Benzene at Memorial Academy
This page last reviewed October 21, 2010
Background
One of the important contributors to health risk from air pollution, benzene is a clear, colorless liquid with
a sickly, sweet odor. Volatile organic compounds are readily released from this liquid into the air. Benzene can
cause central nervous system depression and increased incidences of leukemia. California has determined under Assembly
Bill 1807 and Proposition 65 that benzene is a cancer-causing compound. The ARB has taken regulatory actions to
reduce benzene emissions.
The predominant sources of benzene emissions in the atmosphere are gasoline evaporation and gasoline motor vehicle
exhaust. Mobile sources contribute 85% and industry-related stationary sources contribute 15% of the statewide
emissions. Approximately 70% of mobile source benzene emissions are from on-road motor vehicles, with the remainder
from non-road mobile sources, such as industrial processes to make resin and synthetic fibers. Indoor benzene sources
include tobacco smoke, heating and cooking systems, evaporation from various products used in the home or work
area, and drift from outdoor automobile exhaust. Benzene is also emitted naturally from volcanoes and forest fires,
and occurs as a natural constituent of crude oil and plant volatiles.
The Air Resources Board (ARB) adopted a benzene control measure in 1987, which requires many gasoline stations
to install vapor recovery systems. In 1990s, the ambient benzene levels showed a steady downward trend, based on
the statewide annual average. The 2000 statewide ambient benzene concentration was approximately 72% lower than
that in 1990.
Ambient Monitoring Results
Ambient levels of benzene are routinely monitored at approximately twenty sites in the California air toxics monitoring
network. The statewide average concentration of benzene during 1998-2000 was 0.8 ppb (parts per billion), based
on values ranging from 0.1 ppb to 9.9 ppb. Relative to the statewide average, the San Diego region was 7% lower
for the same time period, based on values ranging from 0.1 ppb to 3.1 ppb.
The ambient monitoring results at Memorial Academy are provided here:
- A graph comparing the monthly summaries of benzene at Memorial Academy with historical statewide and regional levels
- A table of summary statistics
- Raw data in Excel format
Cancer Risk
Cancer risk is the number of excess cancer cases among a million people if the people are exposed to levels of a toxic air pollutant over 70 years. Nine measured compounds, which do not include diesel particulate matter, make up most of the estimated cancer risk at Memorial Academy. Benzene represents approximately 38% of the cancer risk of the nine measured compounds.
