Scientific basis for an air quality standard on benzene

The European Union is developing a comprehensive programme of air quality standards (AQS), including benzene. For that purpose, CONCAWE has reviewed the data to support a scientifically derived AQS for benzene and has concluded that 30 ppb (96 micrograms/m3) as an annual TWA could be used as a basis. The conclusion is based on the NOAEL of acute myelocytic and monocytic leukaemia (AMML), which is considered to be the critical effect, derived from an occupational epidemiological mortality study, to which adjustment factors were applied.