How does benzene enter the environment

What effect does this have on it? The general levels of benzene, brought about car exhausts, paints, dyes and the suchlike, pose negligible risks to the environment. Because of its propensity to react with other elements in the air, it is most often quickly diffused within a few days of exposure and therefore it is virtually harmless.

Of course, a mass leakage would cause volatile levels of the gas, but such an occurrence is rare. Similarly, normal concentrations of benzene do not affect aquatic flora and fauna to a great degree.

It does have a low toxicity level which can affect underwater organisms, and it does remain present for longer in soil and groundwater sometimes weeks than it does in the air.

However, again, barring a significant spill or accidental release of the substance into a body of water, the harmful effects on the environment are not worrisome. Industrial plants or other facilities which either manufacture or utilise benzene in their daily activities can have dangerous levels of the substance present in their atmosphere, which could prove hazardous not only to the employees working there but also to the wider environs. Contamination of local water supplies, soil and the air and the knock-on effect this pollution would have on the flora and fauna in the area could be higher than previously imagined.

Recently, a triumvirate of concern bodies pushed for more transparency in the benzene industry. It has surfaced that due to growing litigation against benzene companies, research was undertaken to both determine the true effects of the substance on the environment and simultaneously to downplay the seriousness of these effects. This article, Benzene - it's Time for Continuous, Real-time and Specific Monitoring , looks in detail at the revelations which this documentation uncovered. It also discusses the specifics of these harmful effects, as well as suggesting solutions to curbing future damage done by the gas.

For additional information, read: What are the effects of benzene on human health? The use of transmitters with catalytic LEL sensors to ensure plant safety is self-evident for stationary gas detection systems. However, the situation Portable gas detectors have been standard safety equipment in the oil and gas industry for a long time. When it comes to choosing the right device, usu E2S Warning Signals design and manufacture alarm horn sounders, Xenon strobe and LED warning beacons and combined signalling units; wide area sound News section.

Improved Resolution of Benzene, Other Aromatics and Small amounts can also be found in foods such as canned beef and even in our drinking water if it has been contaminated.

Benzene is also used as a solvent for grease and oil. Benzene is used in the manufacture of numerous chemicals needed to make plastics such as polystyrene for packaging, synthetic fibres, such as rayon and nylon used for making clothes, and the detergents we use to clean our homes. Medicines and pesticides can also be sources of benzene. Therefore, when we empty water from our sink after washing the dishes, or use chemicals to kill insects and weeds in the garden we could be releasing benzene into the environment.

In the atmosphere, benzene can react with other chemicals to create smog. This could break down naturally but it might also attach to rain and snow and be carried to the ground to contaminate water and soil.

When aquatic life, like fish, shellfish and other creatures in our rivers, lakes and oceans, is exposed to benzene, it makes them sick and can stop them from having babies.

It can alter their behaviour, change their appearance and shorten their lives. There are all sorts of things that we can do at home, school, and in our local community to help minimise the harmful effects of pollution on our environment. Why not investigate ways you can take action every day to reduce pollution that impacts people, animals and the environment?

More about reducing pollution. For more information about benzene see Australia's benzene emission report on the main NPI web site. You will also find detailed information about the remaining 92 substances that the NPI tracks around Australia in the fact sheets on the main NPI web site. Skip to main content. Download Benzene PDF - What does the National Pollutant Inventory do? Benzene causes anemia, excessive bleeding and damage to the immune system. Women who breathe high levels of benzene may have irregular menstrual periods and a decrease in the size of the ovaries.

There is no information on the effects of fertility in men. Studies have shown that long-term exposure to benzene in air causes leukemia. Request an amendment to a birth certificate? Check restaurant inspections? Apply for WIC? Get Help to Quit Smoking? Check out home health service providers? Report a foodborne illness? File a complaint about a health care facility? What is benzene? How might I be exposed to benzene?