Seasonal and diurnal measurement of ambient benzene at a high traffic inflation site in Delhi: Health risk assessment and its possible role in ozone formation pathways

Abstract

Benzene is the most toxic and hazardous pollutant among volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as it comes under group 1 carcinogens recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). It also plays a significant role in forming secondary pollutants like ozone. The benzene concentration was measured using a charcoal sorbent tube by active sampling at a traffic junction and analysis was done using GC-FID. The maximum average concentration of benzene in ambient air was found to be 33 μg/m<sup>3</sup>. A diurnal study of benzene measurement shows higher benzene concentrations in the evening compared to the morning. Seasonal variation of benzene is found to be winter > spring > summer > autumn > monsoon and OFP was found to be 21, 19, 14, 13, and 10 respectively. Cancer (ILCR) and non-cancer (HQ) health risk assessment was done to determine the impact of ambient benzene on the residents of urban areas. The yearly average value of ILCR was found to be 2×10<sup>-6</sup> ± 1×10<sup>-6</sup> which ranges from acceptable value to three times the WHO acceptable value i.e 1×10<sup>-6</sup>. The correlation of ozone and its precursor, benzene with meteorological parameters is also evaluated. The correlation of benzene and ozone with solar radiation shows the influence of photochemical reactions on the levels of benzene and ozone at the study site, although it is low.

Benzene: A critical review on measurement methodology, certified reference material, exposure limits with its impact on human health and mitigation strategies

“…Due to its detrimental health impacts, continuous monitoring of this pollutant is necessary. Several studies have been conducted in major hotspot areas around the world [2,3,15,21,31,35,47,75,[103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111]. Literature related to observed values of benzene and other VOCs at fuel stations has been published [2,[112][113][114][115][116][117].…”

“…Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes, collectively known as BTEX, are highly hazardous aromatic group of toxic pollutants among all volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies "Benzene" as a known human carcinogen [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Benzene is also included in the list of 12 pollutants of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) 2009) [7] that has an annual exposure limit 5 µ g/m3.…”

Investigation of BTX Concentrations and Effects of Meteorological Parameters in the Steelpoort Area of Limpopo Province, South Africa

“…Studies on the fluctuations of BTX in metropolitan regions' atmosphere across time and space, in both established and developing nations, have demonstrated that BTX are linked to certain activities such as oil refineries, petrochemical industries and vehicle emissions [20,21]. Of all of the sources reported, gasoline is the one that has received much attention in the past decades [22][23][24]. The major component of gasoline is benzene, which is released from gasoline engines.…”

Pulmonary vascular disease, environmental pollution, and climate change

“… 5 The rise in global temperatures will also cause increased water pollution from oil spills, 6 and humidity and stagnant air will also increase benzene concentrations and ozone formation. 7 Food scarcity from failed crops, 8 water shortages 9 from droughts and pollution are already causing mass migrations due to inhabitable land, famine and war 10 ; the disappearance of entire ecosystems is causing such severe biodiversity loss that a 6th mass extinction is frequently evoked. 11 Furthermore, the combined challenges of pollution and climate change may lead to a massive collapse of public services, and in particular of health care infrastructure.…”

“…Indeed, assuming stable population and emissions, heatwaves and atmospheric stagnation are expected to increase the concentration of airborne pollutants in China by 2050, causing a 39% and 6% increase in mortality among the Chinese population, respectively 5 . The rise in global temperatures will also cause increased water pollution from oil spills, 6 and humidity and stagnant air will also increase benzene concentrations and ozone formation 7 . Food scarcity from failed crops, 8 water shortages 9 from droughts and pollution are already causing mass migrations due to inhabitable land, famine and war 10 ; the disappearance of entire ecosystems is causing such severe biodiversity loss that a 6th mass extinction is frequently evoked 11 .…”