State of the Environment

2006

Indicator: A-30 Concentration of benzene in regional areas

Data

Emissions of benzene to air for regional sites, 2003-04

Emissions of benzene to air for regional sites, 2003-04

Source: National Pollutant Inventory, 2003-04 data - National Pollutant Inventory  

What the data mean

The data show the main sources of benzene emissions for some regional sites for 2003-04. Emissions from motor vehicles and domestic solid fuel burning (e.g. wood heaters) account for the highest proportion of emissions across all sites. The high reading of 900,000 kg is for oil and gas extraction in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Data Limitations

Data is not available for concentrations of benzene. Emissions data from the National Pollutant Inventory is used as a proxy.

The National Pollutant Inventory comprises estimated emissions. The techniques used to estimate emissions have been variously approved by Australian, state and territory environment agencies but the accuracy of these estimates is likely to vary according to the technique used.

For the diffuse data in particular (e.g. motor vehicles), comparative analysis of the data may be misleading, because jurisdictions may have used different approved estimation techniques. Diffuse data are the most up to date available but the diffuse data is not necessarily for the particular facility reporting year being examined. For example, diffuse data may be from a study completed in 1998-99 and the facility data from 2001-02.

Issues for which this is an indicator and why

Atmosphere — Air quality - Regional air quality 

The major sources of benzene are motor vehicles, the burning of domestic solid fuels, lawn mowers, some industrial processes and cigarette smoking.

The health effects of exposure to benzene will depends on how much benzene you have been exposed to, for how long, and your current state of health. In certain circumstances, even a brief exposure to very high levels of benzene can result in death. Exposure can result in symptoms such as skin and eye irritations, drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, and vomiting. Benzene is carcinogenic and long-term exposure at various levels can affect normal blood production and can be harmful to the immune system. It can cause leukaemia (cancer of the tissues that form white blood cells) and has also been linked with birth defects in animals and humans.

Benzene has a high acute toxic effect on aquatic life. Long- term effects on marine life can mean shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility and changes in appearance or behaviour. It can cause death in plants and roots and damage to the leaves of many agricultural crops. Atmospheric benzine concentrations are a direct indicator for this issue.

Other indicators for this issue:

Human Settlements — Liveability of human settlements - Air quality 

The major sources of benzene are motor vehicles, the burning of domestic solid fuels, lawn mowers, some industrial processes and cigarette smoking.

The health effects of exposure to benzene will depends on how much benzene you have been exposed to, for how long, and your current state of health. In certain circumstances, even a brief exposure to very high levels of benzene can result in death. Exposure can result in symptoms such as skin and eye irritations, drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, and vomiting. Benzene is carcinogenic and long-term exposure at various levels can affect normal blood production and can be harmful to the immune system. It can cause leukaemia (cancer of the tissues that form white blood cells) and has also been linked with birth defects in animals and humans.

Benzene has a high acute toxic effect on aquatic life. Long- term effects on marine life can mean shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility and changes in appearance or behaviour. It can cause death in plants and roots and damage to the leaves of many agricultural crops. Atmospheric benzine concentrations are a direct indicator for this issue.

Other indicators for this issue:

Further Information

Key

   Links to another web site
   Links to data in the DRS
   Opens a pop-up window

Before you download

Some documents are available as PDF files. You will need a PDF reader to view PDF files.
List of PDF readers 

If you are unable to access a publication, please contact us to organise a suitable alternative format.