Foul Smell in New York City Boroughs Associated with Elevated Benzene Levels

By Daniel Hawn

Published on August 26, 2006

Ian Michaels, a DEP spokesperson, said the elevated benzene levels were detected last week by an air monitor perched atop Borough Hall in St. George. Whereas the level of benzene in the air typically is .9 parts per billion, last week’s measurement detected the chemical in 3 or 4 parts per billion. The raise in benzene coincided with the arrival of the foul odor in the two New York City boroughs.

Although the level of benzene was found to be higher than normal, the amount was nowhere near the emergency response level, which is 169 parts per billion. Michaels said that two or three times a year, the levels of benzene and other compounds are slightly raised in the air but not to the point of emergency action. He said that there is no way of knowing whether the recent elevation in benzene caused the bad smell. That the two events occurred together may simply be a coincidence, he said.

Benzene is a Group A human carcinogen commonly found in gasoline, crude oil, and cigarette smoke. The chemical is also used in the production of many different types of products, including synthetic fibers, resins, plastics, and drugs.

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