Concentrations of benzene and other volatile organic compounds

Do concentrations of benzene and other volatile organic compounds meet EU air quality standards?

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are airborne compounds generated through combustion, but also by products containing solvents. They cause respiratory irritations and other genetic and nervous disorders, depending on factors such as length of exposure. Mepa monitors the VOCs benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes. Benzene becomes a pollutant in air when it is released through the distribution of petrol or its incomplete combustion.

Average annual atmospheric concentrations of benzene remained almost constant in 2008 (latest data available), increasing slightly from 2.2μg/m³ to 2.3μg/m³. Benzene levels increased in most localities, but as in previous years, in 2008 no locality average exceeded the EU limit value of 5μg/m³ (not to be exceeded by 2010). In terms of particular sites, the highest concentration was recorded at St Anne Street, Floriana (6.4μg/m³), decreasing slightly from 6.5μg/m³ in 2007, while average annual concentrations at Valley Road, Birkirkara, were borderline, at 5.1μg/m³.

Annual average ambient concentrations of the solvent toluene increased slightly by 0.5µg/m³ in 2007 to 16.2µg/m³ in 2008. There are no recommended limits for ambient toluene, although a 19,100µg/m3 limit exists for workplace exposure. No recommended limits are available for ethylbenzene and xylene. The annual ambient concentration of ethylbenzene in 2008 was 3.6µg/m3, compared to 3.2µg/m3 in 2007, while annual ambient concentrations of mp-xylene and o-xylene were 9.6µg/m³ and 3.9µg/m³ respectively in 2008, up slightly from the 9.4µg/m³ and 3.6µg/m³ concentrations in 2007.