Environmental
Benzene Exposure
Although benzene exposure normally
occurs in the workplace, there have been many instances of Industrial
discharge, disposal of products containing benzene, and gasoline
leaks from underground storage tanks that have released benzene
into our soil and water supplies.
The Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has responded and set the maximum permissible level of benzene
in drinking water at 0.005 milligrams per liter (0.005 mg/L).
The EPA requires that spills or accidental releases into the environment
of 10 pounds or more of benzene be repolirted to the EPA immediately.
UPDATED:
What happens to benzene when it enters the environment?
- Industrial processes are the main source of benzene in the environment.
- Benzene can pass into the air from water and soil.
- It reacts with other chemicals in the air and breaks down within a few days.
- Benzene in the air can attach to rain or snow and be carried back down to the ground.
- It breaks down more slowly in water and soil, and can pass through the soil into underground water.
- Benzene does not build up in plants or animals.
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