Indicator: A-23 Concentration of benzene in urban areas
Data
Emissions of benzene to air in capital cities, 2003-04
Source: National Pollutant Inventory, 2003-04 data,
Highest annual average benzene levels in NSW (1996-2001) compared with future EC and UK goals
Source: NSW Environment Protection Authority 2000, Ambient Air Quality Research project (1996-2001): Dioxins, Organics, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals, NSW Government, Sydney.
| Concentration (ppb) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual average | Maximum | 90th percentile | Minimum | |
| Benzene | 1.44 | 17.6 | 2.95 | 0.1 |
Source: Department of Environmental Protection 2000, Volatile Organic Compounds Monitoring in Perth: Baseline Air Toxics Project, Western Australian Government, Perth.
What the data mean
The data shows the main sources of benzene emissions for some capital cities for 2003-04. The main source of emissions for all cities was motor vehicles. Domestic solid fuel burning (e.g. wood heaters) and lawn mowing are also major contributors to benzene emissions.
Data Limitations
Data on the concentrations of benzene is sporadic. 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 - Urban 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 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 including 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 concentrations of benzene are a direct indicator for this issue.
Other indicators for this issue:
- A-17 Concentrations of carbon monoxide in urban areas
- A-18 Concentrations of ozone in urban areas
- A-19 Concentration of lead in urban areas
- A-20 Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in urban areas
- A-21 Concentration of sulphur dioxide in urban areas
- A-22 Concentration of Particles PM10 and PM2.5 in urban areas
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 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 including 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 concentrations of benzene are a direct indicator for this issue.
Other indicators for this issue:
- A-17 Concentrations of carbon monoxide in urban areas
- A-18 Concentrations of ozone in urban areas
- A-19 Concentration of lead in urban areas
- A-20 Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in urban areas
- A-21 Concentration of sulphur dioxide in urban areas
- A-22 Concentration of Particles PM10 and PM2.5 in urban areas
- A-24 Concentrations of carbon monoxide in regional areas
- A-25 Concentrations of ozone in regional areas
- A-26 Concentrations of lead in regional areas
- A-27 Concentration of nitrogen dioxide in regional areas
- A-28 Concentrations of sulphur dioxide in regional areas
- A-29 Concentrations of Particles PM10 and PM2.5 in regional areas
- A-30 Concentration of benzene in regional areas
- CO-70 Examples or case studies of localised impacts of windborne dust and smoke
Further Information
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