Charnwood Borough Council

Benzene (C6H6) is a volatile aromatic hydrocarbon composed of a ring of carbon atoms with single hydrogen atoms attached to each.

In the UK the main source of benzene is the combustion and evaporation of petroleum products of which it is a constituent. The road transport sector is a major source, contributing 11% of the 2003 emission estimate total, where benzene is released either as an unburnt constituent of the fuel or as the product of the combustion of other hydrocarbons. Other significant sources include stationary combustion sources, production process, and evaporation due to spillage or other loss.

A steady decrease in benzene emissions has been seen since 1990 with the introduction in 1991 of cars equipped with catalytic converters.

Due to the nature of its source and its propensity to rapidly disperse in air, benzene is seen only of concern to human health in the immediate vicinity of its production, transfer and combustion.

Benzene is a carcinogen and long-term exposure to this pollutant can cause leukaemia. There is therefore no level of exposure at which there is zero risk.

Benzene UK Emission Graph

Data and Graph provided by UK National Atmospheric Emission Inventory