Environmental levels of benzene at the boundaries of three European refineries

Report no. 99/57: A year-long study of benzene-in-air concentrations at the boundaries of three refineries has been carried out.The sampling technique employed was passive diffusion tubes. Sampling locations were fixed at 12 or 16 points around the refineries.Continuous samples were collected for 26 two-week periods to provide the annual averages for each sampling location.

Two-weekly wind direction data were also gathered at each refinery.The results reflect the relative sizes and complexities of the three refineries.Variations between the two-weekly samples reflect changes in wind direction and occasional operational events and incidents.