Benzene

A highly-volatile, aromatic compound. Benzene is a component of mineral oil, petrol and coking plant and other products. Particularly high concentrations of benzene are encountered in the vicinity of filling stations, fuel tank storage sites, and refineries. Benzene is very harmful to the health and is capable, depending on its concentration, of producing changes in the blood pattern, chromosome changes, and even leukaemie (blood cancer).

Benzene escape from Motor Vehicles together with the petrol vapours during operation and when stationary, as well as during storage, transport, loading and unloading, or the filling with petrol motor fuel. Emissions from Motor Vehicles can be prevented with activated charcoal filters (carbon traps), of the kind used in controlled Three-way Catalyzer.