Benzene Levels

Indicator Type: Environmental Condition

Benzene is part of the large group of chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Motor vehicle emissions are the main source of benzene in Alberta. This indicator shows trends in annual average benzene concentrations.

More about benzene

Return to Top

Trend: Improving

What does the indicator show?

Annual average benzene concentrations have significantly decreased from 1990 to 2007. All trends shown above are statistically significant. Overall, concentrations have been reduced by 88% at Edmonton Central, 52% at Edmonton East and 94% at Calgary Central. The reductions in ambient benzene concentrations at urban locations, shown in the above figure, are mainly the result of regulations to lower the benzene content of gasoline and regulations to improve the emission performance of on-road vehicles in Canada (CCME, 2002).  

Return to Top

Why is this indicator important?

Benzene is a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance). Long-term exposure can lead to reproductive effects or birth defects. Short-term exposure to benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness and headaches. It can also irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Besides these serious health effects, benzene can be harmful to the environment.

Return to Top

What actions are being taken?

In June 2000 the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) ratified the Canada-Wide Standard (CWS) for Benzene - Phase 1. This agreement committed the Ministers at the federal, provincial (excluding Quebec) and territorial levels to achieve 30 per cent reductions in national benzene emissions between 1995 and 2000. Alberta’s implementation of the CWS for Benzene is focused on three industrial sectors, including natural gas dehydrators, petroleum refineries and chemical manufacturing plants. Emission reduction initiatives by the Alberta Government have led to an overall 50 percent decrease in benzene emissions from industry and vehicles between 1995 and 1999.

In October 2001, Phase 2 of the CWS for benzene was endorsed by the provinces and territories (excluding Quebec). Phase 2 establishes a six-kilotonne reduction in national benzene emissions (in addition to the 30 per cent reduction proposed for Phase 1) by 2010. More information on the Canada-Wide Standard for Benzene is available from the CCME website.

As part of Alberta’s implementation of Phase 2 of the Canada-Wide Standard for Benzene, the Benzene Technical Advisory Team (phase 2) was established to monitor and support the implementation of efforts to control benzene emissions and to establish the lowest practicable levels of benzene at facilities in the upstream oil and gas industry. The Benzene Technical Advisory Team is made up of representatives from provincial government (Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia), federal government, industry and non-government organizations. The following are the current goals of the Benzene Technical Advisory Team:

1. Identify material sources of benzene emissions.
2. Initiate and manage projects for reductions in benzene emissions from upstream oil and gas industry.
3. Monitor the effectiveness of existing regulations relating to benzene emissions from upstream oil and gas.
4. Revise and streamline existing regulations relating to benzene emissions from upstream oil and gas.
5. Transition the management of existing benzene monitoring programs to regulators.

Return to Top

Links to additional information

More information on volatile organic compounds: http://www.casadata.org/pollutants/vol_compounds.asp

CCME Canada-Wide Standard for Benzene: http://www.ccme.ca/ourwork/air.html?category_id=98

Canada-wide Standard for Benzene Phase 1 - National Summary Annual Progress Report: http://www.ccme.ca/assets/pdf/bzph1ntnlsmry_15jan02_e.pdf (PDF)

Canada-Wide Standard for Benzene – Alberta’s Phase 1 Progress Report (2001): http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/protenf/standards/cws_participation/publications/Benzene-Phase1ProgressReport2001.pdf (PDF)

2002 Ambient Air Benzene Update: http://www.ccme.ca/assets/pdf/ambient_air_benzene_update_2002.pdf (PDF)

2003 Ambient Air Benzene Update: http://www.ccme.ca/assets/pdf/ambient_air_benzene03.pdf (PDF)

Return to Top

Feedback

E-mail the SOE Coordinator: SOE.Coordinator@gov.ab.ca or complete this short on-line questionnaire to provide your feedback: http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB224DW6P3E2K.

Return to Top