WHAT IS BENZENE?
Benzene, also known as benzol, is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor. Benzene evaporates into air very quickly and dissolves slightly in water. Benzene is highly flammable. Most people can begin to smell benzene in air at approximately 60 parts of benzene per million parts of air (ppm) and recognize it as benzene at 100 ppm. Most people can begin to taste benzene in water at 0.5– 4.5 ppm. One part per million is approximately equal to one drop in 40 gallons. Benzene is
found in air, water, and soil. Benzene comes from both industrial and natural sources.
INDUSTRIAL SOURCES AND USES
Benzene was first discovered and isolated from coal tar in the 1800s. Today, benzene is made mostly from petroleum. Because of its wide use, benzene ranks in the top 20 in production volume for chemicals produced in the United States. Various industries use benzene to make other chemicals, such as styrene (for Styrofoam® and other plastics), cumene (for various resins), and cyclohexane (for nylon and synthetic fibers). Benzene is also used in the manufacturing of some types of rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides.
NATURAL SOURCES OF BENZENE
Natural sources of Benzene, which include gas emissions from volcanoes and forest fires, also contribute to the presence of benzene in the environment.
Benzene is also present in crude oil and gasoline and cigarette smoke.
Source: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2014-03/documents/benzene_toxicological_profile_tp3_3v.pdf
Sample Kit Shipping, Turnaround Time, and Reporting
Once you place your order, you will receive your water testing kit within 5-7 business days. Follow the water sampling instructions included in the kit and return the kit using the pre-paid return shipping label.
Once your sample is received by our laboratory, you will receive your results within 5-working days.
Your analytical data reports are emailed in .pdf format.
Note: The reported analytical data contained within the Benzene test report are NOT to be used for compliance purpose.
