Tenant Notification Information for Benzene

    This webpage provides tenant notification information for benzene under Article 27 (Title 24, Section 27-2405) of the Environmental Conservation Law.

    Benzene

    Benzene is a volatile organic chemical that is a naturally occurring part of crude oil and is a product of petroleum refining. It is present in vehicle emissions, cigarette smoke, gasoline, and by burning wood and coal. Benzene occurs naturally from volcanoes and forest fires. It is used to make other chemical products including plastics, rubbers, dyes, lubricants, glues, paints, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. Benzene can often be found in air near areas where petroleum products are used, such as gas stations.  

    Sources of Benzene in Indoor Air

    Cigarette smoke, household products that contain petroleum, gasoline stored indoors, and exhaust from gasoline engines are possible sources for benzene in indoor air. Another possible source of benzene in indoor air is evaporation from contaminated well water used for household purposes. Benzene can also enter homes through soil vapor intrusion, where the chemical enters air spaces between soil particles, and into the building's indoor air.

    Levels Typically Found in Air

    The State Health Department reviewed information from studies of typical levels of benzene in indoor and outdoor air across the United States. Levels of benzene in indoor air are typically around 13 micrograms per cubic meter. Levels in outdoor air are expected to be less than 5 micrograms per cubic meter. However, benzene levels can be somewhat higher when products containing petroleum are used or stored indoors or in attached garages. Levels in outdoor air are expected to be less than 5 micrograms per cubic meter.

    Health Risks Associated with Exposure

    Human and animal studies indicate that long-term human exposure to benzene increases the risk for cancer. Many studies of workers exposed to high levels of benzene in indoor air have shown a higher risk of leukemia. Studies of laboratory animals exposed to high levels of benzene over their lifetimes have found it causes several types of cancer, including leukemia.

    Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in workplace air is linked to effects on bone marrow, blood, and immune system. Studies of long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in female workers may disrupt the menstrual cycle, although these effects are uncertain because of exposure to other chemicals and other study design weaknesses. Some humans exposed to large amounts of benzene over short periods of time have had nervous system damage and skin, eyes, nose, and lung irritation.

    Air Guideline

    The New York State Department of Health has not established a chemical-specific guideline for benzene in air. However, State Health Department guidance for benzene and other air contaminants states that reasonable and practical actions should be taken to reduce exposure when indoor air levels are above those typically found in indoor air. The urgency to take actions increases as indoor air levels increase. The benzene exposure levels that cause health effects in animals or humans are many times higher than levels typically found in indoor air.

    Ways to Limit Exposure

    The specific actions to limit benzene exposure in indoor air depend on a case-by-case evaluation. Removing household sources of benzene and good ventilation helps reduce indoor air levels of the chemical. A sub-slab depressurization system can also reduce the amount of benzene entering indoor air from soil vapor intrusion. Filtering drinking water using an activated carbon filter can also reduce the amount of the chemical indoor air by addressing contaminated well water.

    Reportable Detection Level

    The reportable detection level for a chemical varies depending on the laboratory analytical method used, the laboratory performing the analysis, and other factors. Most laboratories use the analytical methods recommended by the State Health Department and approved by the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference or New York State's Environmental Laboratory Approval Program. This method can detect the chemical at concentrations below1 microgram per cubic mete..

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