it is not known whether any benzofuran in the coating or packaging get into the food. 

How You Are Exposed?

Benzofuran may enter the air and groundwater near manufacturing or hazardous waste sites. Living or working in such contaminated areas may expose you to contaminated air and drinking water. Touching the chemical would also be a possibility. It is also possible that exposure can result from eating foods contained in packaging material that contains coumarone-indene resin but little is known about how much actually gets into the food. Smoking cigarettes also exposes you to the chemical.

How Can Benzofuran Affect Your Health?

Although no formal studies have looked into the potential effects of benzofuran on humans, some animal studies have shown that ingesting high levels of the chemical over a short time can result in liver and kidney damage. Those exposed over a long period of time to moderate levels also had liver, kidney, lung and stomach damage.