Unacceptable Benzene Levels in Cars
Unacceptable benzene levels in cars are determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations governing hazardous pollutants.
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Regulation
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Because benzene is known to cause cancer in humans, the EPA and OSHA limit its levels to 5 parts benzene per billion parts water and 1 part benzene per million parts air over eight hours, respectively. To be considered unacceptable inside cars, benzene levels must exceed OSHA's standard of 1 part per million parts interior air during an eight-hour period.
Occurrence
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Some automobile interior components contain benzene. Research shows that while these components may emit benzene, the emissions do not present a health risk.
EPA regulations deal specifically with acceptable benzene levels in gasoline sold in the United States. As such, the regulations also govern the maximum benzene content allowed in automotive gas tanks, fixing that limit at 1.3 percent by volume.
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Considerations
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From 2007 through 2010, U.S. refineries produced gasoline with an average benzene content of 1.055 percent by volume. Of 110 refineries that were surveyed, 42.5 percent produced gasoline with benzene content above 1.3 percent by volume.
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References
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Control of Hazardous Air Pollutants from Mobile Sources: Final Rule to Reduce Mobile Source Air Toxics
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: ToxFAQs for Benzene
- "Environmental Science and Technology;" Toxicity of Parked Motor Vehicle Indoor Air; Jeroen T. M. Buters et al; March 2, 2007
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Summary and Analysis of the 2008 Gasoline Benzene Pre-Compliance Reports
- "The New York Times;" E.P.A. Limits the Benzene in Gasoline by 2011; Felicity Barringer; Feb. 10, 2007
Resources
- Photo Credit exhaust fulmes image by bilderbox from Fotolia.com
