Source of exposureĪ Assuming 5 cigarettes a day, b Assuming two litres a day Benzene Estimated daily intakes of BTEX (µg/d)ĭaily intakes are given in microgram per person, per day (µg/d)-a microgram is one millionth of a gram. This paper has been prepared by Dr Frederic Leusch and Dr Michael Bartkow from Griffith University’s Smart Water Research Centre. More detailed information on BTEX is available in the research paper A short primer on benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) in the environment and in hydraulic fracturing fluids # Australia and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council (ANZECC) Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality. †As guidance, 1 ppb is equivalent to 1 micro gram per litre, or a teaspoon of liquid in an Olympic size swimming pool. The following environmental and health standards for BTEX in fraccing fluids ensure that BTEX chemicals are not at a level that will contaminate drinking water or impact on groundwater dependant plants and animals: So to ensure these levels don’t rise above environmental and human health standards, the use of BTEX in the fraccing process has been strictly regulated, including a ban on adding these chemicals to fraccing fluid. The ambient air quality objectives to protect human and environmental health are 3 ppb for benzene, 100 ppb for toluene and up to 200 ppb for xylene-based on the ambient concentrations of these chemicals being averaged over a yearly period.īTEX chemicals occur naturally in underground water sources. In Queensland, the Environmental Protection (Air) Policy 2019 specifies guideline values for benzene, toluene and xylenes in air to ensure protection of human and environmental health. In air, different types of guidelines are available for both ambient and occupational settings. The remaining chemicals (toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) are not recognized as carcinogenic and their drinking water health guidelines are much higher-between 300 and 800 ppb. The ADWG specify that it should not be detected in drinking water at more than 1 part per billion (ppb) †. These guidelines are based on the amount of a chemical that can be ingested every day over a lifetime without adverse effect.īenzene is a known carcinogen (cancer causing). Public health guidelines for BTEX are available for drinking water in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). Exposure to BTEX from water contributes only a small percentage of the total daily intake, compared with inhaled air and dietary sources. The most common sources of exposure to BTEX compounds are from breathing contaminated air, particularly in areas of heavy motor vehicle traffic and petrol stations, and through cigarette smoke. BTEX compounds are created and used during the processing of petroleum products and during the production of consumer goods such as paints and lacquers, thinners, rubber products, adhesives, inks, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.īTEX compounds are among the most abundantly produced chemicals in the world. The primary man-made releases of BTEX compounds are through emissions from motor vehicles and aircrafts, and cigarette smoke. Other natural sources of BTEX compounds include gas emissions from volcanoes and forest fires. These compounds occur naturally in crude oil and can be found in sea water in the vicinity of natural gas and petroleum deposits. Coal seam gas information for community and landholdersīTEX refers to the chemicals benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.Air monitoring programs and investigations.Declared emergency and natural disaster information.Apply, renew or register using Online Services.
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