Toxic substances list: benzene

Benzene is used in Canada in a variety of ways that result in it entering the Canadian environment. Vehicle emissions are the major source of benzene release to the environment. Releases of benzene result in measurable concentrations in the various media to which humans and other organisms may be exposed. In Canada, the primary source of human exposure to benzene is ambient and indoor air; food and drinking water contribute only minor amounts to the daily intake of benzene.

CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) registry number: 71-43-2

For more information on this substance, please visit the Chemical Substances website.

Risk Assessment

• Priority Substances List Assessment Report
• CEPA 1999 Schedule 1 - List of Toxic Substances - This substance has been added to the List of Toxic Substances. It is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that:
  c) constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.
• Full life cycle management of the substance (Track 2) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy

Sources

This substance is entering the environment from the following source(s):

• Environmental Emergency
• Natural Gas Dehydrators
• Steel Manufacturing Sector
• Vehicles, Engines and Fuels

Risk Management Tools

Tool(s) developed to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Benzene in Gasoline Regulations
• Environmental Emergency Regulations
• Environmental Code of Practice for Non-Integrated Steel Mills
• Environmental Code of Practice for Integrated Steel Mills
• Best Management Practices (BMP) for the Control of Benzene Emissions from Natural Gas Dehydrators (PDF 314 kb)  
• On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations
• Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations
• Off-Road Compression-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations
• Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Canada-wide Standard for Benzene (Phase 1)
• Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Canada-wide Standard for Benzene (Phase 2)
• Gasoline and Gasoline Blend Dispensing Flow Rate Regulations

Other Information

• National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) - Information Centre
• North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation Web Site
• Air Online - Information Centre

Contact

Substances Management Information Line
Chemicals Management Plan
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3
Telephone: 1-800-567-1999 (in Canada) or 819-938-3232
Fax: 819-938-3231
E-mail: substances@ec.gc.ca

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